In 2025, the choice of IT infrastructure has become more complex than ever. We analyze the real costs and strategic implications of each approach for small and medium enterprises.
Initial Investment Comparison
| Component | On-Premise | Cloud (AWS/Azure) | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial setup | €25,000-€50,000 | €0 | €15,000-€30,000 |
| Monthly (50 users) | €800-€1,200 | €2,500-€4,000 | €1,500-€2,500 |
| Scalability | Limited | Unlimited | Flexible |
Hidden Costs Analysis
On-Premise Hidden Costs:
- Electricity: €200-€500/month depending on consumption
- Specialized staff: €45,000-€65,000/year for sysadmin
- Hardware replacement: 20-25% of initial investment every 4 years
- Software licenses: €100-€300 per user/year
- Physical security: €500-€2,000/year
Cloud Hidden Costs:
- Egress traffic: €0.08-€0.12 per GB transferred
- Storage: €0.02-€0.10 per GB/month
- Support: 10-29% additional over base cost
- Compliance tools: €500-€2,000/month
- Vendor lock-in: Migration costs €10,000-€50,000
For most SMEs in 2025, a hybrid approach offers the best balance of cost, control, and flexibility, allowing evolution as the business grows.