On-Premise vs. Cloud vs. Hybrid: Choosing the Right Solution for your Business

At a very high level, there are generally three ways IT and communications services can be deployed: on-premise, cloud or a mix of the two (hybrid). We truly believe that the business benefits of the cloud are undeniable; however, sometimes adopting an entirely cloud-based solution isn’t feasible or practical. Learn a little more about each type of solution below to determine which is right for your business.

On-Premise

With an on-premise solution, hardware and applications are stored at the organization’s place of business or another location they choose, usually within a data center.

Cloud

With a cloud-based solution, your server is hosted by a third party with no need for on-site hardware. Information can be stored on a public cloud or a private cloud.

Public

Utilizing a public cloud, a business shares hardware and storage with other organizations. Information is stored in the provider’s data center but remains separate from other organization’s data.

Private

A private cloud consists of resources only used by one organization. Data resides on that company’s intranet or a hosted data center where it’s protected with a firewall.

Hybrid

A hybrid solution involves a mix of in-house resources and cloud services. Often referred to as the “best of both worlds,” a hybrid solution allows companies to have control of on-premise hardware with the flexibility and scalability of the cloud. Alternatively, a hybrid solution can also be one that uses a mix of public and private cloud services based on the company’s needs.

Which Solution is Right for You?

When it comes down to it, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to business communications. Each business has its own unique needs and requirements based on its size, number of locations, budget, and more. A couple of questions to ask yourself when deciding:

• Do you already have the in-house infrastructure in place that you plan to keep? You may want to consider a hybrid solution that utilizes that infrastructure in addition to offering cloud flexibility.
• Is there significant or undetermined growth ahead? A cloud-based solution offers the ultimate in scalability, generally allowing for unlimited growth.
• Are your IT resources scarce? When utilizing a cloud solution, the vendor is responsible for operation and management.
• Are there certain industry rules and regulations your company must comply with? You may not be permitted to store all of your data on a public cloud. If that’s the case, a hybrid option that utilizes a mix of on-premise, private cloud, and public cloud solutions may make the most sense.
• Are you working with a limited budget? Cloud solutions usually offer the most affordability since many upfront costs, such as equipment and space, are avoided.

So, hybrid, cloud, or on-premise? That’s where we come in. Call Warwick today to discuss your options.