How to decide between a cloud IT system, and a traditional IT system

Lets define the two options:

  • A traditional or ‘on-premise’ IT system hosts your apps and data on local computer resources, like desktops, laptops, and physical servers in your office.

  • AION instead hosts your apps and data in the cloud which is managed by us. Your computers become terminals, and no data storage or processing occurs outside the cloud.

In terms of which to choose, there’s no right or wrong answer - it depends on your business needs.

The advantages of AION over traditional / on-premise are:

  1. Effectively work from anywhere, securely.

  2. Easily scale and change your IT to suit demand.

  3. No expensive and disruptive IT upgrades every five years, and significantly lower costs when your business grows.

  4. Better resilience against equipment failure, and natural disaster.

  5. Easy budgeting and fixed-rate unlimited tech support.

  6. Built-in cybersecurity and 24/7 threat monitoring.

  7. Complete turn-key solution, with everything you need included.

The drawbacks when compared to a traditional IT system are:

  1. Higher total cost of ownership over a five year period.

  2. Requires an internet connection to access.

In summary, AION offers a number of advantages but also carries a higher cost when compared to a traditional IT system, usually around 25% more over a five year period.

For this reason, a cloud IT system is not for everyone. It’s important to evaluate your options and make an informed decision. Contact us for help with this process.

Other types of IT systems

Less popular options include:

  • Hybrid cloud software

    In this system, you use computers and laptops for your applications and processing, but some server functions and data storage is done in the cloud.

    This is only possible if your business is built entirely on software-as-a-service packages such as Microsoft Office 365.

    In addition, as your business grows, IT management overhead will increase exponentially, resulting in IT problems and higher risk of cyber attack. This is due to the difficulties that arise with managing a fleet of individual computers that are not connected to an IT system.

    This option is suitable for very small businesses with less than 5 staff, and very basic IT requirements.

  • Private cloud, co-location, or hosted virtual servers

    This involves your company or your IT provider setting up server(s) in a datacentre. These can be physical or virtual, but are bespoke to your business.

    This option allows remote working and can improve resilience against equipment failure, but still requires expensive and disruptive IT upgrades every five years, and may require costly hardware and long contract terms.

    The end result will not be as effective as AION Cloud, as it will not be optimized as well. Many of the technologies used to deliver AION are not accessible without purchase minimums and partner certification, and require specialist knowledge that is beyond the skillset of most Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs).

    This option is better suited to larger businesses with more than 200 staff, very specific technical requirements, or an internal IT team.

  • On-premise cloud

    It’s possible to build your own cloud not in a datacentre, but in your office. This affords many of the benefits of a cloud IT system while ensuring maximum control.

    However, it requires major investment in computer hardware, internet connectivity, physical security, and long-term building lease or ownership - and so is out of reach of most businesses.