In today's digital age, it's no surprise that businesses are constantly seeking ways to improve their technology infrastructure and stay ahead of the competition.
One trend we're seeing among the most tech-savvy businesses is a shift towards cloud solutions. Gartner says that over 95% of new digital workloads will be deployed on cloud-native platforms by 2025, up from 30% in 2021.
When most people think of Cloud, they think of large-scale public cloud providers, but private cloud is becoming a more viable option for companies seeking certainty around data sovereignty, and performance.
So what exactly is a private cloud, and why are so many businesses making the switch?
How private cloud works
Simply put, private cloud is a cloud computing solution that is completely customised to your needs. This means that the hardware, software, and infrastructure are all dedicated to your organisation's specific requirements.
A good private cloud solution will consider your unique compliance, regulatory, and risk tolerance concerns. Additionally, it will meet all regulatory and client compliance standards.
The types of businesses best suited to private cloud
So, is private cloud a good fit for your business? Essentially, any business that values security, customisation, and performance can benefit from a private cloud solution. This includes businesses in regulated industries such as healthcare and finance, companies like startups on a huge growth trajectory, as well as those with high performance needs or large amounts of sensitive data.
It's worth noting that private cloud may not be the best choice for every organisation – for example small businesses who rely mostly on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) to run their businesses, or larger businesses looking to provide a high degree of elasticity in meeting demand (such as public web-based applications). In these instances, you might like to explore a public or hybrid cloud strategy.
Why are businesses choosing private clouds over traditional public cloud solutions?
Businesses are choosing private clouds for a few tech savvy reasons. A few of the key benefits include:
1. Enhanced security
Public cloud providers are exposed to a higher risk of malicious traffic as they handle millions of users and transactions at any time. With a dedicated private cloud solution, your organisation has complete control over your server, network, and application security – and you can opt to boost your protection with other optional managed security services.
2. Greater control over configuration and hosting
Using private cloud, you can choose exactly where your data and software reside, and how they are accessed. That means you have control over the configuration and hosting of individual elements in your cloud when compared to public cloud solutions. This is a clear benefit to organisations that must meet strict regulatory requirements regarding data protection and security – for example GDPR or ASD-8.
3. Reliable performance
Say goodbye to unpredictable availability and performance. Private cloud offers users the same agility, scalability, and efficiency as public cloud, but will meet the demands of unpredictable and heavy usage. The speed, reliability and flexibility delivered by private cloud mean you don’t have to worry about downtime or complex migrations.
4. Data sovereignty
There are no data sovereignty issues with private cloud. You can confidently transfer, store, and use sensitive data and mission-critical apps in a location of your choice.
Using a Managed Service Provider for your private cloud
Now that we've covered the basics of private clouds, let's talk about managed service providers (MSPs).
MSPs are third-party companies that manage and maintain an organisation's IT infrastructure, including their private cloud solution. Engaging an MSP can have many benefits, including:
- Expertise: MSPs have a team of experienced IT professionals who can manage and maintain your private cloud solution, ensuring that it is running smoothly and efficiently. This can save your business time and resources, as you don't have to worry about hiring and training in-house IT staff.
- Cost savings: MSPs can often offer cost savings compared to hiring in-house IT staff, as they can spread the cost of their expertise across multiple clients. Plus, less hardware and software upfront means a reduction in capital costs, including warranties and update fees. Decreasing overheads can help improve cash flow for your business.
- Scalability: MSPs can help businesses scale their IT infrastructure as needed, allowing them to easily expand or contract their private cloud solution as business needs change.
Australian businesses are already taking advantage of these perks. According to Telsyte, over 1 in 4 (29%) of organisations already work with third parties to manage their cloud services, a big jump from 5% in 2019.
With all this in mind, it’s easy to see why the most tech savvy businesses are turning to private cloud: for increased security, customisation, and performance.
Engaging a managed service provider can further enhance the benefits of a private cloud solution. If your business values expertise, cost savings and scalability, a private cloud and MSP may be the right choice for you.
Reach out today to speak to our team about SmartCLOUD – The Missing Link’s owned and operated private cloud solution.
