The Rise of Cloud Repatriation: A Shift Back to On-Premises Infrastructure

The world of business IT is never stagnant.

It is constantly evolving, and a new trend is currently making waves: cloud repatriation. It's a term that has been popping up more frequently in tech circles, but what exactly does it mean?

The bigger question is, why?

Understanding Cloud Repatriation

Cloud repatriation describes a shift away from the cloud and back to on-premises infrastructure. Cloud repatriators move their data, applications, or workloads from a public cloud environment back to an on-premises or local data center.

While the cloud certainly has its merits, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.

After years of being told that migrating to the cloud would save money and provide flexibility, they're rethinking the strategy.

But why are they doing so?

The Motivations Behind Cloud Repatriation

Several factors have driven the rise of cloud repatriation. But make no mistake, cost is the big one. While a move to the cloud could theoretically save you money, the promise often falls short.

Internal policies, storage needs, and better control are others. Here is a closer look at each of them, starting with the cost factor:

• CostMany companies hit hardest by cloud costs made their move to the cloud with a "lift-and-shift" strategy, where existing applications are moved to the cloud without any modifications to leverage the cloud's scalable and elastic infrastructure.While this method seems straightforward, these applications, by their nature, are not inherently optimized for the cloud environment. Consequently, they can consume more resources and become more expensive to operate than anticipated.
• ControlWith on-premises infrastructure, companies have full control over their data and applications, something not always possible with cloud services. This control allows for customization and fine-tuning to suit specific business needs, which can be a big factor for many businesses.
• Internal Policies and ComplianceCertain industries, particularly those dealing with sensitive data, internal policies, and compliance requirements, may necessitate moving away from the cloud. In such cases, having direct control over data can help meet stringent security standards.
• StorageWe mention storage as a factor, which is a bit self-explanatory. With the explosion of data, some organizations need vast and growing amounts of it, which can get expensive on the cloud.

The Downsides of Cloud Repatriation

Of course, like any major shift, cloud repatriation has its challenges. Infrastructure needs, such as the requirement for physical space and hardware, can pose hurdles. There's also the need to have in-house expertise to manage and maintain this equipment, which can be costly.

The Upsides of On-Premises Infrastructure

Despite the potential drawbacks, returning to on-premises infrastructure has its benefits. Apart from cost savings and better control, businesses may find that performance is improved when data and applications are stored locally. This can lead to quicker response times and better service for customers.

Navigating the Shift Back to On-Premises

If your business is considering cloud repatriation, careful planning is crucial. Begin by evaluating your needs and resources. Identify which applications and data would benefit most from being brought in-house. Also, consider seeking advice from IT professionals with cloud repatriation experience to help guide your transition.

How About a Hybrid Approach?

As with many IT business decisions, the answer may lie somewhere in between.

A hybrid approach to IT infrastructure is an effective strategy for businesses seeking to balance the benefits of cloud services and on-premises solutions. With this model, you can leverage the scalability and flexibility of the cloud while maintaining critical data and applications in your own infrastructure for enhanced control and security. By adopting a hybrid approach, you can tailor your IT landscape to fit your unique needs, optimizing for cost, performance, and compliance.

A hybrid environment can also be a stepping stone if you're wary of full cloud adoption or reconsidering your cloud-first strategies. It offers a middle ground, permitting a more gradual transition that can be adjusted over time.

Finally, you can keep sensitive workloads in-house while still enjoying the innovation and modernization opportunities that cloud computing brings. This flexibility can prove invaluable as technology and business requirements continue to evolve at a rapid pace.

Final Thoughts

While the cloud certainly has its merits, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. As more businesses explore cloud repatriation, it's clear that a balanced approach that combines the strengths of both on-premises and cloud-based solutions might be the best strategy moving forward.

Pick the Right Migration Strategy with CM evolveIT

CM evolveIT provides a comprehensive suite of tools and services designed to help you assess your legacy application and help you pick the cloud strategy most likely to achieve your company’s objectives.

Contact CM First today to learn more about how our CM evolveIT software can help you modernize your systems, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.