Now more than ever, it’s crucial for businesses to be technologically enhanced to keep up with the fast-paced competition. Simple procedures must now happen in seconds, and data must be available at any location so businesses may function fast and efficiently. The cloud system offers this advantage to every business, making it a necessity if you wish to thrive.
Private clouds have many advantages that could boost your productivity, save costs, and safeguard your data to prevent crippling losses. However, private clouds are still a topic businesses are hesitant to explore, as their advantages and disadvantages aren’t always obvious. If you are considering a private cloud for your business, here are five things to know before making your decision.
1. They Integrate With Existing Systems.
When applying the cloud system to your business, the issue arises of integrating it with your pre-existing systems. You may have technology in place that is incompatible with the cloud, requiring it to be eliminated in order to benefit from the advantages of a cloud. Doing so wastes the money you’ve invested. Private cloud systems are customizable, allowing you to tailor fit them to your existing tech, saving money and maximizing your tech.
2. They Are Cost Effective But Limited.
Public clouds allow you to take the needed resources throughout the month and pay the bill afterwards. However, calculating the final cost is difficult, especially if you require more data than predicted. This can lead to a large, unexpected bill at the end of the month which could cripple your IT department. A private cloud system allows you full control over the amount of data used, so you can calculate expenses and properly budget, which can be helped out with hyper converged infrastructure. However, as a personal system, it’s limited in the amount of data it can provide; you may run out before you accomplish your needs. Expanding its capacity is possible, but very lengthy and costly. Be sure to calculate the data currently needed and possibly needed in the future before making your decision.
3. They Are More Efficient.
As the cloud server is only accommodating your data, it can devote all its resources solely to your needs. A private cloud doesn’t need to cater to multiple users, therefore operating more efficiently for its few users – namely your business. Additionally, a public cloud offers blanket functions to cater to the general needs of many users, while a private cloud offers agility, allowing you to manipulate and design the cloud to cater to your specific needs.
4. They Are Flexible In Location.
A private cloud requires private hardware. As a mid-sized business, you have the choice of placing the equipment on-site or hiring an outside private cloud hosting company. Each has its own benefits. A cloud hosting company manages the equipment, provides tech support, and ensures routine maintenance is performed. This saves the additional expense of creating a private team to manage these details. However, by basing your cloud on-site, you are granted full control over every aspect of the cloud. Depending on your business type and size, it may be more cost effective to create a personal team to maintain the hardware, rather than paying an expensive outside company.
5. They Are More Secure.
A public cloud is a large target for hackers looking to cause general mayhem or damage against a specific user. With private clouds, you are stepping away from the target, reducing your size on the radar and reducing the likelihood of becoming collateral damage in a virtual “raid.” The disadvantage, however, is you lack a vast range of experts devoted to safeguarding your system; you instead rely on your own tech department or that of your outsourced hosting company. When making a decision, it’s important to evaluate your company, its security risks, and your needs, and see if the pros are worth the cons.
Private clouds have a range of pros and cons to be considered. There are many risks which could potentially harm your business, but also many advantages which could lead your company to the next level of success. With these five things in mind, you’ll be better equipped for making your decision.
About the Author:
Rick Delgado is a technology commentator and writer.
