Data Center vs. Cloud: 4 Things to Keep in Mind

Data Center vs. Cloud: 4 Things to Keep in Mind

Every successful modern business relies on data to provide products or services. Across all industries, access to real-time customer data can help business owners make important decisions about everything from inventory management to marketing and beyond. There are two primary options for today’s business owners, such as Walt Coulston, when it comes to storing that data. Read on to find out about four things business owners need to keep in mind about data centers vs. cloud-based services and get help choosing the right one.

Server Ownership

Companies that use on-premises data centers store their information on local servers, while cloud-based data storage requires using another company’s hardware and infrastructure. Both of these models have some advantages. With data centers, business owners will have complete control over their equipment and the information it is used to store. It’s also easier to make customizations since there’s no need to seek permission from the vendor or set up an environment that caters to legacy systems.

Cloud-based solutions require companies to give up a good deal of control, and 4D Data Centres are one such center. Since business owners will be using a vendor’s servers, networks, and other equipment, it is harder to implement custom solutions.

Cost Concerns

Buying the servers and network equipment to start a data center on-site requires a much greater upfront investment than enrolling in a cloud-based data storage program, but it cuts out the recurring monthly costs of paying a third-party provider for storage. Business owners who want the best of both worlds when it comes to both control and cost savings can also lease a data center. This allows them to reduce their initial investments and avoid the need for on-site storage of servers and network equipment while maintaining complete control over their data.

The Question of Security

Both data centers and cloud-based storage are generally secure. Business owners who use data centers have more control over security protocols, access restrictions, and maintenance of the servers and infrastructure. This lets companies that need to make sure their data is protected as well as possible make any changes they need to keep everything safe.

With cloud-based storage, some aspects of data storage are also entrusted to the vendor. They typically have teams of experts who handle not just security, but also management and infrastructure maintenance. Cloud-based storage is getting better all the time, but it’s not always as secure as vendors lead their customers to believe.

Ultimately, business owners are still the ones who are ultimately responsible for protecting sensitive data. If a breach occurs, they’re the ones who will suffer. Some business owners feel that since they’re the ones who will be paying the price if anything goes wrong, they should also have full control over security protocols.

Data and Server Access

Cloud-based data storage solutions allow information to be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection. Some see this as a benefit, while others see it as a potential risk. Easier access to data simplifies things like working with remote employees. It also makes it impossible for anyone to access the data should the Internet go down, which can be a huge problem.

The Bottom Line

There’s no one right solution when it comes to deciding between traditional data storage solutions and cloud-based alternatives. The owners of a business need to look into all of their options and decide which one will best meet the company’s needs in terms of security, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and control over the infrastructure.

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