In-House and Outsourced Cloud Platforms: Advantages and Solutions

By Michael Brown 1

Companies of course have many options when it comes to cloud solutions these days, including cloud-based file sharing. Whether they leverage in house cloud operations or outsource it to someone like a managed service provider, it seems that most are recognizing that the cloud is where they need to be. Off-shore, domestic and near-shore data centers, before the cloud’s induction, have been well-known cornerstones of insourced and outsourced data, but innovative cloud solutions, and traditional option additions, are creating multiple advantages worldwide.

It’s no surprise such options are boosting data center optimization while providing useful, expansive networks. Many public and private cloud solutions are similar to managed server hosts—and they can be either outsourced or internally operated. However, not every cloud platform is created equal, and its source is contingent upon its owner’s needs.

Outsourcing to the private cloud

Decision makers focused upon outsourcing cloud platforms to MSPs rely heavily on several benefits. For most, revenue gain versus expenses are paramount. For those considering cloud outsourcing, the following benefits apply:

The Wall Street Journal has recorded an estimated $483 billion in outsourced cloud IT solutions. The trend has become increasingly popular since 2013, too, and many CIOs have utilized cloud computing as a major industry boon.

However, cloud computing’s high-reaching benefits, and their excellent facilitation of scalability, capacity and accessibility, are creating great demands for outsourced cloud-based IT services. Some worry about sustainability, while others consider upward mobility as an industry issue.

Internal cloud management

Where internal cloud platforms are considered, such an inclusive design offers users complete hardware control. Similarly, software may be morphed to serve multiple purposes. Due to its incredible flexibility and responsiveness, internal cloud management maintains the following benefits:

As mentioned above, new IT entrants are booming, and traditional computing areas continue to develop. Such developments are meshing with internally-operated cloud systems, forcing vendors to rely increasingly on “traditional” computing environments. Of course this type of internal management requires a much more extensive team of professionals capable of managing the platform. Unlike outsourcing to MSPs, this means that the company is responsible for the training, cost and upkeep of such a team.

The company’s needs, and weighted solutions

Internal and outsourced cloud platforms each contain an array of unique benefits. However, each delivers a set of perspective advantages. Companies focusing upon drastic changes, upward scaling and intensive growth may consider internally managed cloud services—as such mobility works well with a changing platform.

Well-established organizations and those intending to access outsourced solutions would advance well with outsourced cloud services—as stabilized, external providers are, for the most part, reliable, structured and long-lasting.

Unfortunately, no perfect solution exists for many decision makers. However, excellent options continue to appear as cloud sourcing evolves. Many well-researched understandings of evolving cloud technologies have come forth, too, supporting company’s needs throughout different perspectives. As for the future: Cloud sourcing platforms have yet to reach their full potential, and the world will likely see a variety of options appear within the next decade.