When it comes to finding the perfect solution for data storage within your organization, there are several options to take into consideration. You must understand which storage option will fulfill all your needs, meet your requirements, and stay within your budget.
Not only are you trying to find a reliable data storage option, but you’re looking to have more control over the data and services in your business. So what is the most appropriate option for you, is it..
- On-Premise Data Storage
- Cloud Data Storage
On-Premise vs. Cloud Data Storage
- On-Premise Data Storage – With an on-premise data storage solution, you can have complete control over where your data is being stored, and well, it’s being maintained. All your hardware and software will be held on-site, so in the case of downtime or a power outage, you can be right there to solve the problem. When you choose an on-premise data storage solution, it’s important to remember that you’ll be taking on all the responsibility for keeping your equipment running smoothly and efficiently.
- Cloud Data Storage – One of the primary complaints from IT users is not slow networks or additional expenses; it’s poor customer service. While it isn’t always the IT tech support’s fault that your system has setbacks, they don’t still help to solve the problem either. Their “solution” could be a temporary fix or something they think will work.
Data Storage Capability
Both on-premise and cloud data storage solutions have their advantages and disadvantages. If you look at the advancements in technology and the overall reliability of a storage solution, storing your data in the cloud is the most reliable option.
However, the solution that best suits your business’ needs will depend on its current and anticipated requirements. While trying to make a decision, you must consider the following factors:
On-Premise Data Storage:
- You will be in complete control of your data storage. Your enterprise will be entirely responsible for making sure all data is being securely stored where nothing can get to it.
- All storage resources will be obtained, owned, and managed solely by the enterprise itself. In the case of downtime or a power outage, you’ll be in charge of fixing the problem yourself and making sure your data is secure.
- By storing all your data on-site, you can save more money in the long run by being able to save more for less.
Cloud Data Storage:
- Since your data will be stored in the cloud, all storage and maintenance will be handled solely by an off-site provider.
- Not only will the initial setup cost for your cloud data storage be less than that for on-premise solutions, but you’ll save even more money in the long run.
- All software and hardware can be kept up to date as part of your subscription through a third-party provider.
Maintenance
After on-premise systems are installed, they require quite a bit of regular maintenance and a reliable power supply to avoid experiencing any downtime. While an on-premise data storage may supply you with a reliable storage solution, it may cost you quite a bit of money due to additional maintenance fees.
On the other hand, cloud data storage solutions involve storing your data on remote servers and equipment that will be maintained by a third-party service provider. If you’re looking to focus your attention back on your company, a cloud storage system might be best for you.
Total Cost of Ownership
Cloud systems are ultimately the cheaper option when it comes to start-up, maintenance, and support costs; however, the exact amount of money you’ll be spending will depend on the amount of data you need to store.
Several providers offer subscriptions, allowing you to pay a monthly bill to ensure your system is being maintained properly. While you may have control over your on-premise storage, you’ll also be in control of making sure the system is running smoothly and properly. Not only does this mean you’ll have to spend more money on maintenance fees, but it also means you’ll have to pay for additional storage space over time.
The Cost Difference between On-Premise and Cloud Storage
With rapid technological advances and a popular trend of moving toward cloud storage options, there can be quite a cost difference between on-premise and cloud data storage. A few of the primary factors that could affect the cost of a storage system is the storage capacity, resources, and the security needed. With so many factors to take into consideration, it may help to contact a provider or utilize a total cost of ownership calculator to determine which storage system will be more cost-effective for you.
Some other factors that may affect your total cost include the following:
- Number of virtual machines
- Number of CPUs
- RAM per virtual machine
- Storage capacity per virtual machine
Hybrid Cloud Storage Options
When some organization continues to grow or chooses to implement a new, advanced storage solution, they often want a form of hybrid data storage. These hybrid solutions are efficient for data backup and recovery. Most cloud data storage systems offer backup and recovery services, which can keep your data safe and secure when your on-premise server is being compromised.
Conclusion
If you aren’t sure which storage option is best suited to your organization, you can always give us a call at ☎ (336) 854-4455 to speak to one of our experts about finding the right storage solution. Not only do we offer several support and managed IT services, but we offer a variety of reliable solutions for several purposes. Give us a call today and let us help you find your ideal storage solution!