The most important thing first
For SMEs and NGOs there is not one single correct IT infrastructure. The cloud reduces investments and maintenance, a own server provides more control but requires ongoing care. In practice, a hybrid solution is often most sensible, as it shifts standard applications to the cloud and keeps sensitive or special systems locally.
From our experience at oneICT, it repeatedly becomes clear: not the technology decides first, but the everyday operations of the organization. If you want email, Office and collaboration readily available, you often end up in the cloud. If you have specialized software, sensitive data or clear requirements on data location, a mixed solution or local operation is more fitting.
What does the Cloud for SMEs look like in practice?
Cloud computing is growing quickly in the Swiss ICT market, and yet few companies operate completely in the cloud. According to PwC, only 7% of Swiss companies have fully adopted the cloud, another 32% were in the middle of adoption. In everyday life, the mix often looks like this: Microsoft 365 for communication and collaboration, plus accounting, industry software or file storage on a local server.
| Criterion | Cloud | Own server | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costs | Monthly fee per user, no large investments | High initial investment, then maintenance and replacement every few years | Mix of both |
| Maintenance and updates | Primarily handled by provider | Depends on organization or its IT partner | Shared |
| Access from on the go | Easy, from any device | Only via secure remote access | Depends on application |
| Dependency | On internet and provider, including price changes | On hardware and own know-how | Both, but distributed |
| Data location | Depending on provider, Swiss data centers possible | Full control | Sensitive data can stay locally |
| Typically suitable for | Email, Office, collaboration, standard software | Specialized software, large data volumes, systems without cloud version | Most SMEs and NGOs in transition |
What should organizations pay attention to regarding data protection?
Anyone processing personal data remains responsible even in the cloud. This applies to customer data of a SME as well as member data of a association or a church community. Before switching, it should be clarified where the data is stored, who can access it, and whether a contract for order processing exists.
Costs are often underestimated
In the cloud, additional modules, rising license prices and a later provider change do not appear in many initial calculations. For own servers, electricity, replacements, backups and especially the time required for updates and security are often underestimated. This is where small organizations encounter bigger surprises later.
What questions help in deciding the right IT infrastructure?
- Which applications do we use, and is there a cloud version for them?
- What data do we process, and how sensitive is it?
- How much IT know-how do we have internally, and who handles updates and backups?
- What is the cost of an outage, and how long can we work without internet or server?
- How will the organization develop, e.g., with new locations, more employees or mobile work?
From these questions, a realistic picture usually emerges quickly. For email, Office and collaboration, the cloud is today often the simplest solution. For specialized applications or very sensitive data, a local server or Swiss data center can remain sensible.
Why is a staged switch worthwhile?
A switch does not have to happen in one step. A proven approach is to start with a clearly defined area like email or file storage, gain experience, and only then migrate more applications. It is important to have a clean inventory of devices, programs, licenses and access rights.
Smaller organizations often seek support from an IT service provider for this. oneICT AG from Wallisellen typically accompanies SMEs and NGOs from consulting and project management through to infrastructure setup and ongoing support. The benefit lies less in the technology and more in the overview, because the solution must fit the organization and not the other way around.
Frequently asked questions
When is a hybrid solution more sensible than pure cloud operation?
Do I have to clarify data protection in the cloud myself?
Why does a own server often cost more than it seems at first glance?
Can you gradually switch from server to cloud?
In the end, what matters for SMEs is not whether the systems are in the basement or in a data center. What matters is that IT works reliably, remains secure and can be operated with reasonable effort. Those seeking the right IT infrastructure should therefore not start with technology but with their own needs.
Möchten Sie Ihre IT-Infrastruktur sauber vergleichen?
oneICT AG, Wallisellen