Ageing hardware and outdated PBX systems are pushing many businesses to cloud-based communication and collaboration platforms. Cloud-based unified communications are becoming the norm in modern workplaces. It’s all about the flexibility and scalability the cloud offers, enabling businesses to adapt quickly to changing market trends and the needs of their customers and employees
Plus, cloud solutions support hybrid and remote work, ensuring teams can remain productive wherever they are, and they even help businesses to reach their sustainability goals. 63% of IT leaders agree that their legacy infrastructure makes it difficult to achieve green goals.
Moreover, as the PSTN switch-off draws closer, cloud technologies are emerging as a necessity for businesses who need to retain their communication technologies. The question for many companies isn’t whether they should move their UC system to the cloud. It’s “Which cloud environment should they choose?” Let’s explore the pros and cons of public, and private cloud solutions.
The Public Cloud For Unified Communications
A public cloud solution for Unified Communications stores your data off-site on a shared platform, maintained and managed by a specific service provider or network provider. Users “rent ports” on the provider’s platform, and access services via the internet, sharing storage, devices and hardware without excessive upfront costs.
Typically, a public cloud solution is best for companies with multiple locations and remote or hybrid workers to manage. If your workforce is widely distributed, and you’re looking for a solution that’s simple to manage and deploy, with minimal cost, then the public cloud might be right for you.
The Benefits of Public Cloud
- Minimal maintenance: Your chosen vendor handles everything from storing your data, to preserving security on your behalf. The provider also ensures that your cloud environment remains up-to-date, and efficient.
- Affordability: Usually, public cloud is considered the most “affordable” option. You only pay a monthly subscription price per ser, and there are no maintenance or support costs. Plus, you can scale your solution up and down as required.
- Scalability: Public cloud is highly scalable, allowing you to adapt your UC ecosystem as needed. You can test and deploy new features at will and remove aspects from your subscription when you need to reduce costs.
The Problems with Public Cloud
- Limited DR and Security compliance: Most cloud providers don’t have a lot of cyber, disaster recovery, or business continuity experience. This means you might not be able to access the best possible security features for your cloud solution.
- Limited visibility: Public cloud users generally don’t have an insight into where their data is stored, and who has legal jurisdiction over that data. This can be a problem for companies adhering to strict compliance guidelines.
The Private Cloud for Unified Communications
Private cloud solutions host your business resources for unified communications on a dedicated platform (not shared with anyone). You’ll have sole access and management control over the cloud solution, and you’ll be able to leverage excellent security features.
Private cloud UC solutions are generally a good option if you run a large individual location or multiple large locations, and you have an existing UC solution you want to migrate into the cloud. If you’d rather own your own systems, and want comprehensive control, this is the option for you.
The Benefits of Private Cloud
- Comprehensive customization: With a private cloud solution for UC, you’ll be able to create more complex and bespoke environments, integrate your own third-party applications, and even take advantage of flexible API opportunities.
- Greater security: Since you’re using a single customer environment to access the cloud, you’ll have more control over your security. You’ll be able to implement your own bespoke solutions for compliance, privacy, and resiliency.
- Full control: With the private cloud, you’ll access a dedicated hardware and network environment for your business, managed by an in-house technical team. Often, this can even reduce internal infrastructure costs.
The Problems with Private Cloud
- Higher cost: Generally, the private cloud model is more expensive than public cloud, particularly if you’re creating a comprehensive, and bespoke ecosystem.
- Maintenance costs: Since you’re creating a tailor-made environment in the private cloud, you might need to spend a little extra on maintenance.
- Less flexibility: You may not have as much scope to scale your IT resources up and down with a private cloud solution.
The Best of Both Worlds: Hybrid Cloud
While both public and private cloud UC solutions represent great opportunities for many different types of businesses, there’s always the option to combine the two. A hybrid cloud environment gives you the “best of both worlds”, by combining the core features of both private and public deployments.
Hybrid solutions are ideal for ensuring business continuity, giving you access to a variable environment that can adapt to your needs. They can also offer you greater security and control than public cloud solutions, while still providing access to flexible recovery options.
The biggest downside is that hybrid clouds can be difficult to implement. However, the same can also be said for some public and private deployments. The best way to ensure you get the right results out of any cloud investment, is to work with an expert in cloud migration.
Start your UC Cloud Journey
Irrespective of whether you opt for public, private, or hybrid cloud deployments for your UC strategy, the key to success lies in collaborating with a reputable and dependable partner. Drawing from more than 30 years of experience in unified communications, Daisy Corporate Services can facilitate your shift from outdated technology of the past to today’s modern, innovative solutions – and equip you for the challenges of tomorrow.
“Hybrid cloud solutions tend to offer a compromise, combining the benefits of both public and private clouds. They provide flexibility, security, and business continuity, albeit with potential implementation complexities. Collaborating with experienced cloud migration partners like Daisy can ensure a smooth transition to modern UC solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of businesses, regardless of the chosen cloud environment”, says Lee Hunwick, Head of Unified Communications and Collaboration, Daisy Corporate Services.
