October 24, 2024
When it comes to managing your business’s IT needs, choosing the right infrastructure can feel overwhelming. Should you stick with the traditional on-premises setup, or is the Azure hybrid cloud a better option? By understanding the differences and benefits, you can make an informed choice that sets your business up for long-term success.
On-premises, or “on-prem,” means that your company’s servers, storage, and networking equipment are kept and managed at your physical location. You have full control but are responsible for everything—updates, maintenance, and security.
On the other hand, an Azure hybrid cloud combines your on-prem setup with cloud services from Microsoft Azure. This gives you the flexibility of cloud computing while keeping some parts of your infrastructure on-site.
Read more about hybrid cloud solutions with Microsoft Azure.
One big advantage of the Azure hybrid cloud is its scalability. If your business grows quickly, hybrid cloud infrastructure can grow with you. With cloud services, you can add more storage and computing power as needed. In contrast, on-prem setups require purchasing hardware upgrades to scale up, which can be time-consuming and costly.
On-prem systems often come with a high upfront cost. You need to buy hardware, pay for installation, and manage ongoing maintenance. The Azure hybrid cloud, however, operates on a pay-as-you-go model, meaning you only pay for the resources you use. This can lead to significant cloud cost savings, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.
Both on-prem and hybrid cloud setups can include strong security measures, but they differ in responsibility. With on-prem, your IT team manages all security aspects. You may also outsource security responsibilities to a third-party vendor. In a hybrid cloud, Microsoft handles much of the security in the cloud, but you still manage security for your on-site systems. A hybrid cloud can offer enhanced security with regular updates and protections against cyber threats that may be harder to maintain with on-prem systems alone.
The Azure hybrid cloud is great for disaster recovery and backup. With cloud-based solutions, your data is stored in multiple locations, reducing the risk of losing everything in a fire, flood, or system failure. On-prem setups can have backups too, but they’re usually stored on-site, which can make them vulnerable if something happens at your location.
If your company uses older, legacy systems, transitioning to a fully cloud-based solution can be difficult. The Azure hybrid cloud allows you to keep those systems running on-prem while taking advantage of cloud-based tools for modern applications.
Moving to an Azure hybrid cloud doesn’t happen overnight. You’ll need a thorough plan to make sure the transition goes smoothly. Start by evaluating which parts of your infrastructure are best suited for the cloud and which should stay on-prem. Then, work with an experienced IT partner to create a step-by-step migration plan. This process is known as Azure hybrid cloud migration, and with the right support, it can be seamless and low risk.
Read about common cloud migration challenges.
Deciding between on-prem and Azure hybrid cloud comes down to your business’s specific needs. If you need more control and don’t mind handling the maintenance yourself, on-prem might be the way to go. But if you’re looking for scalability, cost savings, and advanced disaster recovery options, the Azure hybrid cloud could be the perfect solution for you.
Read about developing a cloud strategy aligned to your business goals.
Whether you are beginning your research on cloud solutions, need guidance developing a cloud strategy, or are ready to perform a migration to the cloud – Dewpoint’s knowledgeable cloud experts are here to guide you on your journey. Schedule a meeting today to begin the conversation.
Dewpoint, an award-winning, Michigan-based technology firm, has been helping businesses prepare for, stay ahead of, and respond to IT challenges for over 27 years. From IT security to infrastructure management to automation, cloud migration, and beyond, Dewpoint has long been a trusted technology resource for businesses.