Deciding between building and maintaining an onsite data center or moving to a Data Center-as-a-Service structure can be nerve-wracking. After all, your data needs to live somewhere, but the specific location is flexible.

As you're looking at options, you may notice that the terms "data center" and "cloud" can be used interchangeably. The first step in the process will be determining the difference between the two.

What are Data Centers

A data center is a term used to define an organized area of servers, whether on- or off-site.

Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) is a managed service with computing power from a central provider. Instead of shelling out thousands of dollars to own equipment, the HaaS model allows organizations to access enterprise-level technology they might not afford outright.

HaaS typically involves a contract for hardware systems, maintenance and administration, and hardware licensing requirements management.

For example, instead of buying a new server and adding the costs of installation, security, and support services, organizations can use a data center and pay a monthly fee that includes everything they need.

What is the Cloud

The cloud is a virtual information bank that stores and manages information, delivers content and services, and runs applications on the internet. Cloud services can function for users at any time and location using an internet-connected device.

In the simplest of terms, "the cloud" takes applications and files once housed on servers sitting in your business' closet (or collecting dust bunnies under the spare desk) and moves them to servers "out there."

A cloud environment consists of databases, hardware, and software tools. These components are combined to create a server. Your organization may have a server room in your building that provides internet service for connected hardware devices.

In a managed cloud hosting environment, different organizations share access and resources to a cloud environment. You purchase a server in slices or as a virtual server. Besides accessing this resource, you are also paying for a provider—like Amazon or Microsoft—to do everything necessary to maintain the cloud environment. By outsourcing management, you save on costs and can focus on operations.

One way to think about managed cloud hosting is to imagine an apartment building. You can rent as much space as a tenant based on need and budget. You have control over an area (your apartment) but share amenities with other tenants. You can occasionally prioritize amenities, such as using the pool or clubhouse, but this comes with an extra cost.

Need a bit more? In this video, Adam Brunkhorst, Operations Manager at Anteris, explains the difference between public, private, and hybrid cloud options.

Keys to Choosing

Can we tell you a (not-so-secret-)secret? It doesn't have to be one or the other. You can combine the best of both options by finding a provider who offers HaaS.

By working with a provider, you get

Customizability vs Scalability

In general, private clouds are going to offer more options for customization. This can be just what your business needs. It is also something to keep in mind should you ever need to leave your cloud provider: how easy is it to move your data.

HaaS providers are no stranger to customization. The hardware options can be customized to meet your business needs.

Scalability is another part. A benefit HaaS is the option to scale according to your needs. Instead of needing to wait for hardware and then the installation, a call to your HaaS provider can get you on the path to expansion.

Security

Security is at the top of our minds all the time. You might have noticed since we talk about it so often. It shouldn't come as a surprise that we're going to talk about it here. The HaaS infrastructure allows businesses to access enterprise-level security that might not have been achievable in another format due to budget constraints. Which brings us to the next point...

Cost and Budget

HaaS turns the capital expense of purchasing and installing hardware into a more manageable operating expense. Money no longer needs to be tied up in huge expenses, but the expense of the hardware can be spread out as a monthly fee.

How Anteris Can Help

You will also need to decide if purchasing the equipment is the best option or if moving your hardware infrastructure to an operating expense model is better.

Our HaaS structure allows for greater availability of equipment. Since we maintain an inventory of related models, we can quickly dispatch replacements when required. Hardware-as-a-Service provides a longer use-life and more excellent value for the team.

In addition, we can combine hardware with data management to create greater resilience. We can do this in various ways, such as linking onsite servers to our data center or installing multiple servers on the same site so if one fails, others remain online. These solutions could easily cost up to $100,000, putting a significant strain on your bottom line. At Anteris, we've already made these investments—allowing Clients to access enterprise-level technology at a fraction of the cost.

That's the benefit of Haas: turning what would generally be a considerable capital expense into an operating expense.

We're here if you're ready to talk about upgrading your IT setup or have more questions.

Let us make your technology freeing, not frustrating.