If you’re deciding whether to host your Sage 100 application remotely, one of the first and most important decisions you’ll need to make is should you choose a public or private cloud deployment. In this article we cover the differences between the two and which is the best option for hosting Sage 100.

What is Public Cloud?

Public clouds are the most common type of cloud computing deployment. With a public cloud deployment, the cloud resources (think servers and storage) are owned and operated by a third-party cloud service provider and delivered over the internet. All hardware, operating system software, and other supporting infrastructure are also owned and managed by the cloud provider. In a public cloud, you share the same hardware, storage, and network devices with other organizations or cloud tenants. You access your software applications and manage your account using a web browser. Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS are examples of public cloud services.

What is Private Cloud?

A private cloud consists of cloud computing resources used exclusively by one business or organization. In some cases, an organization’s private cloud could be physically located on their premises. A more common situation, though, is the hosted private cloud. These clouds are maintained by third-party providers but are unique to one company.

In a hosted private cloud, cloud storage isn’t partitioned between users as is the case with public clouds. Instead, each cloud is for the use of an individual customer. The cloud hosting provider maintains the services and infrastructure on a secure network used only by you. The hardware and operating system software are dedicated solely to your organization. This arrangement provides the same benefits as a public cloud – no on-site resources needed to manage cloud storage – with the added security and flexibility of a private cloud. You access your software applications through a secure internet portal.

Advantages of a private cloud deployment

Public and private cloud deployments share many of the same advantages, including a lowered IT burden, anytime/anywhere access, and more predictable monthly technology expenditures. However, private cloud deployments offer some unique advantages over public options, including:

Increased flexibility – When the cloud provider isn’t serving millions of customers, there’s a lot more room for flexibility. A private cloud provider can customize its cloud environment to meet your organization’s specific business needs rather than forcing you to accept high-level choices made to best satisfy as many customers as possible, like how public clouds operate.

More control – Public cloud customers have no real way to change things should services or functionality fail to meet their requirements. If a cloud provider changes available features, discontinues functionality, or chooses to adjust any other aspect of operations, there’s nothing you can do about it. Private cloud customers have more input and control over the functionality and operation of their deployment.

Enhanced security —In a private cloud, resources are not shared with others, so higher control and privacy levels are possible. Monitoring for a private cloud is generally far superior to public alternatives since it’s easier for the provider to identify small signs of weakness and act immediately. Additionally, you have more flexibility in the security measures used with private clouds. When using public clouds, you’re reliant on whatever measures the provider put into place.

Better service —By eliminating intermediaries, a private cloud provider can be much more responsive than the behemoth public cloud providers. And, in the case of Cloud at Work, our level of service extends beyond the technology infrastructure. As Sage experts, we’re able to work with you and your business partner when issues arrive to get them resolved quickly. A public cloud provider simply cannot offer that level of service.

Why public cloud is not the best for hosting Sage ERP

Public cloud is not the best option for hosting Sage 100. The added layers of bureaucracy between you and your Sage 100 application unnecessarily complicate the deployment, adding cost, inconvenience, and frustration.

The overwhelming majority of companies that use the major public cloud services will never directly interact with the giants. Most companies’ relationships with their public cloud service provider pass through many layers, including a managed services provider and often another smaller cloud services provider. In fact, in most instances, you won’t even choose  the public cloud provider directly — a company in one of those layers will choose it for you.

When you put layers in between you and your vital business software, you risk finger-pointing and delays should an issue arise. It’s unlikely that AWS will even pick up the phone when you call, let alone help you troubleshoot an issue they don’t believe they have responsibility for.

Our sister company Cloud at Work is a private cloud service that works directly with Sage 100 to host Sage ERP in their own world-class data centers. When you experience an issue, one call to Cloud at Work sets a resolution in motion. No layers and no finger pointing. It’s an application focus and a level of service that other cloud services providers — public or private — simply cannot match.

To learn more speak with your Account Manager or visit: www.thecloudatwork.com  or tune in to our upcoming webcast:

  Upcoming Live Webinar:
The Case for Hosting Sage 100 in the Cloud
Date: April 13

Register Here