Cloud Vs. Physical Server Solutions

Cloud computing has become a popular and convenient way of storing, accessing, and processing data and applications over the internet. Many small businesses have embraced the cloud as a way of reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and enhancing collaboration. However, cloud computing is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your business may be better suited to a hybrid environment and our team at EZ Micro can help you evaluate the options. We assist you in exploring your unique business case and what solutions will work best in your environment.

When we help you evaluate the solution for your business, we explore your current practices and how to optimize security, privacy, customization, and reliability. In today’s business environment, protecting data is paramount to building customer trust, getting cyber insurance, and protecting your assets. With a physical server, you generally have greater customization over data and applications because you are not bound by the terms and conditions of the cloud provider. In any solution, there are multiple factors to consider for reliability to reduce the impact of outages, maximize your infrastructure resources, and ensure business continuity and recovery. Our experts assess your environment and provide recommendations and information so you can implement the best plan for your business.

There are some data and applications that are better suited for the cloud than for server solutions. For example:

• Email and communication tools, such as Microsoft 365 and Teams, allow you to stay in touch with your team and customers from anywhere and on any device.
• Online collaboration and productivity tools, such as Microsoft 365 , SharePoint, and One Drive, enable you to create, share, and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with your team and customers in real time.
• Cloud-based accounting and invoicing software, such as QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks, and Xero, which help manage your finances, track expenses, and send invoices and receipts to customers.
• Cloud-based marketing and customer relationship management (CRM) software, such as Mailchimp, HubSpot, and Salesforce, which assist in creating and executing marketing campaigns, managing leads and contacts, and analyzing customer feedback and behavior.

On the other hand, there are some data and applications that you may prefer to keep on a local server, either because they are too sensitive, too complex, or too specific for the cloud. For example:

• Proprietary software and databases, which contain confidential information and intellectual property that you don’t want to expose to the cloud.
• Legacy software and hardware, which may not be compatible or optimized for the cloud or may require special licenses or configurations that the cloud provider may not support.
• Customized software and applications, which may have unique features or functions that the cloud provider may not offer or accommodate.

With EZ Micro, you have a partner who can help you evaluate the impacts of cloud and server solutions on your specific business case. Rather than trying to force a business into a certain mold, we work with you and adapt to your needs. We help you enjoy the flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of the cloud, while maintaining the security, control, and reliability of your own infrastructure.

When you are ready to learn more, please fill out this form, book an appointment, or give us a call at 610-264-1232.