22 Jul Is your data backup appropriate for the way your business operates?
The modern digital age that we live in has changed the way we work in many ways – none more so than the transition many have made to a remote work setting that has only been made possible by the Cloud.
The Cloud has allowed businesses to have a secondary work team from remote settings with very little change to the way that you operate on-premise. This is now only possible as it allows your team to still have access to the important sensitive data that allows them to complete their duties. The Cloud is an IT component – whether it be hardware, software, or storage – which is used on an access basis. Using the Cloud means paying for a service as opposed to the infrastructure behind it.
The modern world has caused the Cloud to become the most popular option to businesses worldwide. What advantages it makes possible are simply too good to pass up for most, and businesses all over the world are converting from their traditional ‘on-premise’ IT to the better equipped, easier to manage Cloud. We will explore the features that make the Cloud so ground-breaking throughout the blog series.
The Cloud – like every other digital advancement – isn’t for everyone, as some still need their on-premise IT infrastructure, and some would suit a mixture of both on-premise IT and the Cloud. This all depends on the primary business function that takes place on your on-premise IT (those functions that without an internet connection would be entirely impossible on the Cloud).
It can be a very difficult task to choose one system without knowing the benefits of both and knowing which one would be right for your business. We will now explore the benefits of the Cloud and on-premise IT and help you to make the right decision regarding your migration.
The positives of the Cloud
Backup
The Cloud gives you confidence that your data is safe from the most common cyber threats, failure, and any disruption that can impact traditional on-premise IT. However, you also need to ensure that you have copies hosted elsewhere in order to further mitigate the risk of loss, deletion, or theft.
Scalability
Your operation will have the ability to scale up or down as and when you need with the Cloud. The Cloud allows you to meet the demands of your business as you grow or – on the other hand – downsize, keeping costs affordable, whilst being certain that the tools you are using are as effective as they can be.
Collaboration
Collaboration is one of the key features of the Cloud. The Cloud allows you to communicate and share work from anywhere on the globe with an internet connection, and it allows employees (no matter where they are) to work on a document simultaneously with other employees elsewhere.
Business Continuity
You must protect your data by backing it up in the Cloud, as this plays a massive part in your business continuity planning. You must – with the way of the modern world – be able to get back to work and access your data again quickly in the eventuality of an attack. The Cloud makes it possible to conduct business at some semblance of a normal rate whilst minimising loss of productivity and limiting downtime.
The cost
The Cloud removes the cost of managing your own IT. Most providers include system upgrades, new hardware and software in your monthly payments as opposed to you having to do it yourself at a substantial additional cost (as with traditional IT). It even has the ability to save you money on wages – before the Cloud the odds were that you had trained professionals employed that managed the support of your traditional on-premise IT – these employees will no longer be needed when on the Cloud.
But the Cloud – like all other technological advancements – doesn’t come without its downsides. Let’s take a closer look at them now.
The downsides of the Cloud
Dependence on the internet
Cloud computing revolves around and only functions with an internet connection. With very little – or no – data stored or cached locally, you are practically entirely reliant on your internet connection for access to data and services that are hosted. Your downtime could be hard to recover should you lose your internet connection.
Control
When you choose Cloud computing you are placing your trust in a third party to manage your data. You may have to – according to regulations – investigate your infrastructure provider and check that the way they manage your data is strictly according to the law.
You can also not have any input in the resolution of issues and must rely on your hosted provider’s technical support – this can be challenging for some. Also, many don’t offer round the clock services, which can be a major problem for businesses that are operational 24/7.
Do the positives outweigh the negatives? Well, that would depend on what industry your business resides in – but the answer most probably would be “yes”.
Some features of the Cloud can be problematic, but the positives clearly outweigh the negatives. Your concerns – when you migrate correctly – can all be managed.
Find a Hosted services provider that will help you develop a business continuity plan that maps out potential risks and explains how their support and services can help you to navigate the threats – take your time to find the right one!
It is understandable that the lack of control may scare you, and therefore it is essential – to remedy those fears – that you talk one-on-one with a representative that can adequately address your access concerns. Take the time to assess the measures your service provider will go to in order to ensure the safety of your data.
As we mentioned earlier, some businesses still rely on on-premise IT in order to continue trading, and others will need a hybrid of the two. In the next part of the blog we will explore the positives and negatives of on-premise IT.
The positives of On-Premise IT
Access in every eventuality
Unlike the Cloud, your internet connection can drop for whatever reason and you will still be able to carry out key work functions whatever the circumstances may be.
You are only dependant on yourself
You only have yourself and your own systems to rely on. There is no worry that your vendor may go out of business and leave you wondering what the next step is – potentially incurring a lot of downtime.
The negatives of On-Premise IT
The upfront investment and continued cost
The upfront cost could be huge. Hardware, software, and other services aren’t cheap to keep operational – these, along with the lifespan of on-premise IT solutions being only around 5-7 years on average, mean that you will have to find this large capital investment fairly frequently. If your infrastructure becomes dated in those five years you will have received a much lower return on investments from your IT than originally anticipated. All upgrades to remedy this will likely be costly.
Inability to scale
Processing becomes very difficult – if not impossible – to achieve, and in the process can cause serious downtime. The Cloud, as already stated, can grow and shrink to your whim at the click of a finger but On-Premise IT cannot.
Both have their positives and their negatives. It is your choice – based on the needs of your business, your future projections for it, your ambition, and many other factors personal to you. Unfortunately, we cannot tell you which one is best for you, but we hope this blog article has laid out the facts and enables you to make a revised, considered decision.
Your Managed IT & Microsoft 365 Specialists
At Netcom, we are well-versed in helping companies in various sectors navigate the often mystifying, jargon-filled world of IT. With over 15 years’ experience covering virtually all aspects of business IT, we can help guide your business to a prosperous future with the right IT at your side every step of the way. We can help you deploy cutting edge solutions that will not only help you weather the storm that is modern IT but also keep your business at the top of its game post pandemic and beyond. Why not book a free, no obligation discovery call today by ringing 0114 361 0062.
Why not book a free, no-obligation discovery call today by ringing 0114 361 0062.