Choosing the Right Deployment Model for Your Business

Where your core system runs affects cost, control, compliance, and how much your IT team has to carry. Below, we break down private cloud, public cloud, and on-premises hosting, then compare the tradeoffs for insurance carriers and MGAs.

01. Private Cloud Hosting

• Offers a balance between control and reduced operational burden. Infrastructure is managed externally while data remains isolated
• Well-suited for organizations needing customizable environments. Supports hybrid strategies and unique compliance needs
• Typically involves subscription-based pricing with predictable costs. Flexibility without full infrastructure ownership

02. Public Cloud Hosting

• Highly scalable and cost-efficient. Ideal for organizations seeking elasticity without hardware limitations
• Infrastructure managed by a third-party provider. Reduces reliance on internal IT staff for maintenance
• May require careful evaluation of shared infrastructure and compliance constraints. Logical isolation of environments is standard, though physical infrastructure is shared

03. On-Premises Hosting

• Full control over infrastructure and data residency. Ideal for organizations with strict data governance or regulatory requirements
• Greater autonomy over system upgrades and customizations. Enables internal teams to manage patches, integrations, and configurations
• Higher upfront capital investment and operational overhead. Requires in-house IT expertise and infrastructure maintenance

Pros & Cons by Organization Type

Whether you’re an established carrier or a nimble MGA, your operational goals shape which hosting model makes the most sense. Below, we’ve outlined the benefits and limitations of each model to help guide your decision.

For Insurance Carriers

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For MGAs

Deployment ModelProsConsOn-PremisesGives large MGAs control and independenceMaintenance-heavy and IT-resource dependentPrivate CloudStrikes a balance between service and customizationSlightly more costly than public optionsPublic CloudFast, scalable, and budget-friendlyOffers less room for deep system customization

Additional Considerations

• Each client gets their own separate instance, with no forced upgrades or shared timelines
• Monitoring tools automatically alert for performance issues or capacity needs
• Regional data centers support global compliance requirements

About OneShield

OneShield delivers SaaS solutions for Carriers and MGAs, including our core policy, billing, claims, and analytics systems, OneShield Enterprise, and OneShield Market Solutions. Purpose-built for commercial, personal, and specialty lines, OneShield also offers the AI Hub, accelerating innovation and automation across our core systems and other insurance platforms.