The cloud can be many things to many companies. In some ways, the cloud offers a multifaceted revolution that mirrors the way outsourced data years ago changed how IT departments operate.
Businesses can buy in completely and outsource the entire cloud solution, or they can keep certain sectors in-house while outsourcing other services. One major option involves outsourcing the cloud platform itself while keeping other aspects of IT internal. The decision to run a private cloud on-site or off-site depends on the company’s expectations and strategies.
Cloud solutions generally offer two benefits: reduced costs and better computing at scale. Companies that are small, growing, or changing may lean toward outsourced cloud platforms. Larger or less dynamic companies may prefer to keep everything in-house. Let’s examine the reasons behind these decisions.
Private Clouds with Managed Services
Businesses concerned with short-term ROI (return on investment) love the ability to adopt private cloud solutions managed by third parties. Zero or minimal investment and controllable costs make it easy to bring in value rapidly.
There’s more to the equation. Positive aspects of managed cloud include these:
- No new hardware to buy.
- Data storage can be scaled easily.
- The service provider manages risk (security, replication, disaster recovery).
- Upgrades and improvements are automatically handled by the provider.
- Expert management means small companies benefit from wider knowledge.
Additionally, smaller companies can focus internal IT on other initiatives when leaving some heavy lifting to a third party. Cloud technology offers a wider suite of applications and purposes than many small and medium businesses can handle in-house. Longtime IT employees may not have much specialty skills regarding cloud. Outsourcing the new stuff services leaving internal staff to focus on other concerns may prove the wisest course for plenty of businesses.
In-House Management of Cloud Platforms
Managing a private cloud on-site affords businesses the greatest control over hardware and certain bespoke options of the computing system. For larger companies that know exactly what they need and have the resources to fill the obligations, in-house management makes sense.
Some specific reasons to choose internal cloud management include the following:
- To personally oversee security and compliance protocols.
- To provide the most direct access to the system for expert internal staff.
- To make use of employees who are fully trained and up-to-date on cloud platforms.
Essentially, internal management offers the optimal combination of dedication and customization for a business that is up to the task.
Making Choices in an Evolving Landscape
The decision to host or outsource a private cloud comes easily for many businesses. For others, the future may seem too unclear. As evolved and established as the cloud is, the market certainly will change significantly in the coming years. New blends of private and public, on-premise and off-premise may emerge.
For the next several, internal platforms hold the greatest appeal for large companies expecting the least change. For evolving needs, outsourcing cloud solutions offers the safest solution.