Many businesses believe that they can adopt web-based applications and eliminate their need for a server. The plan is to have all their software accessed using only a browser, to enable mobility and a more flexible working model. What some of these companies find is that, even if the business relies primarily on web-based applications, there are often very valid use cases for having and maintaining a server, whether it’s on-premises or in the cloud. While some businesses think that removing applications from desktop or server installation means that the server is obsolete, there remain many situations where the business benefits from having a server available.
One of the main benefits of having a server is having a place to centralize data storage and backups. Even with web-based applications, business users still generate and store data, documents and files that need a secure and organized place to be stored. While many companies elect to rely on sync and share solutions like Dropbox or OneDrive for their file data storage, these systems are no replacement for a server offering real time file access, Windows file security, long-term data protection and more. Even when collaboration might primarily happen through web-based apps, a server can still provide a secure and controlled environment for file sharing and other collaboration activities.
For businesses with custom applications or when there are needs for integration and automation, servers provide the environment where applications and integrations may be hosted and run. A server can facilitate integration between different web-based solutions and can automate processes by acting as an intermediary for data exchange and workflows.
The cloud platform is particularly well-suited to helping businesses create virtualized test environments, or for running legacy applications that might not be fully compatible with web technologies.
Even when a business adopts primarily web-based applications, there are often data processing or analytics needs that can be addressed better through server-side computations. In cases where a business needs to aggregate and analyze data from multiple sources, a server can provide the environment for robust database management, secure data storage and the compute resources required.
Ultimately, the decision to have a server depends on the specific needs, size, and nature of the business. It’s important to evaluate whether the benefits of having a server, such as enhanced data control, security, integration capabilities, and custom solutions, outweigh the associated costs and complexities.
Noobeh helps businesses meet their IT needs by delivering modern, scalable and agile solutions that leverage the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, enabling web-based, server-based and hybrid working models that help our clients get more done while spending less to implement and manage their technology.
