On-premise server or cloud: what suits your company

It is one of the infrastructure decisions companies ask about most: should I set up a server in the office or move to the cloud? There is no single answer, there is one that fits your case. We give you the criteria to decide without being oversold in either direction.

What each option is

An on-premise server is a physical machine in your office where your data and applications live. You control it, but you also maintain it, cool it, secure it and replace it every few years.

The cloud means renting that capacity from a provider like Microsoft Azure or Google, which provides the machine, maintains it and serves it to you over the internet. You pay for use and forget about the hardware, but you depend on your connection and a monthly fee.

On-premise server or cloud: the comparison

When each fits

The on-premise server still makes sense if you handle a lot of data locally, use applications that run better in the office, or your internet connection is not reliable. The cloud fits if your team works remotely, you want to forget about hardware, you need to grow or shrink flexibly, or you prefer to swap a big investment for a fee.

The option that often wins: hybrid

Many companies do not choose just one. They keep locally what calls for it and move to the cloud the email, files and applications that benefit from remote access. What matters is not the trend, it is what your business needs. We set it up both ways within our infrastructure and cloud service.

One thing that does not change

Whatever you choose, you need real backups. The cloud does not free you from that: you also have to back up what you have in Microsoft 365, as we explain in Microsoft 365 backup.

Frequently asked questions

What is better for a company, an on-premise server or the cloud?

It depends on your case. An on-premise server fits a lot of local data and an unreliable connection; the cloud fits remote work, flexibility and forgetting about hardware. Many companies end up with a hybrid solution.

Is the cloud cheaper than an on-premise server?

Not always. The cloud avoids the upfront investment but is an ongoing fee; the on-premise server is a one-off investment renewed every four or five years. The calculation depends on your usage and your horizon.

Can I have part on-premise and part in the cloud?

Yes, that is the hybrid option and it is very common: you keep locally what needs it and move to the cloud what benefits from remote access.