Navigating the Cloud Landscape
Private Cloud has evolved into a powerhouse for businesses seeking control, security, and flexibility. But with countless architectures, platforms, and configurations, how do you determine the best fit?
At ANS, we’ve been building Private Clouds for decades, helping businesses cut through the complexity and build tailored cloud solutions that align with their needs. Let’s explore what Private Cloud is, how it compares to alternative models, and where AI and Hybrid Cloud fit into the equation.
What Is Private Cloud?
Unlike Public Cloud, where resources are shared across multiple customers, Private Cloud provides dedicated infrastructure – hosted in our data centres rather than those of the Hyperscalers such as Microsoft or Amazon.
Many businesses have restrictions around who is handling their data, managing security policies, and scalability. This makes Private cloud ideal for businesses with strict requirements around data handling, security policies, and scalability.
Private Cloud is especially suited for organisations that prioritise data sovereignty, regulatory compliance, and the need for custom configurations.
And it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution—Private Cloud comes in different architectures to meet varying business needs.
Private Cloud Architectures: Choosing the Right Model
At ANS, we offer three core Private Cloud architectures:
1. Private Compute – Dedicated & Scalable
Designed for businesses needing full control and security, our eCloud Private solution offers:
- Dedicated compute resources for high performance
- Private or shared storage options
- The flexibility to start small and scale up
Best for:
✅ Businesses requiring secure, high-performance cloud
✅ Companies needing customised resource allocation
✅ Businesses needing their data to reside under UK only management.
2. Shared Compute – Cost-Effective & High-Performance
Our eCloud VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) leverages shared resources but maintains isolation using network virtualisation. This model provides:
- Cost efficiency without sacrificing features
- 24/7 UK Based Managed Services for support you can rely on
- Optimised performance and flexibility
Best for:
✅ Businesses looking for affordable cloud solutions
✅ Organisations needing a simple, secure and scalable route into Cloud
3. Private Everything – Complete Isolation
For businesses needing full separation, ANS provides entirely independent cloud environments that can be hosted on-premises or in our data centres.
Best for:
✅ Industries with strict regulatory requirements, such as Police and Government
✅ Companies demanding full infrastructure segregation
✅ Companies needing operations to remain in their own data centres
Security & Sovereign Cloud Considerations
Security remains a top priority in Private Cloud. Businesses handling sensitive data, financial records, or healthcare information often require sovereign cloud solutions to comply with local data regulations.
At ANS, our sovereign cloud services guarantee:
- Data residency compliance
- Advanced security controls tailored to business needs
- Flexible access controls to maintain full visibility
Advantages & Disadvantages of Private Cloud
Advantages:
✅ Security & Compliance – Full control over data and governance
✅ Customisation – Tailored infrastructure and configurations
✅ Predictable Costs – No fluctuating public cloud pricing
Disadvantages:
❌ Higher Upfront Costs – Requires investment in infrastructure
❌ Management Responsibility – In-house teams must handle updates and scaling
However, with managed cloud services from ANS, businesses can outsource Private Cloud maintenance while benefiting from its strengths and spreading the upfront cost of equipment across the term of a contract
AI Workloads in Private Cloud: Pros & Cons
AI-driven businesses often struggle with choosing the right cloud environment for processing-intensive workloads.
Pros of AI in Private Cloud:
✅ Data security – Sensitive AI models stay protected
✅ Customisation – Fine-tune computing resources for AI processing
✅ Equipment Costs – Pay for what you need, sweat your assets without limitations or fluctuating Opex costs.
Cons of AI in Private Cloud:
❌ Infrastructure-heavy – High-performance GPUs required – potentially with high upfront costs and long lead times.
❌ Scaling challenges – Public Cloud offers more elasticity – pay for what you use.
However, with Hybrid Cloud, businesses can balance AI workloads across Private and Public Cloud, optimising performance and cost.
Hybrid Cloud: A Solution for Modern Business Needs
Hybrid Cloud integrates Private Cloud security with Public Cloud scalability, making it ideal for:
- Data-sensitive industries needing security but occasional scalability
- AI & machine learning workloads requiring bursts of cloud compute
- Businesses looking to optimise cloud costs
At ANS, we guide businesses through Hybrid Cloud strategies, ensuring a seamless blend of cloud environments without unnecessary complexity.
Building the Right Cloud for Your Business
Private Cloud is not one-size-fits-all—your infrastructure should match your business goals. Whether it’s Private Compute, Shared Compute, or Private Everything, ANS ensures you get the right private cloud solution tailored to your business/industry needs.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your business requirements. Cloud Navigator is designed to assess your current setup, optimise performance, and build a high-level business case for your next move.
