Data Centre vs The Cloud: Which is Better for Your Company?

The Cloud vs Data Centre Which is Better for Your Company

As digitalisation continues to transform the business landscape, more businesses are moving from traditional data centres to cloud storage solutions.

This shift has been driven by a range of factors, including scalability, accessibility, and the increase in remote workplaces.

However, despite the numerous advantages of cloud computing, data centres continue to play a crucial role in the technology landscape.

As a result, it has become vital for businesses to carefully evaluate their data storage options and determine the best solution for their needs.

Continue reading to discover the differences between data centres and the cloud and how you can determine which is better for your business.

Data Centres & The Cloud: What Are They?

Data centres and the cloud are two fundamental components of modern technology infrastructure.

A data centre is a facility that businesses use to store their data and applications in a centralised location.

They can range from a small server room to a large complex housing thousands of servers, storage devices and networking equipment.

On the other hand, the cloud is a virtualised infrastructure businesses use to process data and access various services on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Ideal for remote work environments, there are several types of cloud models available, including public, private, and hybrid clouds.

Distinguishing Between Data Centres & Cloud Computing

Distinguishing Between Data Centres & Cloud Computing

1. Scalability

Data centres traditionally have had to expand physically to accommodate the growing storage needs of a company.

This can involve purchasing new hardware, such as servers and storage devices, and upgrading the facility’s power and cooling infrastructure.

In contrast, with cloud storage, businesses can quickly and easily expand their capacity by simply paying for more storage space.

2. Cost

When deciding between traditional data centres and cloud storage, the cost is a key factor for businesses.

Traditional data centres can be expensive for businesses to set up and maintain. Businesses are responsible for purchasing all the necessary hardware and equipment, including servers, storage devices, etc.

Cloud storage, however, is typically offered as a subscription service. It is a more cost-effective solution for businesses, as this eliminates the need for purchasing and maintaining hardware and infrastructure.

Additionally, cloud providers handle the infrastructure’s management, maintenance, and upgrades, which reduces the workload and costs for businesses.

3. Accessibility

Another key difference between traditional data centres and cloud storage is their location.

Data centres are commonly located onsite within a business’s physical premises, which can offer easy accessibility for onsite staff members.

On the other hand, data stored on the cloud can be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection.

This level of accessibility is particularly beneficial for businesses with remote or distributed teams.

Read More: SaaS Data Backup: Protecting Your Data In SaaS Environments

How to Choose the Right Data Storage Solution

How to Choose the Right Data Storage Solution

Having the right backup solution for your business is vital for seamless operations. However, it can be difficult to determine which solution best fits your organisation’s needs.

Here are three essential questions you can ask yourself to make an informed decision:

1. How Large is Your Business?

The size of your organisation is a crucial factor to consider when choosing between cloud storage and data centre solutions.

A larger company with a significant amount of data may require a hybrid solution that combines both cloud storage and data centre options.

On the other hand, smaller companies may find that a cloud storage solution is sufficient for storing their data.

Plus, it can be a cost-effective option for smaller businesses that lack the resources to invest in a physical data centre infrastructure.

Read More: Disaster Recovery Plan for Small Businesses in Malaysia

2. Can the Data Storage Option Support Your Business’s Growth?

As your business grows, so does the data it generates and processes. Therefore, it’s crucial to employ backup storage solutions that can scale up to meet your evolving needs.

Furthermore, backup solutions solely relying on cloud storage or a physical data centre can severely restrict your options.

For example, relying only on cloud storage may limit your ability to access data in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Likewise, relying exclusively on a physical data centre can limit your storage capacity and may not be cost-effective as you scale up.

3. Does the Solution Automatically Back Up Your Data?

When backups are carried out manually, there is a greater chance of missing critical processes or performing tasks incorrectly.

To overcome these challenges, adopting a data storage solution that automatically backs up your data is best.

That way, your data is backed up regularly with a high degree of consistency and accuracy, minimising the possibility of human error.

Additionally, it ensures your data is safe and readily accessible whenever required.

Read More: Secure Hard Drive Disposal: 4 Important Things to Remember

Aegis Cloud Universal Backup (CUB)

Ultimately, the decision between a cloud storage solution and an onsite data centre will depend on a range of factors specific to each business, including:

  • Budget
  • Storage needs
  • Security requirements
  • Long-term growth plans

By assessing the advantages and disadvantages of each option, businesses can make an informed decision that best supports their success.

Aegis Cloud Universal Backup (CUB) is a robust and reliable backup solution that simplifies the backup and restoration process of your business’s critical data.

It seamlessly integrates with your current backup software, offering secure offsite data backup with complimentary, unlimited disaster recovery resources.

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