Cloud vs On-Premise Deployment: MicroStrategy Approach Quiz Quiz

Explore the fundamental differences, advantages, and considerations for cloud and on-premise deployments within modern analytics platforms. Evaluate your understanding of scalability, costs, security, and management involved in both deployment options and discover which scenarios best fit each approach.

  1. Deployment Flexibility

    Which deployment option generally allows for faster scaling of resources during peak usage periods, such as quarterly reports?

    1. Offline deployment
    2. Manual deployment
    3. Cloud deployment
    4. On-premise deployment

    Explanation: Cloud deployment is typically known for its rapid scalability as resources can be allocated or released as needed, making it ideal during high-demand events. On-premise deployment often requires manual intervention and additional hardware to scale, which can take time and incur extra costs. Offline deployment does not allow for scaling, as it is not connected to additional resources. Manual deployment is a generic term that does not specifically refer to scalable infrastructure.

  2. Initial Investment

    In a scenario where a company wants to avoid large upfront hardware costs, which deployment method is generally more suitable?

    1. Cloud deployment
    2. On-premise deployment
    3. Standalone deployment
    4. Desktop deployment

    Explanation: Cloud deployment reduces the need for large initial capital outlays because infrastructure is leased rather than purchased outright. On-premise deployment usually requires investing in physical servers and equipment upfront, which can be expensive. Standalone and desktop deployments are not relevant, as they refer to individual or local machine installations rather than scalable solutions.

  3. Maintenance Responsibility

    Which deployment model typically requires the organization to handle system updates, hardware failures, and software patches directly?

    1. Distributed deployment
    2. Hybrid deployment
    3. Cloud deployment
    4. On-premise deployment

    Explanation: With on-premise deployment, the organization is responsible for all updates, repairs, and maintenance tasks, as the infrastructure is managed internally. Cloud deployment usually includes routine maintenance and updates as part of the service provided by the vendor. Hybrid and distributed deployments may mix responsibilities, but typically do not fully place these burdens solely on the organization.

  4. Security Control

    For organizations that need full control over data encryption and physical server access, which deployment is generally preferred?

    1. Edge deployment
    2. Cloud deployment
    3. Remote deployment
    4. On-premise deployment

    Explanation: On-premise deployment allows organizations full control over data security practices, including encryption and server access, as everything is managed in-house. Cloud deployment places some control with third-party providers. Remote and edge deployments are unrelated concepts, with remote focusing on access and edge on locality of computation, not necessarily direct security control.

  5. Disaster Recovery

    Which deployment method often offers automated data backup and multi-region redundancy for disaster recovery?

    1. Mainframe deployment
    2. On-premise deployment
    3. Legacy deployment
    4. Cloud deployment

    Explanation: Cloud deployment normally provides automated data backup options and geographic redundancy as part of the package, making disaster recovery easier and more reliable. On-premise deployment requires manual setup and additional resources for similar redundancy. Legacy and mainframe deployments are older approaches and may not inherently offer modern disaster recovery features.

  6. Cost Structure

    Which deployment option commonly involves operational expenditure (OpEx) rather than capital expenditure (CapEx) as the primary cost model?

    1. On-premise deployment
    2. Cloud deployment
    3. Cluster deployment
    4. Network deployment

    Explanation: Cloud deployment is typically paid for on a subscription or usage basis, resulting in operational expenses that can be adjusted over time. On-premise deployment, by contrast, requires significant up-front capital investment to acquire hardware and licenses. Cluster and network deployments refer to specific technical configurations, not cost models.

  7. Internet Dependency

    Which deployment model requires consistent internet connectivity to access analytics services and dashboards?

    1. Local deployment
    2. On-premise deployment
    3. Cloud deployment
    4. Offline deployment

    Explanation: Cloud deployment relies on the internet for users to connect to services and dashboards, making connectivity essential. On-premise deployment operates within the organization's local network and can function without external internet access. Local and offline deployments refer to stand-alone systems, not network-dependent solutions.

  8. Software Updates

    When using cloud deployment, how are software updates such as security patches usually handled?

    1. Applied only during system downtime
    2. Skipped entirely
    3. Manually installed by the organization's IT team
    4. Automatically applied by the service provider

    Explanation: In cloud deployment, the service provider manages and applies software updates automatically to ensure security and performance. On-premise deployment requires manual updates by the in-house IT team. Updates are not typically skipped, and applying them only during system downtime is not standard practice in modern cloud services.

  9. Geographical Accessibility

    Which deployment option enables users from different global locations to access analytics with minimal configuration?

    1. Cloud deployment
    2. On-premise deployment
    3. Terminal deployment
    4. Batch deployment

    Explanation: Cloud deployment is designed for easy global accessibility, allowing users worldwide to connect with minimal configuration since resources are hosted centrally online. On-premise deployment is restricted by the organization's private network, often requiring VPN or special setup for remote access. Terminal and batch deployments are not focused on global accessibility.

  10. Customization and Integration

    For businesses with unique legacy systems that require deep custom integration, which deployment model generally offers more flexibility?

    1. Public deployment
    2. On-premise deployment
    3. Home deployment
    4. Cloud deployment

    Explanation: On-premise deployment offers greater flexibility for custom integrations with other systems, as organizations have full access to their environment. Cloud deployment may have limitations due to shared environments and preset integration frameworks. Public and home deployments do not accurately address large-scale, enterprise-level customization needs.