Sooner or later the old server in the corner needs replacing, and the same question comes up. Do we buy new hardware, or move to the cloud? There is no answer that suits everyone, but there is a sensible way to work it out.
Why people move to the cloud
- No big upfront cost. You pay monthly for what you use, instead of buying a server meant to last five years.
- It grows and shrinks with you. That suits businesses with busy seasons or ones that are growing fast.
- It keeps running. Platforms like Microsoft Azure have backup power, cooling and connections across several data centres.
- People can work from anywhere. Staff can reach their apps and files securely from home or on the road.
Why some systems stay in the office
- Speed for local work. Big files and some specialist software simply run faster on your own network.
- Less reliance on the internet. If your connection is unreliable, local systems keep working when it drops.
- Steady long term costs for systems that will not change much over the next few years.
- Full control over where your data sits and how your hardware is set up.
Questions to ask before you decide
- How reliable is our internet? Cloud services depend on it. If you go that way, think about a backup connection from a second provider.
- What rules apply to our data? Check where personal and regulated data is allowed to be stored, under Ghana’s Data Protection Act and any rules for your sector.
- What does it really cost? Add up hardware, licences, power, cooling, maintenance and staff time, not just the price of the server.
- How fast do we need to recover from a disaster? Recovery in the cloud is often faster and far cheaper than paying for a second building.
- Are we opening new branches? The cloud makes it much easier to add sites and connect them.
Why most businesses end up with a mix
For most of our clients the answer is a bit of both. They keep a few systems in the office for speed or because the internet is not always reliable, and move email, file sharing, backup and disaster recovery to the cloud. It is a practical middle ground.
Start with the things that gain the most from the cloud, usually email, file sharing and backup, and plan the rest over time.
Getting it right
A good move starts with an honest look at your current systems, costs and risks. From there you can plan it in stages, keep disruption low and end up with each system running in the place that suits it best.
If you would like a second pair of eyes on your setup, our engineers are happy to take a look. Get in touch or call us on +233 24 419 7610.