Cloud Solutions: Is It Right For Me?

    

Cloud technology has been becoming more prevalent in society during recent years. From big businesses to everyday tasks, there are many benefits of cloud technology. Being able to access data remotely and performing business online is changing the face of how businesses operate, but that does not mean it is for everyone. Many businesses still operate with traditional means and have no such need for cloud technology. There are also users who enjoy a mix of both as one does not entirely fit their business needs.  As the business infrastructure evolves, the main question here is what solution is right for you?

How Do You Conduct Your Business?

There are many ways to conduct business and it is unique to many businesses. The ones we will be focusing on today are on-premise and cloud/SaaS.

1. On-premise

The classic way to do business. A copy or license of the software is purchased for the entire company to use. Everyone comes to the office to conduct business as the software is kept on work computers. While having everything stored on servers in-office may seem to be safer and cost-effective, there are potential downsides as well.

Pros

  • Cost - It is usually a one-time cost and updates are subject to business needs
  • Control - All the data, hardware, and personal information are kept where you need it
  • Local Control - Your business is still able to run with just the software alone. If the internet goes out there are many processes still available to you
Cons
  • Upfront Costs - Although it may be a one-time purchase, it is still a costly one, made to be an investment over a long period of time. This also means maintenance costs to ensure support and functionality upgrades
  • Scalability - Upgrades are often more difficult to implement as the initial purchase is often purpose-built and integrations are deeply rooted
  • Security - Your protection of data is only as good as you make it. If there are no backups, or backup plans in case something goes wrong then the data is at much greater risk. This can also mean investing in more resources to ensure data is safe meaning increased costs

 

2. Cloud/SaaS

Cloud/SaaS is based on the premise that information is stored in an online server called a "cloud." This cloud is hosted and maintained by a company that sells cloud base solutions, users have access to this cloud via a protected portal. Software as a service, or SaaS, is where the software is now offered in an online subscription format. Users enjoy many of the features of the software, without having to maintain it as heavily as traditional software as the upkeep is done vendor side.

Pros

  • Costs - Subscription-based, with upgrades and maintenance baked into the costs so no hidden or extra fees
  • Security - Since it is a hosted software, the security, maintenance, and functionality are all accounted for meaning no resources are spent on your end on potential IT support
  • Scalability - Since many companies offer a variety of services, it is easy to scale up or down based on your business needs

Cons

  • Deep Integration- Cloud is still in development so companies who have started from on-premise and are now embracing the cloud do not fully have an integration with all their products. Complex solutions may be difficult.
  • Long-term Costs - Although the cloud is cheaper initially, over the span of a business's life cycle it may prove to be more costly. Justifying this will depend on the your business.
  • Reliability - As the software is operated via internet, if the internet goes out or there is a problem server side, your company will potentially lose access to its operations until the problem is solved.

 

3. Hybrid Cloud

If neither of those solutions quite fit your business's needs, there is also the possibility of a hybrid cloud model. This is usually in the form of a custom, private or public cloud-based infrastructure, which can be more in line with how to conduct your business. Many companies operate on hybrid cloud infrastructure, and as some applications benefit more from a cloud application, others are easier to operate on-premise. It creates more flexibility when it comes to costs, reliability, and overall workflow.

Pros
  • Increased agility, mobility, and innovation - With business infrastructure ever-changing, responding to demands is easier when not directly locked into on-premise or cloud solutions
  • Increased Flexibility - With the option of on-premise or cloud, a business can easily choose which process better suits their needs
  • Enhanced Security - Being able to choose what information is stored where can ensure your crucial data is stored close, while also having the ability to store it in a private or public cloud along with other information

 

Cons
  • Hardware Costs and Implementation - Additional hardware costs may be incurred when hosting traditional on-premise technology as well as private cloud technology as well as time spent implementing them
  • Management - Hosting multiple technologies means keeping track of each one and making sure your data is adequately organized 
  • Compatibility - While a business can run different software for different purposes, the more complex it is, the more possibility for compatibility issues between software

 

 

Conclusion

Staying up to date with the latest cloud news will make sure your next business upgrade is your best one. Choosing how to run your business isn't easy, especially if it is something new to you and your employees. To make your life easier, BAASS offers a variety of solutions to make sure you are getting the best solutions for your business needs. If you want to learn more, click here and speak to an expert today. 

Aron dela Cruz

About The Author

Aron dela Cruz

Aron has great understanding of Sage and Microsoft Business Management Software Solutions. At BAASS, Aron works inside the Marketing Department as a Marketing Coordinator, he utilizes his insight on tech trends and creativity to produce modern content that educates clients on the unique offerings at BAASS Business Solutions