Evaluating Cloud Solution Options for Microsoft Dynamics

The advent of Microsoft partners offering cloud software solutions represents the beginning of a transition away from traditional self-maintained offerings. That being said, businesses are still seeking information about the cloud options available to them. Microsoft now offers multiple deployment solutions for their software, and many find that popular business software such as Dynamics ERP experiences increased functionality via the low maintenance and minimal up-front costs that a cloud system can provide.

For some companies, this transition might be viewed with suspicion and concern for security. There are reasons to be cautious. However, while cloud solutions have different issues than traditional IT systems, that does not mean they have more extensive issues. In order to understand the benefits and setbacks of cloud systems, you must first understand the types of cloud solutions available.

What Do the Different Solutions Look Like?

Basically, there are three types of cloud solutions available to Microsoft Dynamics users. From partner-hosted solutions, to on-site installation and management, to "pure" cloud solutions hosted by Microsoft or other major cloud platform vendors, the options can appear complicated at first glance. However, all of these deployment options will fall into one of three general cloud categories: private clouds, public clouds, and hybrid clouds. Depending on your exposure to current trends in IT, you might already be familiar with one or more of these. For the sake of clarity, let's take a look at each one in depth.

Private Clouds

These "clouds" are almost exclusively found in larger companies and, as the name implies, are used only by internal employees or contractors. They might be licensed by a software provider or developed in-house, but in any case they are managed by ...