Hybrid IT

On-Premise Solutions vs Cloud Solutions – What is Best?

11 May 2021

The major shift of focus from on-premise to cloud solutions in businesses has been incredibly noticeable in the past few years. 
Essentially focusing on hardware and software applications, each solution has its own set of pros and cons. The individual features that each option brings to the table often make it difficult for companies to narrow down between the two. 
However, since this topic has been debated continuously, having a better and comprehensive understanding of on-Premise solutions vs cloud solutions can enable you to better understand and decide which among the two is the right fit for your business.
At Redpalm, with our immense knowledge and experience in the IT field, we’ve put together a short guide about both solutions that cover the basic features including security and protection. Through this, you can achieve better insights into each solution to select the right fit for your organisation.
Let’s take a look!

On-Premise Solutions Vs Cloud Solution

With the newfound flexibility for enterprises, it’s no surprise that cloud solutions have become popular over the years. Improved agility, scalability and savings on time and money makes cloud computing an efficient and effective solution.
On-premise solutions require the software to be installed with the company’s firewalls and servers, making them accessible and trustworthy.

What Is On-Premise Software?

On-premise software is committing to local ownership of data, software and hardware. This means that everything runs from your location or facility and there is no third party involvement in your IT operations.
Since most businesses prefer having their data and software stored on-premise for better peace of mind, this solution serves as a trustworthy and reliable choice. However, for on-premise software, the purchase of the license or a copy of the software by the company is required for better and enhanced security than a cloud solution software.
Furthermore, by having the software with your company, you can control all the operations and platforms included in it. From system changes and upgrades to configuration and overall maintenance – you get to decide and control it all. What’s more, these solutions can be updated at your convenience.
However, when it comes to the drawbacks of on-premise software, one of the biggest challenges is the large upfront investment. On top of that, maintenance costs are also significantly higher with regular maintenance and upgrading required. With this, businesses that have limited funds to spare may not be able to cope.
Moreover, any potential issues that arise need to be dealt with in-house, meaning aside from the initial upfront purchase, there’s a high chance that there’ll be additional maintenance costs as well, both in terms of time and resources.

What is Cloud Computing Solution? 

While on-premise software stores all data and hardware within the company’s servers, cloud solutions leverage a third party to do the same.
With a cloud solutions company, you are essentially required to store your data with another organisation, unlike on-premise software’s in-house storage. However, the customisable features and easy accessibility of cloud computing make it a much more efficient choice for many. 
Since companies can pay on an “as-needed” basis, they can alter and scale their plan as per their requirements. Moreover, with cloud software, you can access your company’s applications and data from anywhere on any device. 
With no initial upfront costs, you can make payments for a specific period. Another advantage is that since the service is provided by a third party, you need not worry about maintenance and updates as it is taken care of for you.
When it comes to drawbacks, cloud computing requires a steady and reliable internet connection to be productive and functional, especially across a large organisation. While there may be additional payments, the convenience and efficiency brought by this solution make it worth it for thousands of businesses across the country. 
A key point to be noted – while the costs for cloud computing increase over time, they still remain extremely affordable when compared to on-premise solutions.  

Key Differences In On-Premise Solutions vs Cloud Solutions

With the clear difference in the basic outline of both software, there’s a noticeable contrast in terms of features and methods. Based on your requirements, budget and the features you’re looking for, either solution can serve as the right fit for your company.
That said, here are the key differences between the both –

 

Deployment Process

  • On-Premise solutions – The resources are deployed in-house, within the company’s IT infrastructure making the organisation responsible for maintenance and updates.
  • Cloud solutions – Although there are different types of cloud computing, resources are hosted with the service provider and unobstructed access is given to the company and its employees.

 

Expenditure

  • On-Premise solutions – This software requires a large upfront expenditure and maintenance costs to facilitate constant support and upgrades.
  • Cloud solutions – The predictable monthly payments and customisable plans make them an efficient solution. However, there may be additional costs if you choose to upgrade with newer upcoming customisations and features.

 

Security

  • On-Premise solutions – Since the data, software and hardware is stored within the company’s network and servers, there’s better control of security and privacy concerns; large companies with sensitive data greatly benefit from this.
  • Cloud solutions – Although there may be a few concerns in terms of cloud security, with various cybersecurity features and tools, you need not worry too much. With the right partner, your data will remain protected at all times. 

 

Cloud Solutions and On-Premise Solutions – The Better Choice

When it comes to on-premise vs cloud pros and cons, each solution has its own unique features which stand out against the other.
However, due to the better efficiency and accessibility provided by cloud computing, it’s a popular choice. With the removal of the constant hassle of maintenance and updates, companies can focus on their operations while everything else is taken care of.
Additionally, if security is one of your primary concerns, on-premise solutions is the right way to go with data control, upgrades and access supplied in-house.

Contact Redpalm For On-Premise And Cloud Solutions

If you’re looking for on-premise servers or cloud solutions for your company, Redpalm is your ideal IT solutions provider.
With our vast experience and expertise in all things related to IT infrastructure, we can understand the needs of every type of business to provide them with the best solutions.
To get started with your IT solutions set-up, contact us today!

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