The decision on how to provide software systems support for
your employees requires careful consideration regarding the benefits and
disadvantages that you will face with onsite vs cloud support. Consider the movie The Matrix, where one of the main characters, Neo, is given a
choice by Morpheus between two realities.
He has the first choice of a blue pill, where he stays in his existing
reality that is a fully supported matrix cloud computing environment but if he
chooses the red pill then he leaves the matrix cloud and enters the rabbit hole
where he must create his own reality with the tools, talent and software that
he can build on his own.
So, the challenge that Morpheus poses is "You take the blue
pill the story ends; you wake up in bed and believe what you want to
believe. You take the red pill and you
stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes…"
Choosing cloud vs
onsite support
The movie The Matrix
deals with two realities; first is the matrix construct which allows all the
users and inhabitants to live in a blissful, fully supported state where all
their needs are taken care of and then second is the real world outside of the
matrix where people and teams must supply their own resources, maintain their
own version of the construct and survive all the technology advances on their
own. The heroes in the movie give
people a choice; they can stay in the Matrix cloud or they can brave the world
on their own.
Building the server technology infrastructure
The Matrix highlights
a large dichotomy between those who live in the matrix and those who build
their own system. Within the Matrix the
machines own the construct which controls the world where people are held
captive. They have the materials and the
power to maintain the massive programs while addressing all the needs of those
who use the matrix cloud. Those who have
left the matrix construct are forced to build their own worlds. They build generators, ships and computer
systems and must still connect with the construct to operate in the matrix
world. When you are choosing between
onsite or cloud support for your computer network infrastructure you must
consider if you have the resources and technology available to support the
system onsite or if your computer network should be supported off-site.
Latest and greatest software available
In The Matrix the machines own the construct
which is the software brains behind the matrix itself. Since the machines own the software they continue
to build and develop it to better serve the needs of the machines and the
latest advances are always available for their users. For the users outside the matrix they must
access the matrix to see what changes have been made and then either download
the changes or risk not being able to interface with the matrix world. When you choose cloud support for your computer
network you will have access to the latest and greatest software without having
to download new versions and install them. The server owners will control all of the
software updates and will install them at their convenience and hopefully, the
transition will be seamless and go unnoticed by your users. But sometimes the transition is not so
seamless and your cloud support may transition and impact your users. When you have onsite support you will need to
purchase, install and schedule updates to your network software and will have
to manage all of these changes internally while maintaining network
availability.
Technical support structure and expertise
When you are considering whether to have an onsite software
systems or use cloud support you must consider if you have the technical
expertise to support the network onsite.
Neo could be seen as the technical superstar in the movie as he had the
expertise and knowledge to manipulate and control the matrix as he saw
fit. If you have a highly experienced
group of IT experts on your staff that can work with the systems to correct any
problems or issues, then onsite support may be ideal for your company. But, if you are lacking the superuser like
Neo then maybe cloud support will be best where all IT support will be provided
by the host.
Immediate world wide access
The matrix presents challenges to the users that aren't
plugged in to the main computer. In
order to access the matrix, the users must go up towards the surface of the
earth within range of the construct computers and interface with the matrix wirelessly. This presents challenges with connectivity
and the chances to disconnect from the matrix with dire consequences and lives
being lost. When your software is
supported in a cloud environment, then you are at the mercy of the internet
connection and bandwidth limitations of the server. Onsite support gives you access at any time
and will allow you to more quickly access and work with large files within the
safety and convenience of your internal networks.
Choosing the best software support solution is a strategic
problem that we all face so it is important to consider all the factors
involved in the decision before you make a decision that will have long term
implications for your company. Look at
your needs and understand what your software solution needs to do so that when
you develop a strategy it will consider all the needs of your company and then
make the choice between cloud or onsite software support that fits your
company's strategy and needs. Consider
your options carefully and as Morpheus told Neo when he was making his choice
"Remember, all I'm offering is the truth, nothing more".
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