In the context of unprecedented data explosion, choosing the right storage model not only helps businesses operate effectively, but also determines their ability to adapt, compete and develop in the long term. Below are the most popular storage models today, along with an analysis of their advantages and disadvantages, to help businesses make the right strategic decisions.
1. ON-PREMISES STORAGE
On-premise storage model is the traditional way, in which businesses invest in hardware infrastructure, located in their own office or data center. All data is stored and managed internally.
Advantages:
- Complete physical control and data security.
- Suitable for organizations with special security requirements (banks, military, government).
- No need to rely on internet connection to access internal data.
Limits:
- Initial investment costs are very high (buying equipment, building server rooms, electricity and cooling systems).
- Infrastructure operation and maintenance costs are also large.
- Difficult to scale, not flexible when demand spikes.
- Risk of operational disruption without a dedicated IT team.
In the modern context, on-premises storage is gradually being replaced or only plays a supplementary role, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.
2. CLOUD STORAGE
This is a model that is growing rapidly globally. Data is stored in large provider data centers (such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud or local providers such as DCH), and accessed via the internet.
Main classification:
- Public Cloud: Multiple customers share the same infrastructure.
- Private Cloud: Private cloud infrastructure for an organization.
- Hybrid Cloud: Combination of Cloud and On-Premises.
Advantages:
- No initial infrastructure investment required – pay as you go (OPEX instead of CAPEX).
- Easily scale to actual needs.
- Fast technology updates, no need to worry about hardware maintenance.
- Easily integrate with AI tools, big data, real-time analytics.
Limits:
- Depends on internet connection.
- Concerns about data sovereignty if stored outside the national territory.
- Security risks if choosing an unreliable supplier.
In Vietnam, the trend of shifting to domestic cloud is increasing strongly thanks to legal regulations on personal data protection, domestic data localization and digital sovereignty.
3. HYPER-CONVERGED STORAGE
This model integrates storage hardware and software into the same server cluster (appliance), simplifying deployment and operation. The system can manage storage, computing, and virtualization in the same platform.
Advantages:
- Optimize performance and operating costs.
- Easy to scale out.
- Centralized management, reducing operational complexity.
Limits:
- Initial investment costs are still relatively high.
- Suitable for organizations with experienced technical staff.
This is a solution that is increasingly being deployed by financial institutions, large enterprises or data centers to save costs on traditional infrastructure management.
4. OBJECT STORAGE
Unlike the traditional file or block model, object storage stores data as independent “objects” with accompanying metadata – perfect for big data environments, multimedia content, or AI systems.
Advantages:
- Virtually unlimited scalability.
- Optimize unstructured data retrieval (video, image, log, machine learning…).
- Well compatible with modern applications and cloud storage.
Limits:
- Not suitable for data that requires extremely fast access speed or tight structure.
- More complicated to manage if not familiar with the model.
Modern AI systems and data centers, like DCH's AI Data Center, are integrating object storage to support the processing of large volumes of model training data and the operation of machine learning systems.
CHOICE STRATEGY: NO LONGER A SINGLE MODEL
In reality, most modern businesses do not choose just one model, but combine it flexibly: storing important data on-premises or in private cloud, and using public cloud to optimize costs and expand.
In Vietnam, the emergence of modern data centers such as DCH AI Data Center in Ba Ria - Vung Tau will open up great opportunities for businesses to transform digitally, when they can choose modern storage models right in Vietnam - ensuring speed, reliability, data sovereignty and the ability to integrate advanced AI technology.