Many modern businesses rely on in-house server hardware, enjoying the perceived sense of security it provides. After all, you can see it, you can touch it, your data is literally at arm’s reach… what could happen?

Well, a brownout… and that’s just for starters.

While there are many benefits to an in-house infrastructure, there are also many shortcomings. For one, your business is among the most dangerous places to store your data.

“I’ve Relied On My Server for Years… Why is it Suddenly a Bad Thing?”

To be clear, it isn’t necessarily bad to have a server at your place of business… the issue is if it’s the only place your data is stored. Most businesses will—primarily out of necessity and perceived limitations—keep this essential piece of hardware in a closet, with minimal (if any) climate controls, a single power source, and a single Internet connection.

Combine that with the inevitability that the hard drives in that server will fail at some point, and you have a serious issue brewing. Nothing lasts forever, and when those drives go, your server will be out of commission until you can replace it, set it back up, and restore all your data from a backup (which you absolutely need to have).

In just about every comparison, the server is massively outperformed by modern cloud options.

A Side-by-Side Comparison of an On-Premise Server and the Cloud

Tell me, would you rather have…

• Everything relying on a single power supply, or a generator providing you with all the redundant power you could ever need?
• A single connection to the Internet, or multiple fiber connections?
• A locked door and cameras protecting your infrastructure, or a comprehensive security and authentication system featuring biometrics and security guards at all hours?
• Vulnerability to fire, or protection from it provided by an advanced fire suppression system?
• All your data saved in one spot, or multiple copies of it saved in geographically diverse locations?

The first options are what you can expect from an on-premise server, whereas the latter are what the cloud can provide. This makes the question of whether the cloud is a good business decision much simpler, doesn’t it?

The next question to ask: how are you going to adopt it?

We’re Here to Help You Put the Cloud to Good Use

If you’ve made it this far, it may seem as though First Column IT is made up of a bunch of cloud fanatics. While not entirely untrue, it would be more accurate to say we’re more focused on ensuring the businesses we work with have the right tools to get their jobs done. It just so happens that the cloud is one of the best, most economical, and convenient ways to accomplish this right now. Instead of working through capital expenses that take a chunk out of your budget every few years, we’ll help make your IT spending much more predictable through ongoing operational costs.

Reach out to us at 571) 470-5594 to find out more about what First Column IT can do for you and your business’ technology.

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