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How Will You Protect Your Data from the Next Hurricane Irma?

Consider the pros and cons of public and private cloud solutions before choosing a database for your company.Choosing the best database for your company essentially comes down to three main concerns: security, performance, and compliance. The options available in today’s cloud environment offer varying levels of benefits in each of these areas, and CIOs have more choices than ever when it comes to selecting a database.

Managed services are gaining popularity. Many companies are also opting for private cloud, with the ability to burst to a public cloud to accommodate seasonality of work processes. These and other options offer unique advantages. Here are a few of the pros and cons of each:

On-premises or private cloud: The main benefit of this solution is the high level of control that the IT department has over the database. It can be customized to the particular needs of the enterprise and there is a high level of trust in the solution.

The cons include a sensitivity to the location of the end user. If remote workers or clients accessing the database are far away, there may be latency issues. Another con is the large capital expenditure, with the investment in hardware, software, and associated components often requiring 24 to 36 months to provide a return. In some industries, these drawbacks may be worth the security and compliance benefits; in finance or healthcare, the private cloud solution may be best.

Hybrid cloud: Some companies implement hybrid cloud solutions, giving them the opportunity to burst to the public cloud in times when their private cloud database is at capacity. It offers great flexibility, but can also present gaps in security and requires the management of multiple vendor contracts. It’s also important to have a plan in place for managing sprawl that tends to happen with hybrid solutions.

Public cloud: There are clear benefits to using public cloud, including unlimited scalability, and the pay-as-you-go model allows for expenditures to be categorized as operating expenses. There are some downsides to public cloud databases, including a lack of visibility, and the one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t allow for much customization.

Appliance database: This on-site option offers the potential for gains in areas like support and performance, but there are several drawbacks. An appliance database locks you in with one vendor — and that vendor can be expensive. It requires a careful evaluation of vendors to ensure a good partnership both now and in the future.

Virtual database: A virtual database offers some benefits, including the ability to house multiple applications on a single piece of hardware, which can lower costs and create a more efficient use of resources. Initial capital expenditures can be costly, and the enterprise must create a failproof disaster recovery plan because they are the only point of contact if the system fails.

Choosing the right database for your company often comes down to weighing your budget against your database requirements. Contact ACR Solutions to determine the best fit for your company.