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.

Not sure which solution you need? That’s where we come in. Call Warwick today to discuss your options.