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On-Premise vs Cloud

As more and more businesses move from on-premises to cloud-based solutions, deciding whether to migrate your current print infrastructure can be challenging. This page highlights the pros and cons of each option to help you evaluate the best fit for your business. Discover key factors such as scalability, cost, data security, and flexibility to decide whether on-premises or cloud printing is right for you.

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On-premise vs. cloud: wondering whether it’s time to migrate?

More and more businesses are transitioning from on-premises solutions (IT infrastructure held and managed on site) to the cloud (IT infrastructure held and operated by a third party with tools and applications accessed via online login). When it comes to printer infrastructure, is on-premises to cloud migration right for your business?

To help in your decision-making, weigh up the pros and cons of each option against some key questions:

• Are you fully committed to on-premises infrastructure, or are you scaling back?

• Is your current set-up fit for purpose?

• Are you bound by industry regulations to manage your data in a certain way?

• Do your users need greater flexibility and control over how they access tools and applications, such as printing?

Uncover the ideal solutions for your business as we navigate you through the page, showcasing tailored options designed to drive your success and help you make the right decision.

How to calculate your current IT costs

Before you can make a clear decision about on-premises or cloud, it’s important to assess what your current IT setup is costing you:

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Hardware

Consider the costs of networks and servers as well as devices, such as laptops and smartphones

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Software

Look at the applications and SaaS costs you already incur

A back image of a professional it specialist working in data center maintaining the on-premise server structure.

Labour

Include the costs – salaries, training etc. – of IT staff

A person’s hands typing on a laptop connected to a server rack, illustrating IT infrastructure.

Downtime/lost time

Whether it’s downtime caused by external factors, such as network outages or security breaches, or lost time arising from dealing with IT issues and network connections, every minute lost has a financial cost.

Cloud-based vs. on-premises: key considerations

What might be a clear benefit for one business might be a cause for concern for another. The following should help you build a clearer picture of whether on-premises or cloud is right for your business:

Cloud on-premise
Scalability Cloud solutions are subscription-based, making adding or removing users a simple task. Scaling on-premises IT infrastructure requires planning, expertise and capital investment.
Flexibility Cloud computing enables users to access data and applications from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. On premises infrastructure is more limiting and usually requires users to be logged in to the network.
Data security In cloud-based solutions, data is held in a secure environment by a third party, but it’s important to check where the data is held. On-premises infrastructure means data is held and managed on-site – a legal requirement for some industries.
Costs Cloud solutions usually mean a monthly payment based on the number of users, without the need for investment upfront. On-premises infrastructure can be a significant financial investment and costly to maintain.
Customisation Cloud solutions tend to be limited to the provider’s built-in functionality. With the right expertise, on-premises infrastructure can be customised to suit the specific needs of an organisation.

What’s the right choice for your business?

The decision ultimately comes down to priorities. For those that need to comply with specific industry regulations, such as banking services and healthcare, on-premises infrastructure may be required. For others, the scalability and flexibility the cloud offers might make the decision clear-cut.

 

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The Toshiba team has completely taken away the stress from my IT Department. Not only are they flexible, knowledgeable and proactive, but nothing is ever too much trouble, and if we do have any issues they are resolved in a timely manner. So, when we were looking to migrate from our on-premise servers to a cloud-based alternative, we sought the advice of the team on the best solution to meet the business objectives.
Virgin Active

FAQ

What’s the main difference between on-premise and cloud?

On-premises systems run locally on your company’s servers and require expensive hardware, whereas cloud systems are cost-efficient, hosted on the provider’s servers, and accessed online.

Are cloud solutions secure?

Cloud providers typically offer robust security measures. However, it’s crucial to overview each provider’s security protocols and data encryption standards.

Which is more cost-effective: cloud or on-premise?

Cloud solutions generally have lower upfront costs but may incur ongoing fees. On-premise costs more initially but can be more cost-effective over time, depending on your specific needs.

Can I access cloud services offline?

No, cloud services require an internet connection for access. On-premise systems, however, may offer offline capabilities.

What’s the scalability difference?

Cloud solutions are easily scalable with minimal effort. In contrast, on-premise systems may require additional hardware, software and setup to achieve scalability.

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Ready to discuss migrating your printing infrastructure to the cloud?

Get in touch today.

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