Onsite Versus Hosted Servers – Which One Is Right for Your Business?

• 13
  Jan

• Posted by:
• nsllc
• Tags: data security STL, IT solutions Chicago, Network Specialists, onsite vs hosted servers, onsite vs offsite servers
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This is one question that practically every business owner must answer – should I keep my servers and data onsite, or should I have it hosted in a secure datacenter at another location? Depending on your firm’s business and data requirements, you might opt for either onsite or hosted servers. Since there are so many options available, many companies struggle with making this decision.

So what is the difference between the two, and what are the advantages to each? Please read below to learn all about the pros and cons of hosted servers and onsite servers and then decide which one is better for you business!

Onsite Servers

Pros:

*You have complete physical control over your company’s data and important documents.
*You can assess your storage needs and add more storage only when you deem it necessary.
*It is typically quick and easy to back up a networked device onsite.
*There is usually a fast recovery from primary storage failure when you have your servers onsite.

Cons:

*There is a lot of room for human error. Someone always has to remember to perform backups, and when they forget to do so, your entire company is put at risk.
*There is a risk of theft or vandalism of your physical IT gear.
*The costs of keeping your data onsite are actually quite high. You must call specialized technicians to perform routine maintenance, you need to be able to store your server in a constantly cool area, etc.
*Costs can increase when the servers are not in use (such as after hours or on the weekends). This energy change can have your company paying significant amounts of money every month.
*If a disaster such as a fire, flood, or tornado occurs, your data has a much higher chance of being completely lost.

Hosted Servers

Pros:

*You will save quite a bit of money on energy expenses when your servers are hosted offsite.
*Businesses typically reduce their need for high IT costs, which can be deferred to growing their businesses instead.
*It is easy, quick, and simple to scale up additional resources on the hosted servers, which are also available remotely to anyone at your firm who has Internet access and a computer. That is all it takes to get to your data.
*Redundancy is built in, meaning that you will have multiple backup copies available should a disaster occur.
*Hosted servers feature automated backup, eliminating human error and taking one more task off your to-do list.

Cons:

*Having a hosted server will require having constant, stable Internet access at each of your business’s locations.
*You want to make sure that you are relatively close to your hosted servers in the datacenter in the event that you and your employees have to come onsite and work directly from within the datacenter should something happen at your primary site or other locations.
Whatever decision you choose to make as a business owner, make sure that you are storing your important documents and data with a company that you know and trust. Call the IT experts at Network Specialists at (314) 531-2840 or visit us online at to get the process started now.