When it comes to the cloud, your business has options. Other than working with a cloud provider, there is also the option to host the cloud yourself. Many MSPs are intrigued by this. However, there are several things you need to know if you are considering self-hosted cloud services. Is setting up your own cloud worth the headache?
Option 1 – set up your own physical servers.
When it’s time to set up the cloud, some MSPs will immediately opt for the physical option. So, is this approach a good option for cloud services?
While it may seem convenient, this option gets expensive, fast. Your physical servers will naturally lack the redundancies of a datacenter such as internet, power, and security. Even if your business has the capability to implement these redundancies, it is not cost effective in the slightest.
Option 2 – Co-locate to a datacenter.
The last option leaves you without the redundancies of a datacenter. What better way to gain these redundancies than co-locating to one?
There are many benefits that MSPs gain from sharing space with a datacenter, but there are also downsides that need to be addressed. For one, you will still need to buy your own equipment. Capital expenditure costs are very high due to location, and maintaining upgrades requires consistent ongoing costs.
Noticing a theme?
Aside from price, this option requires a ton of technical knowledge. We recommend looking into datacenters in your area, but this option is certainly not ideal for all MSPs.
Option 3 – Host with a large cloud provider.
Internal cloud pricing making you look at other options? We get it. When considering cloud hosting, many MSPs gravitate to the most popular providers: AWS and Azure. Sounds easy enough, right?
Consider the downsides of this option before making your decision.
Large cloud providers are plagued with fluctuating costs and communication issues, making it difficult for you to reach representatives and communicate exactly what your MSP needs. This pricing may be lower than setting up cloud internally, but the inconsistency leaves your MSP more confused than anything.
Worried that these options aren’t right for your MSP? These are not your only cloud choices. A smaller cloud provider such as Cloud Services for MSPs can meet your pricing needs while still personalizing cloud solutions to your business. Every MSP is different, and we differentiate our service by providing cloud that works best with your strengths. It’s like we’re basically internal cloud! Without all the massive costs…
If you’re interested, let’s continue the conversation — simply reach out below or give us a call today.