The cloud isn’t a bad thing. It’s just not the automatic answer to everything
The cloud is an excellent tool when a company needs to launch a new project quickly, test a service, scale performance or avoid an initial investment in infrastructure. In many cases, it makes perfect sense.
The problem arises when the cloud becomes the automatic go-to solution even for systems that no longer make use of its flexibility. After several years of operation, it may become apparent that part of the environment is running stably, has predictable requirements, and costs are rising mainly because the original rationale for using the cloud no longer applies.
That is no reason for an ideological debate. It is a reason for an operational review.
Which systems should we focus on?
It typically makes sense to look at systems that have been running for a long time and whose requirements do not change significantly. These may include Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, production databases, in-house applications, integration servers, backup systems or parts of the infrastructure where a company requires its own hardware or specific control over the environment.
For such systems, elasticity may no longer be the key factor. Cost predictability, physical control, performance, security, connectivity and clearly defined operating conditions may be more important.
The practical implications of such a model are demonstrated by Introduction to the SafeDX data centre.
Colocation in a professional data centre is therefore not a step backwards. It is a practical model for stable enterprise systems that are designed to operate reliably over the long term.
Hybrid IT as a realistic model
The question isn’t whether to choose the cloud or a data centre. Modern corporate IT often needs both. Some services fall under Software as a Service (SaaS) – that is, ready-made cloud applications provided as a service – whilst others are hosted in the public cloud; some may run on the organisation’s own infrastructure in a data centre, and certain systems will remain on-premises.
It is important to make decisions based on the nature of the specific application. Does it require rapid scaling? Does it experience irregular peaks in demand? Is it linked to data or systems that must remain under direct control? What are the long-term costs? What are the requirements in terms of availability, security and management?
Once a company stops asking general questions and starts assessing individual systems, its decisions tend to be much more accurate.
What colocation offers for stable operations
Colocation enables a company to operate its own hardware in an environment designed for such operations. The company retains control over the infrastructure, but does not need to build and operate the physical facilities within its own premises.
A data centre provides power, cooling, connectivity, physical security, monitoring and operational processes. The network layer for such operations is covered by the service ConnectivityDX.
For stable systems, it may also make sense to combine colocation with a managed firewall, a virtual private network (VPN) and monitoring within a single operational model. This aspect is covered by the service FirewallDX.
Costs are generally more predictable than in environments where consumption and the operating model vary depending on the cloud services and their mix.
For stable systems, this model can be very sensible. Not because the cloud is a bad thing, but because some applications no longer need to pay for flexibility they do not use.
Would you like to find out which parts of your IT infrastructure are best suited to the cloud and which to colocation?
SafeDX will work with you to review both operational and technical parameters without any pre-determined conclusion. The outcome may be a public cloud, a private cloud, rack housing, server colocation, or a combination of several models, depending on what makes the most sense for your specific systems.
If you’re looking for your own infrastructure in a data centre, start with the service RackHousingDX. For a cloud model offering greater control over the environment, it makes sense to visit the service’s page separately Private cloud.