IT Infrastructure & Networking
The foundation of all the technology within your business.
We believe all businesses should have IT infrastructure that helps them achieve their organisational goals
Unlike some IT companies, we don’t push one particular type of IT infrastructure as the solution for everyone. On-premise servers work brilliantly for some businesses, while cloud-based alternatives are better suited to others. The best option depends entirely on how your business operates and what you’re trying to achieve.
If you’ve got a team of five people in one office, your technology needs are vastly different from a business with offices across the country. Acronyms takes the time to understand your business before recommending anything. This means we can provide and manage the IT infrastructure that actually fits your needs.
Helping you understand what type of IT infrastructure is best suited to your business
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We start by getting to know how technology fits into your daily operations. How does your team use IT on a typical day? Where do different departments have different needs? We also look at how your customers and suppliers connect with your systems, because your IT infrastructure needs to support these relationships too.
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Your IT infrastructure needs to work for your business today and support your growth plans. We want to understand where you’re taking the business over the next few years. Are you planning to expand? Take on more staff? Open new locations? Your infrastructure should grow with you, not hold you back.
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Our engineers conduct a thorough technical survey of your current setup using specialist software. This shows us exactly how your infrastructure is configured, explains any problems you’re experiencing and identifies limitations you might not know about. We then create a long-term strategy that addresses your current challenges and supports your future plans.
The benefits of a traditional on-site server and IT infrastructure
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Increased control of the network
Your business maintains full control over infrastructure physically based at your workplace. You have complete access to make changes and updates exactly as needed. This control benefits industries requiring specific regulatory compliance, making it easier to employ rigorous security approaches.
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Fully adaptable for custom software
On-premise infrastructure makes installing and running custom or legacy software easier. You can customise the environment to match software requirements. Older applications often work better with on-premise servers, while recognising that upgrading to cloud alternatives may not always be immediately feasible.
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No ongoing monthly charges
On-premise infrastructure typically requires upfront payment for servers and hardware rather than monthly subscriptions. Some organisations prefer paying upfront with no ongoing charges. While this affects cash flow initially, it can provide more predictable long-term costs.
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Better performance for local applications
On-premise infrastructure can deliver superior performance for applications requiring high-speed local network access. Internal databases, file servers and custom applications often run faster when hosted locally, eliminating internet latency and providing consistent response times for your team.
Which is better: on-premise or cloud-based IT infrastructure?
Traditional IT infrastructure involves physical servers, switches, firewalls and structured cabling at your workplace. Cloud infrastructure uses similar components but is owned and managed by third parties like Microsoft or IT companies such as Acronyms.
Cloud operates similarly to traditional networks from the user perspective, but offers key differences including increased functionality, scalability and different billing methods that may make it better for your business.
While there’s been movement towards cloud-based infrastructure recently, some instances still suit on-premise servers and traditional IT infrastructure better.
If you’re unsure which might suit your business, book a consultation and our team will advise on the best approach.
The different types of cloud IT infrastructure
There are different types of cloud infrastructure which we have briefly described below. The most suitable option for your organisation and situation may vary.
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Public Cloud
Public cloud uses third-party infrastructure accessed via the internet – you don’t need servers at your office. Microsoft Azure is probably the best-known example, though there are several providers to choose from.
You pay a monthly subscription for what you actually use. Your data stays completely separate from other businesses even though you’re sharing the same facilities. Public cloud gives you access to enterprise-grade infrastructure at a fraction of the cost, with excellent flexibility and ease of use.
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Private Cloud
Private cloud works like public cloud but all the hardware is dedicated just to your business. It’s typically housed in a data centre managed by an IT company, giving you cloud benefits with greater control over your environment.
Acronyms uses the data centre at Plymouth Science Park to provide private cloud services. This lets us offer more customised solutions than many public cloud providers while still delivering the advantages you’d expect from cloud infrastructure.
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Microsoft Cloud
Microsoft Cloud combines multiple Microsoft products – Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and over 200 other applications – into one comprehensive platform. It’s used by organisations worldwide and offers serious flexibility and security options.
As a Microsoft Partner, we work directly with Microsoft to configure their cloud platform exactly how your business needs it. This means your infrastructure is set up precisely to support your goals, whether you’re a small business or a larger organisation with complex requirements.
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The benefits of a cloud-based network and IT infrastructure
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Higher quality hardware and better facilities
Cloud infrastructure is housed in purpose-built data centres serving multiple companies. As one of many customers, you access superior hardware quality compared to what you could afford independently. These facilities include backup power and environmental controls, ensuring ideal conditions for high performance and minimal downtime.
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Ongoing maintenance handled for you
Cloud infrastructure is managed and maintained by third parties, removing worries about ongoing maintenance or upgrades. This reduces stress as your infrastructure remains in optimal condition, increasing reliability. Hardware upgrades happen periodically without impacting your network, ensuring continued performance improvements.
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Monthly costs instead of upfront investment
Cloud infrastructure requires minimal upfront costs as you don’t purchase physical hardware. You pay monthly, often only for what you use, scaling with demand and usage. Unlike traditional servers with storage and capability limits, cloud infrastructure develops with your needs, expanding and shrinking according to requirements.
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Automatic backup and disaster recovery
Cloud infrastructure typically includes comprehensive backup systems and disaster recovery capabilities as standard. Your data is automatically backed up to multiple locations, providing protection against hardware failures, natural disasters or security incidents. This level of protection would be expensive and complex to implement with on-premise infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
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Most businesses should review their IT infrastructure annually, or when something significant changes – like opening new offices, adding staff or implementing new software. Technology moves fast and your needs change as you grow. Regular reviews make sure your systems still work for you rather than holding you back.
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We handle everything from start to finish. This includes surveying your current setup, planning the transition to avoid downtime and training your team on any new systems. Our engineers take care of installation, configuration and testing, working around your business hours so there’s minimal disruption to your day-to-day operations.
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With cloud infrastructure, maintenance is included – the provider handles updates and hardware upgrades automatically. On-premise systems need ongoing maintenance that you can either manage in-house or outsource to us. We offer full maintenance services including monitoring, updates and fixing problems so your systems keep running smoothly.
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It depends on how your business works and what you’re trying to achieve. On-premise gives you complete control and works well for custom software, while cloud is more scalable and someone else handles the maintenance. Many businesses use a mix of both. We look at your current setup and future plans to work out what suits you best.
Book a free consultation today
We provide free no-obligation consultations to all businesses that may wish to utilise our services. This allows us to better understand your business, your aims and any challenges you may face, before making recommendations.
Call Us
01752 606553
Email Us
hello@acronyms.co.uk