Today, cloud storage is a convenient service for storing and processing any information of users, which is closely integrated into desktop PCs and mobile operating systems on smartphones. We also actively use secure browsers to connect to cloud technologies. Every day we sync with the cloud and store a large number of photos, videos, documents, music and even passwords stored in other services.
The Cloud Is Expensive
It’s easier to buy a server and not spend a month renting a cloud server. Eventually, the cost of the physical server will pay off.
There is some truth in this opinion, but there are nuances. If you have a well-established business with clearly established and calculated loads, if you do not need regular equipment updates, then buying servers will be more profitable for you to rent.
However, if you plan to grow your business, you will need to expand your IT infrastructure. because it will no longer cope with the load. Unstable loads on the server with constant jumps can lead to hardware failure, business downtime and even loss of reputation.
If the load increases, you will have to increase the server capacity, buy more equipment, memory, disks. And this is an additional cost spent time searching / buying / installing equipment. And then, when the load is reduced, it is possible to stay with unused capacity and redundant equipment. When you rent a cloud server, you get a ready-made virtual server of the required configuration (you choose the number of virtual cores, RAM, disks) in a prepared and well-tuned environment, you do not need to worry about hardware and software – the cloud provider is fully responsible. The cloud uses a so-called pay-as-you-go fee, which means paying only for the resources you use. You can add or remove power while using the cloud.
The “high season” has come, the number of customers has increased, or your data volume has increased, you have decided to develop a new product / application and the required capacity – pay more, there is no need to pay less.
Also, when you buy a server, you pay the full amount for the equipment, and when you rent a cloud, you make a monthly payment, and you still have a budget that you can use at your discretion, for example, to invest in new projects.
The Cloud Is Difficult
Migration to the cloud is a complex process; also, specially trained staff will be needed to service the cloud infrastructure.
The above opinion is partly true.
Self-transition to the cloud is quite a difficult process, which requires:
- determine the needs of your business and based on them choose a model of infrastructure placement in the cloud;
- conduct an it audit, check the readiness of the infrastructure to move to the cloud;
- develop an optimal plan for migration to the cloud;
- prepare the infrastructure for the transition;
- carry out a test migration of users and data, as well as check the performance of services in the cloud;
- complete the transition and start using the cloud.
But you don’t have to do this difficult task on your own.
Contact your cloud service provider for assistance.
Cloud provider engineers are experts who are familiar with cloud technologies and are familiar with the specifics of the cloud platform, they will be able to ensure a high-quality and fast transition to the cloud.
The service provider maintains the physical servers (bare iron) on the basis of which the clouds are deployed: it updates them, ensures uninterrupted operation, and repairs them if the equipment breaks down.
One of your company’s IT staff will be able to administer and maintain the cloud virtual server, because the virtual server is the same hardware server that technical support administrators deal with on a daily basis, only virtualized.
The Cloud Is Dangerous
Your server is a secure, cyber-protected place to store important data, applications and services, and dangerous in the cloud.
This view is often heard about public clouds.
In such a cloud, resources are shared between multiple users who use the service at the same time.
This is the reason why many people think that other users will be able to access the confidential information of “neighbors” on the cloud.
In fact, users use the power of the cloud without having access to other users’ data.
Data is isolated by a hypervisor that divides servers into so-called instances or virtual machines.
The cloud tenant does not interact with other people’s data because the cloud architecture simply does not allow it.
The service provider also does not have access to customer data unless the customer has used the administration service provided by the provider.
If the company has increased requirements for data protection, you should use a private cloud – an isolated environment designed for one user (one company) and all the data will not fall into the wrong hands.
Or create a hybrid infrastructure and transfer to the cloud only part of the workload (applications, services), and the rest, critical for the company, leave in the local infrastructure.
The Cloud Is Irreversible
If you go to the cloud, it will be difficult to return to the local infrastructure, because you will have to rebuild the infrastructure, buy equipment, configure it.
Cloud technology in today’s world is the next step in the development of your business and digitalization.
Until recently, companies conducted their business, their reporting in paper form.
The transition to computers has made the whole work process much easier and faster: paper archives have been abolished, paperwork has been improved, and so on.
It is unlikely that today accountants will want to use calculators again instead of 1C, and managers will want to keep records of customers in a paper journal instead of a database.
A similar situation with the transition to the cloud.