When storing and retrieving large volumes of data for your company, cloud data services offer a more affordable option than building and maintaining a data centre. However, choosing the right data storage solution requires careful consideration of several factors. 

What is A Cloud Storage Service? 

A Cloud Storage Service is an alternative to a data centre that is housed on the company’s actual property and operates as a cloud storage service. It makes the company’s data accessible online. The cloud provider protects data from failures and outages by performing regular maintenance and updates and frequently owning many data centres spread across different geographic areas.

What is a Data Centre?

A data centre is a place where servers are kept up to date on business property and where local network users can store and retrieve data. An on-site data centre is usually maintained by an internal IT staff. When choosing a cloud service or physical infrastructure to house your data, there are some considerations that you should think about before starting. 

What are the top three considerations when choosing a data centre?

1. Scalability Versus Customisability 

For businesses that require a specialised system to provide them with complete control over their data and infrastructure, a data centre is perfect. A company or start-up that runs a variety of apps and sophisticated workloads is better suited for a data centre as only the company uses this hardware infrastructure. A data centre can only hold so much, though. If your organisation needs to increase its data centre’s storage capacity and workload, you are in charge of acquiring and setting up new hardware as well as cutting-edge technology.

The capacity of a cloud-hosted data system may be infinite, contingent upon the products and service plans of your provider. The fact that the cloud provider owns and operates the data centre system means that you have less control over the hardware that is situated remotely. Additionally, your business will share hardware resources with other cloud customers unless you pay to have a private cloud within the vendor’s network.

2. Security Concerns

By using a cloud vendor, your business will give a third-party access to its data. The onus is on the cloud provider to make sure its security certifications are current. Every data centre where your cloud is housed needs to have the appropriate cybersecurity protections in place. Your cloud data is accessible to anyone with the right credentials from any location with an internet connection. 

While this is practical, it also creates a multitude of new entry points that need to be secured to guarantee the security of any data sent through them. The local network of your business is physically connected to a data centre. This makes it simpler to guarantee that saved apps and data are only accessible by those with devices and credentials authorised by the firm. 

3. Spending and Spending Plan

If your business constructs a data centre from the ground up, it will take a long time, and you will be in charge of managing and maintaining the system. A large data centre’s annual operating costs might range from $10 million to $25 million for a business.

It is more affordable to use a cloud service, particularly for small businesses. It is substantially less expensive and takes less time to set up and operate. After registering, the cloud service is practically immediately usable. The cloud provider should be able to scale your service up or down in response to changes in your company’s data needs. To accommodate this, the majority of businesses provide a variety of subscription programs.

Cloud storage solutions are a great tool for many small organisations. Cloud solutions eliminate the requirement for an extremely technical IT staff by handling all hardware and data storage issues. Cloud services are a great option for web-based companies, larger corporations, and SMBs who are growing swiftly because of their scalability. Cloud solutions are a good choice for businesses that are worried about disaster recovery because they provide a smooth method of recovering apps and data.

Even if cloud storage has advantages, internal data centres are still a good choice for many companies that have well-established on-premises architecture. An internal data centre can be the best option for a business that values data ownership, control, and security and has a strong IT department.

When choosing a data centre it is important to consider factors that can impact your business’ offering such as scalability, security, and spending plans. This will ensure that you can meet your customer’s demands while keeping their data safe and balancing safety, various forms of access, and cost. 

Your AI Data Center Solution 

Choosing the right data centre is essential for your business’s success in AI. Sharon AI offers scalable, secure, and cost-effective data centre solutions designed to meet the unique demands of generative AI. Our facilities, powered by 100% green energy, provide high-performance computing and reliable infrastructure. Whether you’re a startup, SME, or large enterprise, our specialised services ensure you stay ahead in the AI revolution. Contact us today to learn how Sharon AI can support your growth and innovation.