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On-Site IT vs. Cloud IT: Which Is Right for My Business?

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No matter what type of business you run, one thing remains true for all: data is everything. For this reason, every business owner needs to make that key decision—should you utilize on-site IT or cloud IT? The answer to this question depends on several factors. Every business operates differently with unique data requirements.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of these two approaches to help direct you towards the method that will best fit the needs of your business.

 

On-site IT

Pros

  • Everything you need is physically there for you whenever you need it. There’s a sense of control by having your data stored on-site.
  • Your storage needs can be assessed easily when everything is on-site. This will help you properly monitor the kind of space that might need to be added in the future.
  • Choose your own hardware. You don’t need to rely on a specific software like you would with cloud IT.
  • You know exactly where your data is at all times. When it comes to sensitive data, you won’t have to worry about it ending up on another server or in some random data center.

 Cons

  • Theft can be an issue. If someone steals your equipment, your data is gone just like that.
  • The costs associated with on-site IT tend to be high. It takes a trained IT professional to maintain and manage these devices properly. Some of the equipment itself can be quite expensive as well, depending on how much data you need to store.
  • Human error comes into play more often. Backups need to be done manually, which can be costly if a backup does not occur.
  • If a disaster occurs, such as fire or flood, your equipment could get damaged. You could potentially lose all of your data in this type of situation.

 

Cloud IT

Pros

  • Utilizing a cloud-based infrastructure is all about convenience. You don’t have to worry about maintaining the hardware or staying up-to-date with the latest security features. All of these things are taken care of by your cloud service provider.
  • Setting up the cloud is easy. You don’t need to set up all of your hardware and connections. Instead, just fill out a quick form and submit. You will be ready to start using the cloud in minutes.
  • Cloud-IT brings scalability and flexibility. You can add cloud resources with a few clicks of the mouse to scale with your data use. For example, if you know you need more space during a busy season, it’s easy to add on without the headaches of buying more hardware that comes with on-site IT.
  • Automated backups take away the chance of human error. Your data is always backed up and available in the event of a disaster.

Cons

  • You will always need an internet connection of some kind to access your data. If a disaster strikes and you have no internet access, you will not be able to access the cloud.
  • You will have less control over your cloud interface and infrastructure. The software that you use is designed by an outside company, therefore you need to choose a set up that works best for your needs.

 Whether you choose on-site IT or cloud IT depends on your company’s particular needs. Oftentimes, it’s best to find a balance of both worlds by mixing and matching various applications to be on-site and cloud-based. For more information on both of these options and help assessing your Iowa-based business’s unique data storage needs, contact Infomax today. We will help you find the right fit for your business.

Is On-site IT Services Right for Your Business?

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When something goes wrong in business, time is of the essence. When it comes to information technology (IT), problems or crises are magnified, as most businesses are heavily reliant on IT for everyday functions. Many companies rely on off-site IT departments or specialists to handle related issues, which can result in delayed responses and resolutions to serious dilemmas that can negatively impact their bottom line. If this sounds like your company, consider the following questions to help determine if on-site IT services are right for your business.

Do we communicate more effectively in person?
When discussing an issue over the phone, email, or online chats, details and particulars can be lost in translation. Most of the time, employees do not understand the exact nature of the situation when problems arise or how to relay this to their IT staff. All that is truly identifiable is a general issue, but that observation doesn’t provide IT services with the proper information to address and resolve the situation. If you and your coworkers are like most people and are better at communicating in-person, having someone on-site to help solve problems will prove helpful.

How often do we like to stay updated on the problem?
When you’re facing an issue that is restricting your employees’ ability to do their jobs, there is nothing worse than sitting around waiting to hear about an update. If you’re relying on off-site IT services that aren’t on hand to keep you abreast of the situation or if your outsourced IT team is working with numerous other clients simultaneously, it may be time to consider an alternative. Having trained IT professionals on-site ensures that the technician is in position to keep you informed about the situation while putting all of his or her attention on your team’s problem, rather than multitasking with other clients.

Are we shy about asking for assistance?
When dealing with an off-site IT team, many employees don’t report issues because they don’t want to bother another an external vendor with issues. This can be compounded if there are numerous or frequent issues and these problems remain unreported. Bringing an IT team on-site to answer questions and fix your problems feels like less of a burden than contacting an already-overloaded vendor off-site. IT issues that are reported and a healthy IT infrastructure ensures productivity and efficiency never suffer due to unresolved IT pitfalls.

Think it might be time for your organization to turn to an on-site IT service provider? Asking yourself the above three questions will help you determine whether you’d be better served working with a provider who offers more than just remote support. Contact Infomax Office Systems today to learn more about our on-site IT services.