With the widespread use of the internet, more businesses are adopting the use of cloud computing or Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions over on-premise hosting solutions. This trend has led to the growth of cloud computing as a business and the development of cloud hosting platforms. The tectonic shift has left many companies wondering which is the right move for them. What does cloud computing or on-premise hosting mean for their businesses? Let’s delve into each of these computing plans to get a better feel of what they mean to you and your business.
On-Premise Vs. Cloud Computing
On-premise computing refers to the internal implementation and running of a company’s data from a computer hard disk or a data center. All the processes such as maintenance, data security and updates are done in-house. On-premise hosting requires a business to buy and maintain its servers, from which all data in the company is stored and managed. There is no involvement with third-party services, meaning it requires dedicated IT experts to manage the servers.
Cloud computing, on the other hand, refers to storing data, applications, databases and other software over the internet. In this cloud computing model, the organization contracts a third-party company to host and manage its databases. You pay for these services to forego the expense of owning and controlling data centers to run your company’s data and applications. Cloud computing has risen over the past few years, and many cloud hosting companies have emerged.
What are The Advantages of Cloud Computing Over Computing On-Premises?
There are several reasons why many business models prefer cloud computing over on-premises computing. Mainly, these reasons include:
1. It Lowers Costs, Saving Money
As a business, your main aim is to make profits, which can be achieved only by minimizing production costs and maximizing your output. Cloud computing offers just that. It allows you to host your database and applications on third-party companies for a small fee. You forego the cost of purchasing servers and hardware for setting up your own on-premises data center. Besides, you minimize the need for dedicated full-time IT professionals to man your servers plus the huge electricity utility bill that comes with running a server.
If you compare the cost of hosting your application and data on a cloud solution, you’ll find it cheaper than setting up the servers yourself. As a business, you pay a small fee and save a lot of money and resources. Having cut down the cost of production, your company can thereby focus on producing better services to the clients, achieving more profits.
2. It is More Secure
For most people and organizations, the security and safety of their data and applications from malicious or targeted cybercrime is a significant concern. Worry no more because, with the development of technology, cloud solutions have improved their security to provide secure and safe data hosting. It is now safer to host your applications on third-party cloud computing servers than an on-premise server.
Cloud solution firms have invested immensely in the security and integrity of sensitive data to curb the threat posed by cybercriminals. Even so, on-premise solutions are yet to catch up with these levels of security and encryption, perhaps because of the prohibitive costs involved and also the level of IT expertise required. These attributes make it better to host your application and data on a cloud solution to take advantage of better security and avoid attacks on your data.
3. It Lowers the Risk of Losing Data
Have you ever lost your data due to an attack or virus? Did you wonder how you could have prevented it? Well, worry no more. Cloud computing reduces the risk of losing your crucial business data and other files. Besides the advanced security cloud services offer, you will also have secure data storage at your fingertips. Cloud computing solutions reduce the risk of losing your data by backing it up and providing better encryption against hacking, viruses and data loss.
4. It’s Easy to Access Data Anytime
Another advantage of cloud solutions over on-premise solutions is the ease of accessibility. As long as you or your clients are connected to the internet, data and application accessibility is easy. Furthermore, the data can be accessed from any location with internet access and from any smart device. It means that there is more flexibility in data access and usage, and any changes from your user’s end are updated automatically and in real time. Because of these features, your organization and your users won’t miss out on anything as long as they have internet access.
5. It’s Easier to Adjust
Over time as your company grows, your need for more space to store your data grows. When you are using a cloud computing environment, all you need to do is upgrade your payment plan to cover your needs. Typically, it is cheaper to pay for hosting services than upgrade your own data center to suit your expansion needs. To cover your scaling needs, you only have to click a few times on your mobile device, and the rest is sorted for you. Besides, if you need to downgrade, you can also do that easily from your device.
6. It is Easier to Keep Your Cloud System Up to Date
Technology advances all the time, and so do servers and hosting platforms. In case of changes or upgrades in hosting software or hardware, it is easier to upgrade if you are using cloud computing than it is for on-premise IT infrastructure. On-premise hosting calls for purchasing new software or hardware, countless hours of installation and high costs of paying IT experts to upgrade and maintain the system for you. However, when using cloud computing, you only have to upgrade your software via a website. It is easier, faster and cheaper because no purchases of hardware or software are required.
7. Can Be Used on Any Platform or OS
On-premise hosting sometimes has problems with device compatibility. The leading cause of these compatibility issues involves the hardware and software used in an on-premise data center. However, cloud computing offers better and more compatible software and hardware that is easy to connect to any device regardless of the platform. It allows the creation of high-quality websites that are attuned to any browser and device operating system.
As seen above, cloud computing offers better and more advanced services at a comparatively smaller fee than on-premise hosting. Besides, it allows the user to access web content easier and better. For these reasons, we at mJobTime are committed to providing the best cloud workforce management system for your construction business. We are well-suited to ensuring that your business flows without worrying about updating your servers every time. Reach out to us now to discuss our top-of-the-class industrial services and how our cloud service packages can help take your business to the next level today!