If you want your business to thrive today, you must keep the IT systems updated and operating smoothly. As with all the advanced technological inclusions in businesses worldwide, one must-have digital element for heightened IT systems management is using remote monitoring software. 

But, the critical choice here is: should you use cloud-based or on-premises remote monitoring software for your business? To help make an easy decision, this article compares both monitoring software solutions. So, let's move ahead. 

Cloud-based remote monitoring software

You must have already gotten a gist of what a cloud-based remote monitoring software can be just by its name. It is software hosted via the provider's server and accessible via internet connectivity for the user. Even if there is a slight learning curve, it is increasingly popular because of its wide scalability and flexibility. Examples of robust cloud-based remote monitoring tools include Insightful, a remote platform for monitoring employee productivity, system performance, and so on. 

Pros of cloud-based solutions

Let's start our comparison by learning about the advantages of using cloud-based remote monitoring software for your business:

  • Cost-effective: Cloud-based solutions are generally like pay-as-you-go services, ensuring that you do not have to splurge upfront on expensive hardware. The software provider or vendor is responsible for all the updates and maintenance of the remote software, which allows you to save on extra costs. 
  • Accessibility: Just think of having a magic window through which you can easily have a peek into your business's IT systems from anywhere and anytime. Cloud-based remote monitoring software is just like that. Hence, it is especially useful if you have multiple office locations or remote teams to manage. 
  • Scalability: Along with easy accessibility, cloud-based options are also flexible, like a strong rubber band that can extend as your business grows over time. So, as your business keeps expanding in terms of workforce and scope, you can adequately adjust your business plan to handle more locations, users, and devices.
  • Automatic updates: Just like a personal assistant, the vendor manages all the software upgrades and updates, so you don't have to. This also means one less thing for your IT experts to worry about. 

Cons of cloud-based solutions

Like a coin, every technology has two aspects to offer. Where there are benefits, you also face certain limitations at the other end.

  • Dependent on internet connectivity: As with its name, cloud-based remote software works only with a stable internet connection. If your company has highly stable internet connectivity, then all is good. But if, for any reason, the network goes down, even for a short time, you cannot access the vital tools effectively, which may be risky for businesses that demand consistent monitoring.
  • Security concerns: Although cloud-based software vendors usually follow robust security measures and comply with all the necessary laws and regulations, you cannot entirely eliminate security concerns. For example, in heavily regulated industries, there are constant risks of storing sensitive information offsite. 
  • Limited customisation: Not all cloud-based remote monitoring software offers much flexibility in customisation. So, if your business has unique requirements, you may find it somewhat challenging to tailor the software to align with those needs. 

On-premises remote monitoring software

On-premises remote monitoring software is not all that different from cloud-based ones. It still monitors your business infrastructure and data. However, it is installed and operated through your company's personal servers, allowing more control over certain aspects. It does require a bigger investment, though, regarding software, hardware, and in-house IT teams. 

Pros of on-premises solutions

What may be lacking in cloud-based remote monitoring software could be significant benefits with on-premises solutions.

  • Customisation: On-premises remote monitoring tools often offer more customisation options. This means you can easily tailor the software with features to fit the business's specific monitoring requirements. 
  • Improved security and control: By implementing on-premises software, you collect and store all company and employee data within your own IT infrastructure. This provides you with full control over security measures and minimises the risks of security threats and data thefts from third-party vendors.
  • No ongoing subscription fees: Unlike cloud-based solutions, once you have invested in the on-premises remote monitoring software and necessary hardware, you do not have to pay for recurring subscriptions. 
  • Reliability: On-premises software does not solely rely on internet connectivity to operate. You can keep up with tracking and system monitoring even with network outages, guaranteeing minimised downtime and uninterrupted monitoring.

Cons of on-premises solutions

Now that you have sorted out the advantages of using an on-premises remote monitoring solution for business, here are a few disadvantages:

  • Costly initial investment: On-premises software requires a massive upfront investment in software licenses, IT infrastructure, and hardware. Additionally, in-house IT staff must maintain software updates and upgrades, which can be time-consuming and costly. 
  • Maintenance complexity: In addition to being time-consuming and costly, the on-premises software handled by the dedicated IT teams is complex, including its setup, customisation, and regular maintenance. If your business is small and has limited IT resources, this choice may be pretty challenging. 
  • Limited scalability: The scalability of on-premises remote monitoring software often implies purchasing more advanced hardware and upgraded software licenses, which is again quite pricey and difficult to manage. 

Closure: Which is right for your business? 

Implementing remote monitoring software is a critical element for any business. It is necessary to consider many factors before reaching a concrete decision between cloud-based and on-premises solutions. Cloud-based solutions can be a better choice if you want user-friendly software with high flexibility and cost-effectiveness. But if you are looking for robust security, total control, and customizability of the software, on-premises solutions are the way to go. 

Ultimately, both on-premises and cloud-based solutions offer different benefits to users. After carefully analysing the effective factors, you can pick the one that best supports your business ideals and needs, operations, and IT landscape. Besides that, whatever your choice, you must invest in reliable remote monitoring software that guarantees your business's success.