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On-Premise Server vs Cloud: Which is Right?

Not always. For predictable, always-on workloads, on-prem can be cheaper over 5 years. For variable or growing workloads, cloud is usually cheaper. North Star runs the numbers both ways.

What about performance?

On-prem still wins for high-volume local file shares and latency-sensitive line of business apps. Cloud wins for remote workers, geographically distributed teams, and elastic workloads.

Is cloud more secure?

Cloud platforms have larger security teams than any SMB. But misconfigurations are the most common cause of cloud breaches. The platform is secure; the configuration is your responsibility.

Can I do hybrid?

Yes. Most SMBs end up hybrid: file servers on-prem, Microsoft 365 and line of business apps in the cloud, backups replicated to a Canadian data centre. North Star designs hybrid architectures.

Can Northstar IT migrate us to cloud?

Yes. North Star plans and runs server-to-cloud migrations for Canadian SMBs, including Azure, AWS, and Microsoft 365 cloud workloads.

FAQ

Quick answers.

Is cloud always cheaper than on-prem?

Not always. For predictable, always-on workloads, on-prem can be cheaper over 5 years. For variable or growing workloads, cloud is usually cheaper. North Star runs the numbers both ways.

What about performance?

On-prem still wins for high-volume local file shares and latency-sensitive line of business apps. Cloud wins for remote workers, geographically distributed teams, and elastic workloads.

Is cloud more secure?

Cloud platforms have larger security teams than any SMB. But misconfigurations are the most common cause of cloud breaches. The platform is secure; the configuration is your responsibility.

Can I do hybrid?

Yes. Most SMBs end up hybrid: file servers on-prem, Microsoft 365 and line of business apps in the cloud, backups replicated to a Canadian data centre. North Star designs hybrid architectures.

Can Northstar IT migrate us to cloud?

Yes. North Star plans and runs server-to-cloud migrations for Canadian SMBs, including Azure, AWS, and Microsoft 365 cloud workloads.

Have a specific situation in mind?

Book a free 30-minute scoping call with a Northstar IT engineer. We will walk through your environment, your questions, and what good looks like for your team.

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