No matter what industry you’re in, chances are that your company relies heavily on data in its day-to-day operations. Because of this reliance, it’s crucial that your data is stored securely and safely so you can access it whenever you need it.
With so many storage options available today, it can be difficult to decide which one is best for your company when considering cloud-based vs on-premise storage.
This debate can be tricky to navigate, so we’ll be exploring the differences between cloud-based vs on-premise storage, their advantages and disadvantages, and which one is right for your business.
What’s the Difference Between Cloud-Based vs On-Premise Storage?
The fundamental difference between cloud-based and on-premise storage lies in the way that the data is stored.
On-Premise Storage
On-premise storage, also referred to as “on-site” or “local,” refers to any data that is stored physically within your company’s building or server. On-premise storage gives you more control over the data, because you are able to maintain it yourself and customize the security settings.
Cloud-Based Storage
Cloud-based storage, on the other hand, refers to any data that is stored virtually in an off-site cloud system. Data stored in the cloud can be accessed from almost anywhere—all you need is an internet connection. Cloud-based storage also typically offers more scalability than on-premise storage.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud-Based Storage
The primary advantage of cloud-based storage is its scalability. With a cloud system, you don’t have to worry about buying or maintaining additional hardware or software when your data needs expand—you can just scale up easily and quickly.
Cloud-based storage also typically offers stronger security than on-premise storage. The data is stored off-site in a secure data center.
The main disadvantage of cloud-based storage is that your team may have a bit of a learning curve after you employ cloud applications. Additionally, with data stored off-site, there may be latency issues if you’re accessing it from a remote location.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of On-Premise Storage
The main advantage of on-premise storage is that it gives you more control over your data—you can customize the security settings and maintain the system yourself.
However, the downside of on-premise storage is that it can be more difficult to scale up when your data needs grow. On-premise storage often requires more maintenance than cloud-based storage because you have to physically manage and maintain your servers yourself.
Managing your own servers can also lead to expensive upkeep and scalability issues—if your company grows, you have to buy and maintain more hardware, along with the physical storage space.
Cloud-Based vs On-Premise: Which One Is Best for Your Business?
The decision between cloud-based vs on-premise storage is largely dependent on the size of your business and how much data you need to store. But in general, cloud-based storage is usually the better option.
Cloud-based storage offers greater scalability, which is important for businesses that are growing or anticipating growth. Cloud-based storage also often provides stronger security than on-premise storage because your data is stored in an off-site data center that’s less vulnerable to attacks and natural disasters.
Although cloud-based storage can come with a learning curve, AIS offers in-depth employee training to help your business take advantage of the cloud’s benefits.
Moving from On-Premise to Cloud Storage
Many businesses are making the transition to cloud-based vs on-premise storage due to its greater scalability and its superior ability to protect data. In fact, as of 2022, over half of all corporate data was stored in the cloud—60% to be exact.
At AIS, we can partner with you to ensure that you have a successful and secure migration from on-premise to cloud storage, with minimal disruption to your business operations. We’ll also ensure that your networks and servers are integrated with the cloud system and that everything is working correctly.
Successfully Transition to Cloud Storage with AIS
If you’re convinced that cloud-based storage is the best option for your growing business, AIS can provide the support and expertise you need to make a successful transition.
Our team of certified professionals will develop a custom plan for migrating your data and integrate your networks and servers with the cloud system. Set up a meeting today to get started on your migration to the cloud!