Today’s businesses generate massive amounts of data. This is true for organizations of all sizes and in a wide range of industries. From client documents to email archives, a variety of sensitive files must be safely stored and available for access at a moment’s notice.

Numerous solutions allow organizations to handle increasing data volume as they see fit. While onsite storage once dominated, many companies now swear by cloud storage, which simplifies the process. However, while valuable for many businesses, cloud servers aren’t always ideal.

Below, we’ll examine a few key factors worth considering when choosing between onsite servers and the cloud.

Achieving Greater Mobility with the Cloud

The cloud offers the greatest value for businesses that rely on mobile or remote work. The more business is based online, the more essential mobile access becomes. This is not impossible to achieve with onsite data storage, but it can be far more complicated. The cloud is also beneficial in that it can provide swift data backups, regardless of where users are located when they produce critical files.

The Risk of Outages: Minimizing the Potential for Downtime

Even a few minutes of downtime can be devastating for businesses that pride themselves on providing reliable digital transactions. At first glance, cloud services may appear to reduce the possibility of downtime. After all, they offer ample IT support. Unfortunately, even the most reliable cloud solutions are surprisingly prone to outages.

Downtime can also occur for onsite servers, but this approach lends businesses a greater degree of control. What’s more, data recovery tends to take less time when onsite solutions are involved.

The Need for Additional Storage Capacity: How Onsite Servers Can Help

The primary benefit of onsite servers is their ability to store massive amounts of data. With cloud systems, storage availability can prove surprisingly limited. Onsite servers, however, dramatically expand storage space, making them an ideal solution as your business generates large volumes of data. In many cases, the need for expanded space can be met simply by adding servers to your in-house infrastructure.

Short and Long-Term Costs for Top Server Solutions

Limited resources force many business leaders to make difficult tech decisions. Unfortunately, some opt for approaches that, although seemingly inexpensive in the short-term, prove far more costly down the road. Such is the case for cloud and onsite servers, both of which can provide considerable value for businesses that manage vast amounts of data.

The main issue of onsite hosting for small businesses is the initial investment. Necessary hardware and software can prove costly, as can ongoing expenses such as upgrades, maintenance, and repairs.

An onsite approach may seem more expensive initially, but the costs often balance out in the long run. Meanwhile, cloud solutions typically take the form of subscriptions, which must be paid on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. This can prove helpful for businesses with variable cash flow. No matter how much other expenses change, stable cloud costs can be expected.

Despite the seemingly low cost of cloud services, they can sometimes prove more expensive when all is said and done. Onsite servers make it possible to store far more data – often at a cost that undercuts cloud solutions. Therefore, while the cloud is typically regarded as the most scalable option, onsite servers still appeal to businesses that anticipate future growth.

Security Concerns

Cloud servers offer built-in security features designed to keep sensitive data safe. Many also provide extra IT support, which can be valuable when server issues arise. That being said, data stored on cloud servers isn’t automatically safer than files kept onsite.

With an in-house solution, you can take comfort in knowing that data access will be, by nature, limited to just a few employees. By expanding that access, cloud solutions can open the door to a variety of cybersecurity risks. No matter how extensively cloud solutions use encryption and other security features, breaches remain a real possibility.

The bottom line? No one type of server is right for every business. The best choice depends on the size of the organization and your willingness to invest in and maintain onsite systems. As you assess your options, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a tech expert who understands your concerns and knows what it takes to keep your data safe, secure, and accessible to the appropriate parties.

Finding Your Ideal Server Solution with IT Support

As you search for the best server to meet your unique needs, feel free to turn to the experts at NerdsToGo for help. Our Nerds can provide the guidance you need and valuable assistance as you implement your preferred solution. We also offer a wide range of IT support services.

With our help, you can achieve a fast, reliable, and secure network. Contact us today to learn how you can benefit from computer support in Las Vegas.