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Cloud Strategy for Ottawa SMBs: What to Move & What to Keep In-House

Picture of CapitalTek By  CapitalTek  ·  2 minute read

The cloud offers incredible power and flexibility for Ottawa SMBs, but cloud-first doesn’t always mean cloud-only. The smartest strategy is often a balanced one. So, what parts of your IT truly belong in the cloud, and what might be better kept on-premise? Many SMBs in Ottawa are unsure how to approach cloud adoption what to migrate, what to keep local, and how to avoid costly missteps.

This guide gives Ottawa SMBs a framework to make those decisions, helping you create a balanced hybrid IT strategy that meets your business’s needs.

At CapitalTek, we specialize in tailored cloud and hybrid IT solutions for Ottawa SMBs, ensuring you leverage the cloud strategically and securely.

Develop a smart cloud strategy for your Ottawa SMB. Consult with CapitalTek’s cloud experts.

Cloud Computing 101: A Quick Refresher for Ottawa Business Owners

Key Cloud Models Simplified

  • SaaS (Software as a Service): Cloud apps like Microsoft 365 or QuickBooks Online

  • PaaS (Platform as a Service): Tools for developers to build apps

  • IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): Cloud servers and networking resources

Benefits for Ottawa SMBs

  • Scalability without big upfront costs

  • Cost efficiency through pay-as-you-go models

  • Remote access for distributed teams

  • Disaster recovery with offsite redundancy

Prime Candidates for the Cloud

  • Email & Collaboration: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace

  • File Storage & Sharing: OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive

  • Backup & Disaster Recovery: Cloud-based for secure offsite protection

  • CRM & Sales Software: Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho CRM

  • Accounting Software: QuickBooks Online, Xero

  • Website Hosting & E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace

  • Line-of-Business Apps: Many now have SaaS versions available

When In-House Still Makes Sense

  • Legacy applications: Critical but not cloud-compatible

  • Highly sensitive data: Compliance-driven requirements

  • Unreliable internet: More common in rural areas outside Ottawa

  • Low-latency workloads: CAD, 3D modeling, manufacturing systems

  • Existing infrastructure investments: Short-term reason to stay on-prem

Developing Your Hybrid Cloud Strategy

  1. Assess apps and data individually

  2. Prioritize based on cost, risk, and business impact

  3. Plan integration between on-premise and cloud systems

  4. Secure your environment with consistent policies

  5. Consider data residency—many Ottawa SMBs prefer Canadian data centers

Common Cloud Myths for Ottawa SMBs

  • Myth: The cloud is always cheaper.

    Reality: Cost depends on usage and management.

  • Myth: The cloud isn’t secure.

    Reality: Reputable providers often exceed SMB security standards.

  • Myth: Cloud migration is all-or-nothing.

    Reality: A hybrid strategy is usually best for Ottawa SMBs.

How CapitalTek Helps Ottawa SMBs Build Balanced Cloud Strategies

  • Cloud readiness assessments for your business

  • Hybrid IT design and implementation

  • Secure workload migration to the cloud

  • Ongoing management and optimization of your environment

Conclusion

For most Ottawa SMBs, a hybrid cloud approach migrating select workloads while keeping others on-prem delivers the best balance of flexibility, cost-efficiency, and control.

Make the cloud work for your Ottawa business. Contact CapitalTek to start building a thoughtful cloud strategy today.