In a world where following the herd is often the standard operating procedure, many businesses are switching to a cloud-based system like Microsoft Azure for only one reason – everyone else is doing it.
So why would you choose Azure over On-Premise?
We understand that cloud-based services like Azure are the new black, but this does not mean you should go ahead and jump to a new technology without learning about it. There must be some reasonable explanation to choose Azure cloud-based services and the like. So businesses must look into how Azure syncs with the business needs and work style and then make the choice.
This is what we believe in at Greendata – to educate our clients about the latest technology and to help them make a decision that best fits their needs.
New technology is often a key factor in the success of businesses but only if it is assessed meaningfully before implementation.
In this article, we have compared Microsoft Azure and on-premise. We will try to provide our readers with a logical explanation why Azure can make a good fit for their business and how it works best for you.
To begin with, businesses now have multiple options when it comes to CRM and data centers. You have an option to work with on-premise, cloud or even hybrid system (a combo of both cloud and on-premise). It all depends on your business needs, your work culture and, of course, your business style.
So let’s explore the options you have.
On-Premise
Before there was a cloud, on-premise was the only option for businesses. Which means you keep the data secure on local servers, and have LAN that connects servers and workstations. Businesses needed IT admins to manage their local server and also their Local Area Network.
But as issues arise with scalability, high maintenance cost, and also the risks involved with physical and virtual security, so businesses had to look for a better alternative.
And that’s where cloud-based services came in.
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is the latest technology, based on cloud-based services specifically designed for businesses. Businesses have an option to go full cloud or follow a hybrid approach, with the gradual switch from on-premise to cloud.
So why to shift from your data from on-premise to Azure?
Speed
When it comes to speed, Microsoft Azure is well ahead of the on-premise solution in terms of deployment speed, operation, and speed of scalability.
For example, if you want to expand your operations, team, or workload, Azure is easier and faster to adapt to new changes compared to on-premise that may need new machines, more power, servers, cooling capacity, and physical space etc.
Agility with Azure VM
This is one of the most powerful features in Azure. Azure VM (Virtual Machines) allows you to create your own customised virtual machines within seconds by defining an operating system, language, and workload. Something that is not possible with on-premise as you need multiple machines for multiple operating systems.
This makes it easier for businesses to experiment more. They can test, develop, and get feedback working on different virtual machines in a faster way. This provides more flexibility as your teams can do more with their machines. The ability to switch between Linux or Windows on the same machine, with a different set of tools and applications, that too within seconds, is a powerful feature for employees.
Azure Active Directory (AD)
Azure Active Directory is another key benefit over on-premise LAN with the domain controller. With Azure AD (which is a multi-tenant, cloud-based directory and identity management service), IT admins can give employees single sign-on (SSO) access to multiple cloud SaaS applications like DropBox, Office 365 and more.
In addition, it offers an extensive suite of identity management services which include device registration, multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, self-service group management, application usage monitoring and few more features. These services allow businesses to keep control of processes and to secure cloud-based application and their usage.
Cost Effective
Here is the biggest concern of businesses, the ultimate question – does it make financial sense for your business? In most cases, it does, by a good margin. With Azure, you don’t have to invest in new machines, infrastructure, or replace aging servers. You don’t need more space for infrastructure and servers.
Azure, on the other hand, offers flexible expenditure which means, you pay according to your needs. You pay more to get more. You can also save on energy, space, and cooling costs you need for on-premise servers and other machines. So the savings and benefits keep coming.
Security
For many businesses, security is the key reason why they want to stick with on-premise. With locally hosted data, some people believe that they have better data security compared to cloud-based storage.
But this is nothing but a myth. Azure services (like active directory and Vnet) make sure that businesses enjoy top-notch security for their data. There are other features like Single Sign-on (SSO) that eliminates the risk of password hacks.
Azure not only provides better virtual security for your data but it completely eliminates the risk of physical security as you don’t have on-premise servers to take care of in your buildings.
A Holistic Solution for your Business
Azure is not only about easy access to data, security and cloud-based storage – but it offers much more to businesses. It offers a complete delivery pipeline to businesses which include source control, unit testing, integration testing, delivery, and live tools and applications.
Azure is recommended not just because everyone is jumping to cloud-based servers and data centers, but because it makes sense for your business. It has better security features, offers speed, reliability, scalability, and cost saving.
You don’t have to worry about the infrastructure, security, physical servers, patching, redundancy and updates with Azure – Microsoft handles everything for your business.
Another option is to go hybrid if you are not comfortable with shifting to the full cloud. Microsoft offers sync tools to create a bridge between on-premise and Azure. One such tool is Forefront Identity Manager (FIM) that integrates with Active Directory and Exchange Server to provide identity synchronization, certificate management, etc.
In the end, it is your choice to choose between on-premise, hybrid, or Azure as data center and CRM.
Our preference at Greendata is the hybrid or Azure setup, this is due to the visible benefits they offer over an on-premise solution.
So would you choose Azure or On-Premise?
We realise this is a big decision for businesses and one that shouldn’t be made hastily at all. Every business has different needs and wants and some businesses are happy to keep what they have, because, well, it still works.
We get that, but sometimes it pays to be pro-active rather than reactive especially when making the choice to start using Azure to safely store and manage your business’s data and more.
So why not give us call and see how finalising the decision to choose Azure can benefit you short term and in the long term too. All businesses are so different so a workable solution for you will be vastly different for somebody else, and that’s why we meet and talk with our customers. It might only take a phone call and a few meetings to get to the best solutions for you.
So give us a call on 07 5526 0278 or send us a message on our “Let’s Connect” page and get ready for a cool change.
