Wednesday 13 April 2011

Cloud v/s On Premises Deployment

If you are wondering about what to choose between cloud and on-premises deployment for the next enterprise application in your organization, or are just curious about the whole hoopla surrounding cloud technologies, then the following is for you.

Cost & Maintenance:

In a typical On-Premises deployment, investment in setuplicensing, IT resources, maintenance, infrastructure, staffing, security/data-backup etc. could be a drain, especially for an SME (small or medium enterprise). Not only is it cost intensive, but it also eats into that most precious commodity for all senior executives - Time.

On the other hand, by leveraging the cloud technologies, one could eliminate setup fees, licensing hassles, maintenance and upgrade issues etc. No more running around for getting the upgrade patch for the installed software as it is not on your machines. For example, if an upgrade happens, it happens simultaneously for everyone. As it is at the provider's end, it is hassle free for the users and the IT managers. The local teams do not have to worry about data backup and security as they are managed by the provider.

Deployment Time:

One of the biggest advantages that Cloud has over On-Premises model is the deployment time. For e.g. Deskera, a leading provider for cloud based CRM and Enterprise applications, provides instantaneous access to the services that have been subscribed for. Compare this with the wait during the installation and setup required in a typical on-premises model.

Accessibility:

Being web-based applications that require only a browser and an internet connection, they are accessible from everywhere. One could use a hand held device while on the way to access the application and make an important entry or access the live dashboard to get the latest update on campaigns before an important meeting. Leveraging such real time accessibility could give an organization the cutting edge in the market.

Scalability:

When scaling up, hardware and software costs along with personnel costs could be a financial drain in the on-premises model.

However, by leveraging cloud based solutions, and with an On-Demand model, this becomes easier to manage for the enterprises. In case of scaling up, the number of subscriptions could be increased, and vice-versa, if scaling down, the subscriptions could be cancelled to meet business requirements. No additional costs and technology hassles for the IT managers and the enterprises as everything else is going to be managed by the provider.

In a nutshell, leveraging cloud based solutions with the right model could lead to great reductions in costs, free bandwidth by virtue of time. The correct solution would enable enterprises to focus on what they do best, running the business.

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