Hey folks! I'm new here and looking for some advice. I'm in the process of digitizing a small business with around 10 employees, out of which 4 work in the office. We're currently considering whether it makes sense to run our own on-premises server for both a Domain Controller and File Server, or if we should shift to using Microsoft 365 instead.
Right now, we have a single personal Microsoft 365 license mainly for basic tasks like using Word and Excel across a few PCs, which I know isn't the best practice. We do have a good on-prem server that we're planning to keep since it supports our PBX system and serves as a SQL backup target for our in-house application.
What I'm really trying to figure out is whether we should leverage the on-prem server for file sharing and collaboration, especially since multiple users will need access to the same documents. We currently use a Draytek VPN for remote access, but I'm transitioning to Tailscale soon.
With the ongoing subscription costs in mind, I'm hesitant to push for a full switch to Microsoft 365 without clear benefits. Given our setup, what would you all suggest for managing file storage and collaboration? Should we stick with what we have, or move towards Microsoft 365? Thanks for any advice!
2 Answers
I think the best route would be to keep your on-prem server while also using Microsoft 365 for online access. This way, if anything goes wrong with your on-prem setup, you'll have a backup to rely on without putting all your eggs in one basket. It seems like a cost-effective approach too!
The main concern these days is ransomware. Using Microsoft 365 can really help enhance your cybersecurity, even if it's not a foolproof option. Make sure to prioritize these issues in your budget. Maybe have the File Server handle critical files while keeping a backup on OneDrive for more security?
That's a solid point! I'm definitely considering enhancing our cybersecurity too. Thanks for the suggestion!