5 Tips to Compare Data Center vs Cloud Computing

Setting up and running a data center for your company can be a costly endeavor, but then again, you’re in control. On the other hand, cloud computing is that all-in-one, on-demand solution that costs less and eliminates the need to form entire IT teams and invest in on-premise data centers. Both cloud computing and data centers come with their unique perks and advantages, so it’s not really fair to say that one is inherently better than the other.

Small business leaders may want to consider cloud computing providers because of financial constraints, but big companies might want to build their own data centers in order to ensure stellar security, control, and on-site scalability. Let’s put all of that into perspective and take a look at the five things you need to keep in mind when comparing data centers vs cloud computing for your business.

Comparing on-premise vs cloud storage

The first thing you need to consider when comparing cloud computing with on-site data centers is the storage capacity, but also the costs and security associated with both. We’ll touch on those a bit later on, but for now it’s important to focus on your storage capabilities when you choose one of these two options.

For one, it’s important to note that you can convert Access to SQL server both on-site and as a cloud solution, so you can have a robust database management system in either realm. This is a prerequisite for a well-functioning database, and both a data center and a cloud solution can provide you with decent security and scalability.

When it comes to your storage capabilities, keep in mind that cloud computing is more scalable because it is an on-demand service. This means that you can easily request more storage space as your business continues to grow, and you will instantly gain access to it by upgrading your plan.

With an on-site data center, however, you will need to invest in more storage hardware.

Real-time monitoring and reporting capabilities

Monitoring and reporting are two crucial processes that ensure the proper functioning of your IT infrastructure, and allow you to elevate security, efficiency, as well as align your services with the needs of your customers. To achieve any of this quickly and without wasting resources, you need to tend to continuous data center monitoring in order to generate actionable reports and act on the most relevant data in time.

In cloud computing, you can generate reports automatically through your user dashboard and built-in analytics tools provided by your cloud host. When it comes to your own data center, on the other hand, you will need to provision reporting and analytics tools, and leverage the expertise of data analysts and IT professionals who will generate these findings.

That said, you can also outsource data center monitoring and reporting in order to avoid investing in reporting tools and new staff members. 

Unified communications for decentralized teams

Your IT infrastructure needs to support numerous crucial internal and customer-centric processes. Your goal should be to align your infrastructure with the needs of your target demographic, and deliver the right services and solutions while keeping the innovation process moving forward.

You can only do this, of course, by optimizing and scaling your backend IT operation. This means that you need to implement robust security systems and data storage, but also collaboration and communication solutions that will empower your workforce.

Managing remote teams via cloud is easy enough with cloud calling solutions and dedicated collaboration software, which you can get as a part of your plan if you choose a reliable cloud provider. If you are managing an on-site data center, then make sure to integrate third-party communication software and project management tools that support remote work.

Comparing on-premise vs cloud CRM

Having a customer relationship management solution in your company is no longer an option in the modern business world, it’s a necessity. When it comes to cloud vs on-site data center CRM, there is no denying that a cloud-based solution brings more benefits to the table, and is a clear winner in the customer relationship management category.

The benefits of cloud-based CRM are many in this case, and it’s important to note that you can get a comprehensive CRM solution on-demand, stored and managed within a cloud-based environment. This means less financial investment on your end, but it also means more functionality, security, and continuous improvement.

A cloud-based CRM also offers better scalability and lower maintenance costs than you would have with an on-site CRM. While you can build your own data center CRM, you would need to spend significant resources on testing, optimization, asset maintenance, and most importantly, security. 

Comparing cloud providers vs on-site requirements

Building an on-site data center requires careful planning and meticulous research, as you want to invest in the top IT talent, applications, hardware, and third-party services. But the same amount of research goes into choosing the best cloud hosting for your unique needs, as well as your long-term goals. Meticulous research is especially important if you are looking to migrate to the cloud, as you want to ensure data safety and business continuity.

There are numerous popular cloud providers on the market right now that are continuously upgrading and optimizing their plans to fit the needs of SMBs as well as large corporations in every industry.

There is no clear winner here, but you might want to consider the financial obligations associated with both. A flexible cloud provider will be able to offer you scalable plans that fit your budget, while the costs of building and managing an on-site solution might be too much for a small company.

Scalability and developing new applications

Speaking of scalability, there is no denying that cloud computing is the clear winner. You can scale your cloud environment, data stores, and various applications with a few clicks, and get all the features and solutions you need to take your business forward.

That doesn’t mean that scaling is impossible with an on-site data center, but it does mean that you need to provision new solutions manually. When you do, make sure to choose accessible solutions that are easy to integrate, like an intuitive email marketing software to optimize your email campaigns, or a cloud-based PM tool with built-in communication features.

Wrapping up

In the end, choosing an on-site data center or a cloud solution will depend on your long-term business plans, goals, as well as your financial capabilities.

There is no denying that cloud computing brings some powerful benefits to the table, but larger companies with a sizable budget should consider on-site data centers in order to retain complete control of their IT operation.