Did you know that “the cloud” isn’t just one cloud?
There are actually three types of cloud computing: private, public and hybrid. Here we explain why private cloud computing can be so much better for your business than public, or even hybrid clouds.
1. The Highest Level of Security
Security is the #1 draw to private cloud computing (you probably noticed that this section is huge – it’s for a good reason!). The private cloud is famous for offering a heightened level of security that the public, and even hybrid clouds can’t quite beat.
This is particularly important for companies abiding by regulatory compliance. It should come as no surprise that some of the most popular users of private cloud computing are in banking and finance, large enterprises, and government organizations.
The security of private cloud computing comes from a few factors:
- Your cloud is just that – yours. You aren’t sharing storage with other companies that you don’t even know about (like with public cloud computing), and your infrastructure can be configured to your exact specifications.
- Private cloud providers can tell you exactly where your data is being stored, and exactly which employees are handling it. Public clouds just can’t provide this level of transparency, and hybrid clouds can only do so to a certain point.
- Private cloud computing is deployed inside the provider’s firewall and with dedicated intrusion prevention systems (IPS) and customized networking, ensuring continual optimal performance.
- If your cloud provider also has disaster recovery expertise (like Protos Technologies Services), then the cloud computing solution can be seamlessly enhanced with DR solutions as well, adding disaster resilience against data loss and downtime.
- All of these factors make meeting compliance easy, and companies often find it easier than if they’re handling their data on their own.
2. More Control
With the private cloud, you have full control and transparency over who can access your data.
Not only can the cloud provider tell you exactly where your data is being stored (information that public clouds can rarely provide), but they can tell you exactly what employees can access your data. You can also ensure that only specific, authorized users have access.
A public cloud is a one-size-fits-all approach, not allowing for customization of resources or services. With a public cloud you have little to no control over your data or infrstracture (and with the hybrid cloud, this control is only limited). With private cloud computing, you can scale your environment and play around with additional solutions as-needed, like high availability (HA) or disaster recovery (DR).
3. Advanced Monitoring and Management
When you outsource your data management with a private cloud solution, you gain the expertise of a dedicated staff that is monitoring your data and applications 24/7.
This is particularly useful to IBM users running on iSeries or AIX. With certified engineers keeping track of your critical data, you gain expertise on your team that is both difficult to find and costly to maintain in-house.
If you have an in-house IT staff, they will also be significantly unburdened, and be able to focus on maintaining your in-house operations at their best.
4. Adding To Your Expertise
Let’s face it – you’re experts in what you’re doing, and we’re not.
Likewise, you probably won’t have the same expertise that we do (at least let’s hope not – we’ve been at this for over 20 years).
By moving off-premise with private cloud computing, you can refocus your efforts on your company’s services and clients while a team of certified experts focuses on your data. This is particularly useful to IBM users running on iSeries or AIX. With certified engineers keeping track of your critical data, you gain expertise on your team that is both difficult to find and costly to maintain in-house.
5. Getting More For Your Money
The public cloud might be cheaper, but that doesn’t mean it offers the same functionality at a better price.
You could also buy a new mattress for $100 on Amazon, but let’s face the facts – you probably wouldn’t. Why not? Because some things are worth spending a little more money on. Safety and security both fall into that category, especially when it has to do with your data.
While private cloud computing might be more expensive than public or hybrid cloud computing, you’re getting more bang for your buck, because:
- You only pay for what you use
- You significantly reduce hardware and software costs
- You’ll have the same, predictable monthly costs, rather than unpredictable spikes associated with managing your own hardware (upgrades and maintenance that you can’t always budget for)
- Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can take advantage of enterprise-level resources with an SMB price tag
- With a provider like Protos Technologies, disaster recovery services are included
Our Unisys-expert engineers provide full support and disaster recovery solutions for hosted systems.
For more information on private cloud computing for Unisys, IBM Power Systems, or Mainframes, contact us today at 317-707-3941.