The differences between
CLOUD-BASED and IN-HOUSE servers
CLOUD-BASED
IN-HOUSE
Software works with any internet-enabled device. The third-party service provider manages hardware for you.
Hardware
You’re responsible for purchasing all servers, supporting equipment and maintaining a dedicated, cool environment. Often, additional servers are required as companies scale.
Updates, maintenance, and security are automatically handled by the service provider on a continuous basis.
Installation and Maintenance
You must hire technical staff or a third party to manually perform routine security and software updates.
There are no location restrictions. Access to the company portal and login credentials are all you need.
Accessibility
Only authorized devices will have access to the system. In order to connect to the server anywhere other than the office, VPN access will need to be established on whitelisted IP addresses.
Web-based software platforms are traditionally easy to configure at any given time with minimal disruption to operations.
Flexibility
Once software has been installed on your in-house server, any modifications will be time consuming. Updates to the codebase will need to be made externally and then manually installed—causing delays in operations from required server down time.
Documents, drawings, and photos can be uploaded and modified instantaneously from anywhere. Your entire team will have visibility to real-time changes whether at the office, in the field, or at home.
Collaboration and Document Control
Only machines installed with the software and connected to the server will be able to upload, view, and modify documents. This limits the number of people on your team that have access to and are operating from real-time data.
With cloud-based construction management software, there’s only one up-front cost for training and installation, followed by an ongoing subscription. That’s it. This often ends up being less expensive than an in-house solution.
Cost
There are a number of cost factors with an in-house solution. In addition to purchasing the servers and all necessary equipment, you need to consider the cost of dedicated IT staff to maintain your infrastructure.
Backups to your database are automatically stored on the cloud so there’s no risk of losing program data. Also, because cloud-providers adhere to the most advanced security protocols, there’s very little risk of a data breach.
Risk
If you’re going to host all data in house, your team has to be at the top of their game in terms of protecting your network from external threats. What would a data breach cost you? How far would it push your project schedules if those servers went down? And, you have to consider the potential for data corruption.
