In the cloud, yet close by? Discover the on-premise cloud.
A private cloud is a cloud environment used exclusively by one organization, offering a high level of control and security. But did you know that a private cloud can run both in an external data center and locally at your site — on premise? The latter is what we call, somewhat paradoxically, an on-premise cloud. Here’s a quick explanation.
Public cloud & hyperscalers
When we talk about “the cloud,” you might first think of the public cloud—the shared infrastructure hosted by major players like Amazon, Google, or Microsoft. The benefits of such a public cloud are well known: you don’t need to purchase your own infrastructure, you only pay for what you use, and your IT department doesn’t have to keep the cloud running.
But a public cloud isn’t always the best solution. While hyperscalers (like Amazon) do provide tools to secure your data, using those tools correctly remains your responsibility as the customer. That means your data in the public cloud is, by definition, not automatically secure.
Another challenge: a public cloud is only truly cost-efficient if you fully leverage the specific services offered by the provider. If you don’t—or can’t, for example because an application vendor isn’t ready for it—you fall back on less efficient consumption models, and recurring costs can quickly add up.
Finally, public clouds are usually built on technologies different from those in your own environment. This makes migrating to the public cloud potentially costly and risky.
More certainty with private cloud
With a private cloud, you get a cloud environment set up exclusively for your organization. This gives you access to a dedicated set of systems, virtual machines, or services, hosted by your Managed Service Provider (MSP). With AXI Cloud, AXI offers a powerful and highly secure private cloud hosted in one of our data centers.
Just like a public cloud, a private cloud works on a consumption model—you only pay for what you use, helping keep costs under control. But with a private cloud such as AXI Cloud, you maintain control over your data and how it’s secured. You also get tailored scalability and greater room for customization. Finally, the technology behind AXI Cloud closely matches your existing environment, which allows our specialists to carry out migrations quickly and smoothly.
Private cloud at your location
We often associate the cloud with external data centers, but—paradoxical as it may sound—you can perfectly host a private cloud on premise. An on-premise cloud is essentially an as-a-Service model where you use IT resources (such as storage, compute, and networking) in your own data center, but pay based on consumption. This gives you flexibility and scalability, similar to public clouds, while keeping full control over your hardware, data, and security.
Another advantage: the systems are physically closer to your users, which reduces risks related to latency or unstable communication lines. In short, an on-premise cloud combines the benefits of cloud computing with the safety of a local IT infrastructure.
Why choose on-premise cloud?
Want the Benefits of Cloud While Keeping Your Data On-Premise? Then an on-premise cloud may be the perfect fit. But when exactly does this model make sense? Here are three common scenarios where it’s a smart choice:
1. Latency and Performance
In industries where fast data transfer and low latency are critical—such as manufacturing—an on-premise cloud can be the right solution. When data is stored and processed close to the production environment, systems can handle real-time processes more effectively, which is essential for automation or robotics. Other resource-heavy applications, like AI, can also benefit greatly from an on-premise setup.
2. Business-Critical Information
On-premise data storage reduces the risk of external threats—a common concern with public or hosted private clouds. In an on-premise cloud, you can secure sensitive or business-critical information with your own policies and systems, without relying on third parties. This is especially relevant for organizations with strict internal security requirements or concerns about data sovereignty, such as financial institutions, government agencies, healthcare providers, or companies with critical IP.
3. Locations with Poor Connectivity
In places where internet access is unreliable, an on-premise infrastructure ensures continuity and real-time data access. This allows you to keep enjoying cloud benefits—even without constant connectivity. That’s why on-premise cloud environments are particularly valuable for remote construction sites, maritime operations, or offshore activities.
Your on-premise cloud: scalable and tailored to your needs
AXI offers an on-premise cloud solution through HPE’s Private Cloud platform. This platform combines on-premise hardware with managed services and integrates seamlessly with both the public cloud and AXI Cloud (private cloud). As a customer, you only pay for the services you actually use—eliminating the need for large upfront IT investments.
Curious whether a private or on-premise cloud is the right fit for your organization? We’re here to help with tailored advice.
