Using the Cloud Still Requires IT Infrastructure

Cloud Solutions. Cloud Technology. Cloud Servers. Everything is supposedly only in the cloud now.

The Cloud is simply a fancy way of saying that you are using and paying for a portion of someone’s else’s technology, IT infrastructure, space, devices, or software. Whether through TV, billboards, or social media, almost everybody has likely heard the term Cloud by now.

Since about 2008, it has been marketed to the masses as “all you need.” The Cloud is also being sold as a large cost savings, usually about 15% or more. However, this can be false if actual throughput or indirect project or support time is not taken into account in your IT planning.

Cloud technology does not replace all IT Infrastructure.

Whether at your home or corporate office, it is impossible to get to the cloud for your files, use RingCentral, or recover data from your DRaaS provider without utilizing basic IT infrastructure – such as low voltage cabling to WLAN to an internet connection. There is no way to get around it, much like needing an onramp to get to an interestate freeway.

“IT infrastructure is what makes the Cloud possible. Matrix-NDI designs and deploys IT Infrastructure nationally across the USA. We help build the cloud – and get you to the cloud.” - Frank Millo, VP of Sales

Even if your enterprise IT is “fully in the public cloud,” it still requires IT Infrastructure to be deployed professionally. Especially in the IT projects we handle, such as a national IT project deployments for retail stores, healthcare facilities, and restaurants where multiple locations are connected.

Although it is obvious to an IT engineer, many business professionals believe that IT infrastructure is no longer needed. This is where business owners, building managers, construction managers, and even architects can get confused when planning IT budgets, projects, and network design.

IT Infrastructure needed at a basic level to get to the Cloud:

• Low voltage cabling – Even if WIFI is available and you do not plug your computer into the wall - low voltage cabling in an IT closet still connects the wireless access point (WAP) to the network switch.
• Network switch – The traffic lights of the internet and LAN connections. The traffic coming in from the router and internally on the network between devices is all moved around here.
• Routers and Firewalls – Internal IP addresses need to be given to devices as well as external IP addresses and connections must be resolved and protected. Without these device(s), nothing can communicate through the switch and low voltage cabling to get to the cloud.
• Internet Service Providers – You cannot connect to the internet without your router connecting to the internet from a service provider, just like it would be impossible to drive into your garage from the street, without a driveway.