The Pros and Cons of On-Premise Server Solutions

Choosing the right type of storage system is essential as it has an influence over your business operations. Key factors such as cost, accessibility, scalability and security must be prioritised, as these server solutions hold all your data on internal servers. 

However, since this means that you need to significantly invest in IT equipment, infrastructure, licences and more, every business needs to carefully consider on premise pros and cons before deciding to opt for this solution.

A better understanding of this system and how it works will ensure that every organisation can leverage it to maximise operational efficiency.

With this in mind, the experts at Redpalm have curated a blog on on premise pros and cons that every business needs to know about.

Let’s get started!

What Is An On Premise Server?

On premise servers are a group of servers that a company privately owns and controls. Since traditional cloud computing involves leasing resources from a third-party provider, many business owners tend to opt for on premise servers.

With on premise software, companies are responsible for maintaining and facilitating the related processes themselves. This software is installed on the computers on the business premises, instead of a remote cloud or server farm.

While this can be a little more expensive than cloud software and also requires hardware, software, and additional licences, it’s considered more secure as all of the data is stored entirely within the organisation.

Now that you know what on premise software is, let’s examine on premise pros and cons to help you better understand what this server solution entails.

The Pros of On Premise Servers

If your business is considering a more traditional method of storing data, on premise servers may be the perfect solution. Some of the key on premise benefits include:

1. No Monthly Fee

While the initial upfront cost might seem expensive, this solution doesn’t require a monthly usage fee, which makes it a great option for every business. Although there are annual maintenance costs that the company will need to keep up with, the recurring costs are lower than those of cloud solutions.

The upfront cost and annual maintenance may seem like a lot, but in the long run, it might be a more cost-effective solution than cloud storage.

2. Better Data Security

Since the business owns all the servers that store the data, on premise servers are an excellent solution for businesses with extreme security concerns. 

Areas such as finance, healthcare and government agencies can greatly benefit from on premise servers, as everything is stored internally. With businesses having complete ownership of the data, the responsibility of maintaining the servers is completely up to the internal team.

3. Highly Customisable

When it comes to on premise pros and cons, it’s worth noting that on premise servers are highly customisable. This customisation allows organisations the freedom to build their infrastructure to meet their own specific operational needs. 

From multiple operating systems to a variety of applications that can’t run on a single server, the customisable nature of on premise solutions allows them to be used according to the requirements of the business.

4. Infrastructure Control

When it comes to on premise vs cloud, on premise servers offer significantly more control over your IT infrastructure. 

As an organisation, when you own the hardware and systems that make up your IT infrastructure, you have total control over where these components are, how they run, and who can access them.

5. Internet-free Access

One of the major on premise benefits is that this type of storage doesn’t require users to have an internet connection to access data. 

While many organisations rely on the internet to conduct business, there’s always the chance that a network outage might harm productivity and lead to unexpected downtime. 

On premise servers provide you with an internal network that you can access at any time, regardless of internet connection. This completely eliminates the fear of productivity loss due to network interruptions. 

The Cons of On Premise Solutions

While on premise solutions provide robust security and data protection, they do come with a few limitations. The initial upfront cost, whilst effective down the line, may not be something that every business can afford.

Additionally, if the servers are accessed from outside the office, this could result in a slow internet connection. With this, if two people are trying to edit a file on the server at the same time, they won’t be able to access the file.

Moreover, regular backups are essential to mitigate the loss of data during any external disruption, either natural or man-made.

However, when you weigh the on premise pros and cons against each other, the pros tip the scales in favour of this server solution. This means that it can be utilised favourably by many organisations.

Contact Redpalm for Reliable On Premise Server Solutions

Now that you know the on premise pros and cons, if you’re looking to incorporate on premise server solutions into your IT infrastructure, we can help.

Redpalm is a managed service provider (MSP) that offers reliable IT support and security solutions to empower your business and improve your productivity. 

Our technical experts will ensure the specification and configuration of your server solutions are optimised to meet the demands of your business. Our team can expertly tailor the solutions to meet all your business requirements.

We also offer various other services such as proactive monitoring, incident response, technology procurement, cloud services, IT audits and health checks, and more. 

To learn more about our services, click here or contact us to schedule an appointment today.