Private Cloud vs. Microsoft Azure
Trying to figure out which cloud solution is right for you? Before you sign up with a big provider like Microsoft (or Amazon), make sure you know what more streamlined and customizable private cloud services have to offer.
Have you stayed off the cloud bandwagon so far?
While it is wise to be skeptical of new technology, it will not be long until you are all alone. The cloud is one of the biggest technological industries worldwide — private cloud adoption is at 72% as of 2019.
Day by day, more and more business leaders are recognizing and harnessing the advantages offered by the cloud. If you do not catch up soon, you will fall behind.
Hesitation is understandable, however, because the cloud can be extremely complicated. From the nature of the cloud to its many applications and features, you could spend weeks trying to evaluate options for your organization and still be lost. You could also end up configuring a solution that may be too simple and not account for much needed cyber security protection, exposing your business and your clients to greater risk of breach and possible fines and penalties depending on your industry regulations, or specific state privacy standards.
That is why we have developed this simple guide, to help you assess the two primary models of cloud solutions, and whether they are the right match for your organization’s needs.
Why Move To The Cloud At All?
Just in case you are unsure, let us briefly explore the benefits offered by the cloud in general. The cloud is a cost-effective way to access additional IT resources and improve the user experience.
Key benefits include:
- Outsourced Infrastructure: You get a third party to handle the hardware component of your cloud, and all the expensive maintenance that comes with it.
- Extended Support: Instead of having your in-house team or outsourced IT company takes care of your infrastructure, the experts from a third party handle it for you.
By working with a third party, you get increased flexibility, scalability, and availability, without having to maintain your own infrastructure. In other words, there is no point in building and managing a compliant data center when you can pay someone else to do it for you
The Private Cloud Vs. Microsoft Azure
Azure is Microsoft’s enterprise-grade cloud computing platform. You and your team can rely on this solution to help you cut costs by hosting off-site, as well as benefit from a totally scalable configuration that fits your needs. But costs savings depend on the proper configuration and may be impacted by any growth in your business or IT needs.
Private cloud services, on the other hand, are offered by smaller providers. And while, yes, this could mean a smaller economy of scale and not quite the same resources, there are plenty of benefits available to those who opt for this model of cloud services.
The primary differences you need to understand include:
- Access, Control And Security: Microsoft Azure has no geographical restrictions, which makes access easy, but does not provide the same level of security as a private cloud solution. Azure’s servers could be in a different country, and therefore, governed by a different range of privacy and security regulations. Furthermore, Microsoft does not give warnings as to when instances are shut down for maintenance, affecting your control over your data. The private cloud is more secure and provides more direct control over the storage of your data. With a smaller private cloud vendor, you will know exactly where your data is. Your private cloud platform will be configured for optimum performance, with the appropriate security options required by your industry regulations and state privacy laws, all within a manageable and predictable budget.
- Reliability And Resilience: In situations where the database is not located in the same data center, Microsoft Azure users can encounter lag and availability issues. On the other hand, private cloud options offer a greater level of reliability, with a more resilient network that can account for individual failures.
- Cost And Use Of Resources: Microsoft Azure offers a per-user pricing model, which can be effective for small businesses with simple requirements. However, it should be noted that Azure only offers infrastructure and application maintenance — any deployment and set up is the user’s responsibility, which usually means having to hire another third party for migration and management. Furthermore, Azure’s virtual machines are not independently load-balanced, requiring someone to monitor and adjust as needed. Private cloud options maximize the use of available hardware through virtualization, keeping costs as low as possible. You also benefit from having direct contact with the team maintaining and managing your cloud, as compared to the impersonal support you would get from a massive provider like Microsoft.
- Personal and Customized Service: With Microsoft Azure, users must fit into a predetermined service that has been designed for thousands of types and sizes of businesses. There is no uptime guarantee, and there is no consistent point of contact or account manager. By opting for a private cloud service instead, you can dictate how your cloud is configured and operates. Anytime you need support, you can directly contact your account manager, providing an unbeatable level of consistent and personal support.
Microsoft Azure vs. The Private Cloud: Which Is Right For You?
While we cannot decide which is best for your particular business model, we can certainly help you rationalize the options, considering variables which, in today’s climate, must include cybersecurity and data privacy.
However, to provide some direction, we have summarized the most general case for each option:
- Microsoft Azure: If your organization already relies on Microsoft solutions, and is looking for a simple, basic option, then Azure may be the easiest choice for you. However, you will miss out on customizable services, and features that will better suit more complex needs in terms of configuration and security.
- Private Cloud: If your organization has specific demands for how its cloud is to be deployed, managed, and accessed, private cloud services are the best choice for you. You will have more control over the way your cloud operates, providing a higher level of security and customization.
If you are still undecided or would like help in your evaluation, reach out to our team.
Mathe Will Guide You To The Right Cloud Platform
Mathe helps clients evaluate their options and determine which solution best meets their needs.
No matter where you are with the cloud, our team of IT specialists can provide troubleshooting assistance or strategic advice, helping you to leverage the power of these cloud technologies to their benefit.
- Migration Management: If you are not sure which solution is right for you or how to migrate all your workstations, we’ll walk you through the entire migration process, handling each step along the way to make sure it goes smoothly.
- Comprehensive Support: We offer onsite and remote support to help you resolve any sort of configuration and/or troubleshooting issues right away. If we are not able to remotely resolve the issue, we will come onsite to help you out.
- Employee Training: A vital component of the success strategy of any software offering is the ability for a business’ employees to understand it well enough to utilize it to its fullest potential. We are here to walk your staff through any new features or applications.
Schedule a complimentary consultation with the Mathe team to determine whether a private cloud solution is a right fit for you.
With over 35 years in the business of supporting and implementing technology for the SME market, and 6 years previously in Corporate IT and Voice. I have seen a great deal of change. The only common thread is I have always focused on the Business Wise application of Technology. We always try to look 5 years ahead of the current technology to make sure our clients are on the right track to meet current and future needs.
