March 17, 2025 • 8 mins
In this episode, Reid and Gar explore the rapid acceleration of digital transformation and why SMBs must embrace it to stay competitive. He breaks down the key differences between on-premises, cloud, and hosted solutions, with real-world examples like Microsoft Azure and Salesforce. Through insightful case studies, Reid showcases how a personalized, strategic approach helps businesses find scalable, secure technology solutions that align with their growth goals. Listen now to discover how the right hosting strategy can future-proof your business.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Welcome back to another episode ofVisionary IT, the podcast where we
(00:04):
explore how tech can transform yourbusiness.
Today, we're diving into digitaltransformation and data storage solutions
available for small and medium-sizedbusinesses.Yeah, and let me tell you,
this topic couldn't be more relevantright now.
Digital transformation is on fire, andSMBs are carving out their own space in
(00:25):
this massive growth story.
Trust me, if you own or manage a smallbusiness, you're gonna wanna stick around
for this.You will because we're digginginto on-premise systems, hosted services,
and full cloud-based solutions.
These days, companies face a ton ofoptions-and risks-when it comes to IT
infrastructure, so it's important thatleadership teams make informed
(00:49):
decisions.And there's noone-size-fits-all answer here, folks.
What works for a financial firm might notmake sense for a nonprofit-and that's
what we're gonna unpack togetherthroughout this episode.
But first, let's start by looking at whythis digital transformation market is
exploding right now.You're absolutelyright, Reid.
The digital transformation market is inhypergrowth mode right now.
(01:12):
Projections are skyrocketing-from justover a trillion dollars, $1,009.8 billion
to be exact, to $1,635 billion by 2032.
That's an 18% CAGR.
Pretty incredible, isn't it?Yeah, I mean,those numbers are mind-blowing.
But honestly, it's no surprise.
Businesses big and small are finallyrealizing they've gotta adapt or risk
(01:35):
falling behind.
Especially SMBs, right?
Their agility makes them so good atpivoting and taking advantage of this
sort of tech evolution.Absolutely.
And they're not just jumping on a trend.
Because digital tools are moreaccessible, SMBs have the chance to
really level the playing field againstlarger competitors-which historically
(01:56):
hasn't been very easy.Right.
It really hits home for me, actually.
I remember my first experience tinkeringwith a computer as a kid-that curiosity
stayed with me.
And now, helping SMBs navigate all thesecomplex changes in the digital landscape?
Yeah, it's kinda my passion project atthis point.It's funny how those early
(02:19):
experiences shape your perspective.
Your passion really resonates with whatthis market needs-seasoned experts that
can help SMBs through their challengeswhile still embracing innovation.Thanks,
Gar.
And you know what?
This growth we're seeing, it's a wake-upcall.
Smaller businesses can't just wait andsee anymore-they need to act.
So, let's dive into a key part of thosedecisions-hosting options.When we talk
(02:44):
about on-premise, cloud, and hostedservices, these are really the three
major camps businesses fall into.
But what exactly sets them apart?Goodquestion.
on-premise is pretty much the traditionalmodel.
You own the licenses, andeverything-hardware, software, data-it's
all managed in-house.
In fact, for years, this was the go-toapproach because there weren't many
(03:06):
alternatives.Yeah, but man, it can getpricey.
I mean, all that upfront capital, hiringIT staff to manage everything, it's a
heavy lift for SMBs.Exactly.
But there are advantages.
Control is a big one.
Take, say, financial institutions-theyneed a tight grip on their data for
compliance and security.
(03:27):
Of course, the flip side is the cost andmaintenance burden.Which brings us to
cloud services-this is like the modernevolution, right?
Instead of owning the servers, you'rejust subscribing to a service.
Microsoft Azure or AWS, for instance.
You pay for what you use, and the serviceprovider takes care of the heavy lifting,
(03:47):
like security and scalability.True.
Cloud services shine with theirflexibility and lower entry costs.
But, Reid, let's not forget compliance.
For some industries, lack of control overthose servers can be a stumbling
block.Totally.
And then there's Hosted services, kindalike the Cloud's cousin.
(04:09):
Stuff like Solutions like MicrosoftOneDrive and Salesforce-these are
turn-key.
You sign up, and boom, you're operational.
Perfect for SMBs who don't wanna dealwith all that backend
complexity.Definitely convenient.
But here's the kicker-not every hostedservice offers the same level of data
control.
(04:30):
It's really important to read the fineprint, especially when dealing with
sensitive info.Right, because vendorlock-in is a real thing.
Once you're locked into one service, it'stough-and potentially expensive-to
switch.And that's why SMBs really need toevaluate their needs carefully.
Whether it's cost, compliance, orcontrol, every hosting option comes with
(04:51):
trade-offs.Yeah, and understanding thosetrade-offs is key to making the right
choice.So, with all those trade-offs inmind, how do small businesses actually go
about choosing the right hosting solution?
Is there a straightforward approach, ordoes it really come down to carefully
weighing the pros and cons?It'sdefinitely about weighing the options,
(05:12):
but there are, let's say, foundationalfactors that every SMB should
consider-things like cost, scalability,compliance requirements, and the state of
their existing infrastructure.
It's all about aligning those factorswith your business strategy.And not just
that, right?
It's how those factors fit into thebigger picture.
(05:34):
Like, say you're a nonprofit-you mightprioritize simplicity and lower costs
over, you know, owning an on-premiseserver room.Exactly.
Or think about a financial services firmthat deals with sensitive data.
They might lean towards on-premise, withall the control it offers, despite the
costs and maintenance.And then you've gotuse cases where Cloud is a no-brainer.
(05:58):
Like seasonal businesses-you pay only forwhat you use, you scale up or down
depending on demand, and it's all prettyseamless.That's a great point, Reid.
And actually, I think about oneparticular client we worked with-a
construction company.
They came to us struggling withon-premise servers that couldn't handle
the increasing volume of project data,CAD files, and such.Yeah, yeah, I
(06:24):
remember that one!
Their on-prem servers kept strugglingwith the increasing project load,
especially as they took on more jobsites.Right.
We helped them transition to a scalablecloud platform that could handle their
growing project demands while maintainingcompliance with data protection
regulations.
That tailored approach gave them theflexibility they needed while ensuring
(06:47):
they stayed secure.
That move saved them hours ofdowntime-and plenty of lost
revenue.That's the thing-I love thosekinds of wins.
Taking a complex challenge and turning itinto this simple, effective solution that
works for businesses.And that's really atthe heart of it.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer, soevery business has to ask the hard
questions (07:12):
What's your current pain point?
How much control do you need?
Do you have the support you need?
And, crucially, what's your budget?And ifyou're feeling stuck, you shouldn't
hesitate to work with experts so youdon't have to go through the maze alone.
Tailored advice can be agame-changer.Absolutely.
(07:33):
At the end of the day, it's about makingdecisions that fit your current needs and
your long-term goals.
Do you have any final thoughts for ourlisteners, Reid?Just this: SMBs have
every opportunity to level the playingfield with the right technology.
So, get strategic, stay adaptable, anddon't be afraid to embrace a little
(07:54):
change-it can pay off big time.Well said,Reid.
And on that note, thanks for joining ustoday.
Stay visionary, stay secure, and we'llcatch you next time!
Welcome back to another episode ofVisionary IT, the podcast where we
(00:04):
explore how tech can transform yourbusiness.
Today, we're diving into digitaltransformation and data storage solutions
available for small and medium-sizedbusinesses.Yeah, and let me tell you,
this topic couldn't be more relevantright now.
Digital transformation is on fire, andSMBs are carving out their own space in
(00:25):
this massive growth story.
Trust me, if you own or manage a smallbusiness, you're gonna wanna stick around
for this.You will because we're digginginto on-premise systems, hosted services,
and full cloud-based solutions.
These days, companies face a ton ofoptions-and risks-when it comes to IT
infrastructure, so it's important thatleadership teams make informed
(00:49):
decisions.And there's noone-size-fits-all answer here, folks.
What works for a financial firm might notmake sense for a nonprofit-and that's
what we're gonna unpack togetherthroughout this episode.
But first, let's start by looking at whythis digital transformation market is
exploding right now.You're absolutelyright, Reid.
The digital transformation market is inhypergrowth mode right now.
(01:12):
Projections are skyrocketing-from justover a trillion dollars, $1,009.8 billion
to be exact, to $1,635 billion by 2032.
That's an 18% CAGR.
Pretty incredible, isn't it?Yeah, I mean,those numbers are mind-blowing.
But honestly, it's no surprise.
Businesses big and small are finallyrealizing they've gotta adapt or risk
(01:35):
falling behind.
Especially SMBs, right?
Their agility makes them so good atpivoting and taking advantage of this
sort of tech evolution.Absolutely.
And they're not just jumping on a trend.
Because digital tools are moreaccessible, SMBs have the chance to
really level the playing field againstlarger competitors-which historically
(01:56):
hasn't been very easy.Right.
It really hits home for me, actually.
I remember my first experience tinkeringwith a computer as a kid-that curiosity
stayed with me.
And now, helping SMBs navigate all thesecomplex changes in the digital landscape?
Yeah, it's kinda my passion project atthis point.It's funny how those early
(02:19):
experiences shape your perspective.
Your passion really resonates with whatthis market needs-seasoned experts that
can help SMBs through their challengeswhile still embracing innovation.Thanks,
Gar.
And you know what?
This growth we're seeing, it's a wake-upcall.
Smaller businesses can't just wait andsee anymore-they need to act.
So, let's dive into a key part of thosedecisions-hosting options.When we talk
(02:44):
about on-premise, cloud, and hostedservices, these are really the three
major camps businesses fall into.
But what exactly sets them apart?Goodquestion.
on-premise is pretty much the traditionalmodel.
You own the licenses, andeverything-hardware, software, data-it's
all managed in-house.
In fact, for years, this was the go-toapproach because there weren't many
(03:06):
alternatives.Yeah, but man, it can getpricey.
I mean, all that upfront capital, hiringIT staff to manage everything, it's a
heavy lift for SMBs.Exactly.
But there are advantages.
Control is a big one.
Take, say, financial institutions-theyneed a tight grip on their data for
compliance and security.
(03:27):
Of course, the flip side is the cost andmaintenance burden.Which brings us to
cloud services-this is like the modernevolution, right?
Instead of owning the servers, you'rejust subscribing to a service.
Microsoft Azure or AWS, for instance.
You pay for what you use, and the serviceprovider takes care of the heavy lifting,
(03:47):
like security and scalability.True.
Cloud services shine with theirflexibility and lower entry costs.
But, Reid, let's not forget compliance.
For some industries, lack of control overthose servers can be a stumbling
block.Totally.
And then there's Hosted services, kindalike the Cloud's cousin.
(04:09):
Stuff like Solutions like MicrosoftOneDrive and Salesforce-these are
turn-key.
You sign up, and boom, you're operational.
Perfect for SMBs who don't wanna dealwith all that backend
complexity.Definitely convenient.
But here's the kicker-not every hostedservice offers the same level of data
control.
(04:30):
It's really important to read the fineprint, especially when dealing with
sensitive info.Right, because vendorlock-in is a real thing.
Once you're locked into one service, it'stough-and potentially expensive-to
switch.And that's why SMBs really need toevaluate their needs carefully.
Whether it's cost, compliance, orcontrol, every hosting option comes with
(04:51):
trade-offs.Yeah, and understanding thosetrade-offs is key to making the right
choice.So, with all those trade-offs inmind, how do small businesses actually go
about choosing the right hosting solution?
Is there a straightforward approach, ordoes it really come down to carefully
weighing the pros and cons?It'sdefinitely about weighing the options,
(05:12):
but there are, let's say, foundationalfactors that every SMB should
consider-things like cost, scalability,compliance requirements, and the state of
their existing infrastructure.
It's all about aligning those factorswith your business strategy.And not just
that, right?
It's how those factors fit into thebigger picture.
(05:34):
Like, say you're a nonprofit-you mightprioritize simplicity and lower costs
over, you know, owning an on-premiseserver room.Exactly.
Or think about a financial services firmthat deals with sensitive data.
They might lean towards on-premise, withall the control it offers, despite the
costs and maintenance.And then you've gotuse cases where Cloud is a no-brainer.
(05:58):
Like seasonal businesses-you pay only forwhat you use, you scale up or down
depending on demand, and it's all prettyseamless.That's a great point, Reid.
And actually, I think about oneparticular client we worked with-a
construction company.
They came to us struggling withon-premise servers that couldn't handle
the increasing volume of project data,CAD files, and such.Yeah, yeah, I
(06:24):
remember that one!
Their on-prem servers kept strugglingwith the increasing project load,
especially as they took on more jobsites.Right.
We helped them transition to a scalablecloud platform that could handle their
growing project demands while maintainingcompliance with data protection
regulations.
That tailored approach gave them theflexibility they needed while ensuring
(06:47):
they stayed secure.
That move saved them hours ofdowntime-and plenty of lost
revenue.That's the thing-I love thosekinds of wins.
Taking a complex challenge and turning itinto this simple, effective solution that
works for businesses.And that's really atthe heart of it.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer, soevery business has to ask the hard
questions (07:12):
What's your current pain point?
How much control do you need?
Do you have the support you need?
And, crucially, what's your budget?And ifyou're feeling stuck, you shouldn't
hesitate to work with experts so youdon't have to go through the maze alone.
Tailored advice can be agame-changer.Absolutely.
(07:33):
At the end of the day, it's about makingdecisions that fit your current needs and
your long-term goals.
Do you have any final thoughts for ourlisteners, Reid?Just this: SMBs have
every opportunity to level the playingfield with the right technology.
So, get strategic, stay adaptable, anddon't be afraid to embrace a little
(07:54):
change-it can pay off big time.Well said,Reid.
And on that note, thanks for joining ustoday.
Stay visionary, stay secure, and we'llcatch you next time!
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