I read this week that Microsoft is ending all support for Small Business Server in 2015 when Small Business Server 2011 reaches the end of its life. When Windows Server 2012 is released (later on this year?) there will not be a Small Business Server variant. If you currently run Small Business Server 2011 Standard (with Exchange bundled in) you will have no choice but to purchase both Windows Server 2012 AND a copy of Exchange XXXX when you upgrade. Or you could please Microsoft and go with them into the cloud.
And this got me thinking. With Microsoft pushing for Cloud Service integration (the main reason that Small Business Server is being discontinued) what are the choices for a small business. Do you go into the cloud or stay out? Do you trust someone else with your data? This article will try to outline some of the advantages and disadvantages of going into ‘The Cloud’.
Advantages of going into ‘The Cloud’
- You understand the costs upfront. You pay a monthly subscription to access the software online instead of buying individual licences. At the moment Office 365 has a package that costs $4 / user per month.
- Accessibility of software. As long as you have an internet connection you can access the applications that you require. This means that you can effectively work from anywhere.
- Installation, troubleshooting and upgrades are all provided by the service provider meaning you no longer require dedicated onsite IT support.
- Overall cost of hardware. You don’t require the latest quad core with 10 Gb of ram to access applications online. You don’t need on site servers either. All you require is a machine (laptop, mobile phone, tablet etc) that can access the internet.
- Easy implementation of applications. The structure is already there online and so can be rolled out to companies quickly.
- All your files are securely backed up online meaning if your office burns down in a fire you don’t lose all your data.
- If you have an email account with the likes of Google, Hotmail etc then you already use ‘The Cloud’. How easy was that?
Disadvantages of going into ‘The Cloud’
- Security concerns. Service providers claim that they can implement tighter security protocols than individual companies could. Some data (eg MOD) can not be kept on servers in certain counties either.
- Control of your data. If you delete a file online how do you know if the service provider has actually deleted the file?
- Costs could actually spiral out of control if usage turns out to be far greater than anticipated. This can be mitigated at the start by good project management.
- The whole setup doesn’t work if you can’t connect to the internet (this is the main disadvantage). Could your business function if it lost internet connectivity and you couldn’t access your data?
- Security updates could change security settings, change privileges etc
- Legal issues (ie who actually owns the data stored online?)
- Communication with peripherals and connected devices. Would your end devices (eg printers) work with cloud applications?
If you asked me a couple of months ago about my thoughts on moving into ‘The Cloud’ I would have said that a lot of companies would decide to stay out and continue to run their businesses as they always have (onsite servers, exchange servers, domains etc). With the announcement by Microsoft about pulling Small Business Server my stance has changed. Microsoft are going into the cloud regardless and they are making it harder for companies not to follow them (if you use Microsoft technologies you don’t have much choice). Yes companies might decide to stay out but it is going to get a lot more expensive for them to do it.
About the Author
Hi I am Chris Wakefield the owner of ComTech IT Support. I provide Windows and Linux based IT Support, laptop repairs and computer repairs to both business and personal clients in and around Stirling.
For a list of what I can offer you why not visit my website www.comtech247.net where you will find a list of my services, testimonials, blog and much more.
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