If you’re a business in Exmouth, Exeter, or the wider Southwest region, choosing the right IT setup can make a huge difference to your efficiency, costs, and long-term success. Whether you run a retail store, a busy hospitality venue, a leisure business, or an office-based company, it’s important to understand the difference between cloud, hybrid, and onsite IT solutions and how to pick the best option for your needs.
Let’s break it down.
What Do These Terms Actually Mean?
What Do These IT Terms Mean for Businesses?
Onsite (On-Premises IT):
Your servers and systems are physically located in your building, typically a server room or secure cabinet. You’re responsible for maintaining the hardware, backups, and updates, or you might outsource this to a local managed IT support provider.
Cloud:
Your data and applications are hosted in remote data centres, accessed securely via the internet. Platforms like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or AWS are examples. Ideal for flexible, scalable business IT.
Hybrid:
A combination of the two, keeping certain data or services on-premises while moving others to the cloud. This is a popular approach for businesses wanting the best of both worlds.
What Do These IT Environments Look Like in Action?
- Onsite Example: A solicitor’s office handling sensitive client data with strict compliance needs may use a secure onsite server.
- Cloud Example: A hospitality business with multiple locations uses cloud-based booking and communication tools to stay connected.
- Hybrid Example: A retail business combines onsite tills and stock systems with cloud-based reporting and backups.
| Type | Pro’s | Con’s |
| Onsite | – Full control over data and infrastructure – Can meet specific compliance or regulatory needs – No reliance on internet connectivity | – High upfront hardware and maintenance costs – Scalability can be limited and expensive – Disaster recovery planning is entirely your responsibility |
| Hybrid | – Flexibility to choose what stays onsite vs. what moves to the cloud – Balances control, cost, and scalability – Easier transition for businesses moving away from legacy systems | – Can be more complex to manage – Requires thoughtful integration and ongoing monitoring – May involve higher initial planning and setup costs |
| Cloud | – Lower capital expenditure (CAPEX) and predictable monthly costs – Easily scalable as your business grows – Accessible from anywhere, ideal for remote or hybrid teams – Built-in redundancy and disaster recovery | – Requires reliable internet connection – Your data might be stored in another country, which could raise legal or compliance issues – May not be suitable for highly regulated industries without customization |
How Our MSP Supports Businesses in Devon and Beyond
As a trusted IT support provider, we help retail, hospitality, leisure, and office-based businesses across the Southwest of England make the right technology choices.
Here’s how we support each environment:
- Onsite IT Support:
We install, manage, and maintain secure onsite systems for businesses that need total control over their data and infrastructure. - Cloud Services:
We help businesses migrate to the cloud, configure secure cloud environments, and support platforms like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and industry-specific apps. - Hybrid IT Solutions:
We design custom hybrid setups that combine onsite and cloud tools, ensuring they work together securely and efficiently, ideal for growing businesses or those in transition.
Looking for Reliable Business IT Support in the Southwest?
If your business is based in Exmouth, Exeter, or the surrounding areas, we’re here to help. Our tailored IT services support businesses across retail, hospitality, leisure, and office environments, giving you peace of mind and dependable performance.
📞 Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation and discover which IT solution is best for your business.
