The choice between implementing in the cloud (the cloud) or implementing it in the company’s own premises (on-premises) is a very important decision that should not be taken lightly, but taken into account with all its advantages and disadvantages. to determine the best option for us.
Current projections are that by 2025 the global cloud computing industry will reach $832.1 billion. And while this has become popular over the last decade, the truth is that 98% of companies are not yet ready to give up on-premises servers. So why do we find such a difference of opinion when it comes to choosing one IT infrastructure model or another?
Cloud computing offers many advantages such as price or ease of accessibility and scalability. As a result, local systems can have greater transparency, control and security. But the truth is that there are many other factors that need to be taken into account when deciding which option is best for our business. For this, it is necessary to know the advantages and disadvantages of each model and to be very clear about the specific requirements and objectives of our company.
Fortunately, today’s market offers us a wide range of on-premises and cloud-based solutions, as is the case with LOOK DS in the digital signage sector. If you have doubts about which option to choose, we recommend that you take a look at this comparison to evaluate some factors such as cost, safety and convenience. Elearning Adamson
Software Comparison: Cloud vs. Local
A dilemma that causes more uncertainty when choosing between on-premise or cloud-based solutions is the location of the software. Unlike cloud software, which is hosted by the provider’s software and easily accessible through a web browser, on-premises software is configured locally on the company’s computers and servers.
In addition, it is very important to consider other factors such as price, ownership, upgrades, and optional services such as implementation and support. In this sense, we will evaluate in detail the advantages and disadvantages of this analysis.
In the workplace vs. Cloud: Why Choose a Cloud Solution?
Advantages of the Cloud
There are many advantages that we can enjoy thanks to cloud computing solutions. Here are some of the most prominent ones:
- Cloud servers are operated by a third party, which means significant resource savings for IT departments when it comes to updating computer software, installing new software or performing tasks of this nature.
- Cloud computing services also provide significant financial savings on storage equipment that is often needed as the amount of data increases.
- It is not necessary to invest a lot of money for this. It is only necessary to pay the maintenance of the service monthly or annually.
- Cloud solutions are more efficient and productive, as they allow us to access our data from anywhere, as long as we have an internet connection.
- Spending limits are flexible, you can pay only for what is used or advanced for cloud services. Also, some services can be added, removed or deleted from the plan, and the cost can be adjusted to fit our budget.
- With the backup options provided by cloud servers, we can recover lost data with great ease. That way, you can have the peace of mind of having a backup in case the original gets damaged or lost.
Cloud Defects
Although cloud solutions offer many advantages, the truth is that they are not perfect and also have some disadvantages as listed below:
- It is only useful if we have a stable and uninterrupted internet connection to work with.
- In general, the initial cost of a cloud solution is cheaper, but the total cost of ownership can increase over time as more storage space is required.
In the Workplace vs. Cloud: Why Choose an On-Premises Solution?
Local Benefits (In the Workplace)
Some of the advantages of local solutions located on the company’s own premises:
- Authority over server equipment is enhanced as upgrades and modifications can be handled by the company’s IT staff rather than having to outsource this type of service to a third party as is the case with on-premises computing solutions. a cloud.
- Monthly costs are lower as you don’t need an internet connection to work.
- On-premises solutions are more secure as they are not hosted in the cloud, so there is no risk of other unauthorized people accessing our data.
Disadvantage
Some of the most notable disadvantages of choosing an on-premises solution are:
- High initial cost. The implementation of a system of this type in the company’s premises requires, in general, a very high initial investment. But on top of that, you must add the related expenses to the price of regular maintenance to enjoy continued service and enhanced benefits.
- When we use a locally hosted solution, it is the company itself that is responsible for updating and maintaining all electronic equipment and server software, as well as storing and recovering data if it is lost or damaged. In these cases, small businesses can be more complicated, as they have fewer resources.
- On-premises solutions take longer as the software needs to be installed on the servers and on all laptops and desktops.
What Makes the Cloud a Better Option than Keeping Everything On-Premises?
In short, after evaluating all the advantages and disadvantages of both models, we came to the conclusion that cloud solutions are the best option, as they allow the company to focus on what is really important, instead of having to dedicate time to mundane tasks such as maintaining or upgrading systems.
But in addition, this type of solution allows users to access stored information instantly from anywhere and through any device. So it comes as no surprise that it has become the preferred choice for businesses in the UK, with penetration levels reaching nearly 90% in 2018.
However, we cannot emphasize this, because the choice will depend a lot on the needs of the company itself. Fortunately, we now have software solutions that allow you to take advantage of both models, so companies unable to decide can get the best of both worlds.