Choosing between using cloud services and hosting on-site is a big strategic decision that business owners must make. There could be many reasons leading to such situations. For instance, the server capacity is maxed out or the business needs new capabilities for better operations or keeping all that crucial information at one place does not appear to be secure. Cloud backup for business is an outsourced service that might appear as an additional expense for the business. But on the other hand, servers do need regular maintenance and you need a professional team to handle those requests.
There are, broadly, three options to consider:
- On-site, self-hosting
- Cloud hosting
- Multi-tenancy (where multiple users can pool resources and offset costs)
But before making that decision it is important to consider some factors like; how many users do you have, what is the need of your business, do you want always-on infrastructure, how solid is your reliance on a mobile workforce.
Hosting on-site
The meaning of On-site hosting is you own the company’s IT infrastructure and house it at your premises. It means you are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the servers. This means you don’t share storage space or computing power with others.
Advantages of Hosting On-Site
Complete control over the data and backups. This improves confidentiality.
No internet connection required to access data from the systems that are connected to the servers.
Cost-effective solution over a longer period (Approx. 7-years period, the maximum server warranty available)
Data can be accessed quickly by the team members.
Disadvantages of Hosting On-Site
Capital investment in hardware and regular upgrades
Dedicated company IT support team to secure and maintain servers
Needs specially designed space to set up in the office
More chances of data loss due to any unforeseen circumstances
Uncertainties about recovery or uptimes.
Cloud services and cloud backup for business
Cloud services are hosted on remote servers over the internet. A business gets access to the latest technologies and services earlier as the cost of applying these is shared by thousands and in some cases, millions of users.
For many businesses, security is one of the major concerns when it comes to cloud backup for business. As per research around 70% of IT professionals trust the cloud services for storing crucial information.
Advantages of Cloud Backup Services
You only pay for the storage space you are using.
No need to maintain expensive infrastructure and an IT support team.
Storage needs can be met on demand.
Lower downtime compared to hosting on-site.
Even smartphones can be used to trigger backups remotely.
It provides security against the physical destruction of servers.
Disadvantages of Cloud Backup Services
Businesses that don’t need constant up-time may not have many advantages
Data recovery costs are significantly higher.
Internet connectivity becomes a huge factor in business operations.
As a result, you must have multiple internet connections to be on the safer side.
No control over the maintenance period and security of the cloud server.
A Reliable Business IT Solutions Provider In Kitchener
At EMKAL, we help small and mid-size businesses in Kitchener find and implement data storage and computing strategies. Call us today and schedule a free consultation with a business IT solutions advisor.
