Why are People Leaving Cloud Environments like AWS? | ServerPronto University
Several years back, web developers by the thousands were flocking to Amazon Web Services (AWS) after it made several of its cloud-based environments more publicly accessible and affordable. Many of these developers couldn’t find reasons not to move to the cloud, given how it appeared that cloud computing would quickly outstrip traditional virtual machine systems.
With some hindsight, these same developers are starting to taste buyer’s regret because AWS and cloud computing was not everything that they hoped it would be. As a result of connectivity problems, billing issues, and more, developers are starting to retreat out of cloud environments and back to reliable dedicated hosting like ServerPronto.
As it turns out, there were plenty of reasons not to move to the cloud. Here are just a few of the primary reasons web developers across the country have made the jump back to traditional computing resources. Consider these reasons carefully and you can avoid the mistakes those eager web developers made.
Reason #1: Internet Connectivity Deficiencies
Because of its very nature, cloud computing systems require an internet connection at all times. While this may not immediately appear to be an issue in a country of every-growing internet connectivity, several expert web developers found that growing connectivity did not equal growing capability to handle the large volumes of data that cloud computing requires.
Startups and small businesses alike have struggled in this way, persistently fighting with poor or inconsistent internet connections in order to reach even a standard level access. Though AWS did provide some worthwhile services when they were able to maintain a connection, the hassle to get in the front door hardly made it worthwhile as a long-term computing solution.
Reason #2: Confusing Billing
A common complaint from web developers and independent contractors alike, AWS’ confusing billing system can make it very difficult to fully understand what you are paying for and how much you are paying for it. Rather than simply giving you a sum total in bright red letters, these bills have a manner of leading you to several conflicting conclusions about what you need to pay.
At best, this can be a considerable hassle when the first of the month rolls around. At worst though, these confusing bills could cause you to miss a payment or underpay on a given bill. Both of these could put your web services in hot water until you can diagnose precisely where you went wrong on these Rosetta Stone-level bills.
On the other hand, hosting services like ServerPronto are committed to keeping billing simple. Their team is always willing to help you decipher your bill in order to bring you peace of mind about what you are paying for.
Reason #3: Nickel and Diming for Key Services
After finally decoding their AWS bill, several web developers were deeply displeased to learn just how much and to what extent they were being nickeled and dimed for every service Amazon deems to be “supplementary.” As Michelle Boisvert at TechTarget learned, these “pay-as-you-go” costs can balloon exponentially in short order.
One prime example is AWS’ customer support price structure. While a minimal level of support comes standard with their plans, the only way to get any kind of meaningful priority from Amazon’s support team is by paying $29/month if you’re a developer. Businesses pay $100 or more a month — an outrageous sum.
In either case, this extra cost can act as a thorn in the side of developers simply seeking out advice and support from the cloud’s operator. This type of walled-off customer support scheme has caused more than a handful of web developers to not move to the cloud in the first place.
This isn’t just a fault with AWS, either. Nearly all cloud computing services practice a system of sneaking in hidden fees beyond the established payment structure. While these small add-on fees don’t feel like much at first, they can really begin to add up and effect a bottom line if left unchecked.
The solution for many once-eager web developers was simple: return to a web service solution where the price structure is crystal clear. If AWS and other cloud computing services can better clarify when and how much they charge their customers, these developers say they would consider going back. But until then, they agree that financial stability and reliability is more important for their long-term growth.
Reason #4: High Learning Curve
Among several reasons not to move to the cloud, amateur web administrators often cited the steep learning curve common to cloud platforms like AWS and Microsoft Azure. Simply put, cloud-computing user interfaces can vary in appearance and functionality, creating confusion and sub-optimal implementation.
While this is clearly an issue that can be resolved over time with specialized training, some small business owners and contractors decried the need to spend undue amounts of time learning an unfriendly user interface in the first place.
Some of these web administrators resolved this problem by switching back to their previous computing resource system, knowing that they could at least operate these platforms with knowledgeable precision. While most are not satisfied with this solution, many see it as the only reasonable path forward in the face of an ever-mounting body of knowledge needed to successfully operate a cloud computing system.
After taking these common cloud computing dilemmas into account, you may not feel ready to move to the cloud after all. That’s okay because it is far more important for you to grow your online business operations with stability rather than the surface-level benefits of a so-called “modern” computing resource solution.
Even as the cloud-based computing market continues to grow, you shouldn’t bow to peer pressure to switch from a system you can rely on. If you value transparent price structures, then cloud-computing may not be your best choice. If you don’t have time to climb the steep cloud computing learning curve, then you’re betting off sticking with the system you know best.
If you are making the jump back from AWS, consider looking into ServerProto.Their services are far more affordable and feature a minimum learning curve that you can easily manage.
No matter which option you opt for, know that you’re not alone when it comes to leaving AWS and cloud computing behind for more reliable, more cost efficient computer resource solutions.
Chief Tech writer at Serverpronto. Helping businesses grow with useful tech information.
Originally published at https://www.serverpronto.com on May 20, 2019.
