QuickBooks Hosting-Public or Private: Make Your Choice

Cloud computing is not just a popular word anymore. It is a reality that has made running a business a lot easier and efficient. In the past few years, a number of firms have been seen transitioning to the cloud. Although initially the cloud technology was limited to the larger firms, in the present it has taken an all-inclusive turn. 

The most common use of cloud computing for businesses of all sizes is the digital accounting. Out of all the applications available for digital accounting, QuickBooks has managed to be the top choice of most firms. Followed by QuickBooks Online and then QuickBooks Hosting, the shift from manual accounting to the digital one has been gradual but good. 

However, entrepreneurs often wonder which type of cloud is best for QuickBooks Hosting- Public or Private? Making the choice can be easy if you know the advantages and disadvantages of both. 

Why is it difficult to choose between Public and Private Hosting?

The choice between public and private cloud can be daunting at times. There are certain benefits that are exclusive to each. An owner looking for a cloud service to host QuickBooks needs to separate the benefits that each renders and draw a healthy comparison. So, here’s how it can be done: 

Make Your Choice

To make an informed decision, entrepreneurs must first understand the difference between public and private cloud, and the pros and cons of each. Let’s understand them one by one:

Public Cloud

A public cloud is offered by a third party and is available to everyone alike. Users from all backgrounds can switch to the public cloud to use the space as per their needs. Resources are made available to the users via the internet and are shared by a multitude of the population.

Although QuickBooks user might want a more private platform to save their data and run the application, mentioned below are the ways in which a public cloud may or may not be beneficial:

Pros

• Easy On Pocket.

Public cloud is comparatively cheaper and can be afforded by a large chunk of the population.

• Pay As You Go.

An attractive feature of QuickBooks hosting on a public cloud is the pay-per-use feature. The flexibility of paying only for what you use is exclusive in this case.

• Third Party Integration.

Since security is not much of an issue here, a public cloud allows easy and instant third-party integration. Users who need add-ons and wish to pair their Hosted QuickBooks with other tools can opt for public cloud.

Cons

• Not As Secure For QuickBooks Hosting.

Public clouds are shared by a large number of people and thus security is a weak point when it comes to public cloud. However, users can look for a secure platform. Here are some of the features that make a public cloud a safer one:

• Data Encryption
• SSL or TLS Standard Security
• Firewall and Antivirus Software
• Disaster Recovery 

Private Cloud

Following are the advantages and disadvantages of a private cloud: 

Pros

• Flexible

A private cloud is more flexible as it is dedicated to one user. QuickBooks data hosted on a private cloud is not shared by other users and thus the owner can access the data as and when required, without third-party interference.

• Reliable

A private cloud is more reliable as the private owner has complete control over the cloud environment. Any unwanted incident such as accidental deletion of data can be monitored, controlled and recovered by the IT professionals hired by the cloud hosting provider.

• Secure

A private cloud is more secure than the public one. Your data can only be accessed by you. Also, the owner of the cloud has its own inbuilt strategy for cloud security, thus making the cloud more secure.

Cons

• Comparatively Expensive

Private cloud hosting providers hire expert technicians for disaster management and to solve technical issues. Thus making it more expensive. This is one reason why private cloud was limited to bigger firms for a long time.

In Conclusion: The choice can be easy to make if the user knows what he is looking for. Private cloud, however, has experienced an elevated demand in the recent times. The reason is simple- greater security.

Owners of critical data have only one concern when giving a third party the leverage to handle their sensitive data- that is the need to ensure their information will be protected. This is where private cloud outshines the public cloud. QuickBooks primarily means bundles of critical information. Thus, hosting it on the private cloud seems to be a more viable option than the pocket-friendly public cloud.