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AEM Cloud vs. AEM On-Premise – choosing the best solution for your business

Published
Michał Łukawski, 15. January 2025

In the face of increasing competition and rising consumer expectations, large organisations must not only deliver content across multiple channels, but also ensure that it is consistent, personalised and of high quality. In today’s diverse digital ecosystem, a content management system (CMS) becomes a critical tool. Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is one of the most powerful CMS platforms on the market, enabling organisations to deliver optimised, personalised, and scalable end-user experiences.

A graphic showing the AEM Cloud and AEM On-Premise symbols, representing key features of Adobe Experience Manager (AEM). The AEM (creative) Cloud model emphasises scalability, cloud service, content publishing capabilities and integration with other systems. The AEM On-Premise symbol accentuates local content management, control over digital assets, and database-driven personalisation. The graphic indicates the personalised experience and cross-platform availability offered by Adobe Experience Manager AEM / Adobe Systems and digital asset management functionality for cross-channel solutions.

AEM provides features such as:

  1. Increased operational efficiency through content management process automation – automation is key to reducing manual tasks, resulting in lower costs and greater efficiency.

2. Accurate content personalisation – accurate personalisation is critical to effective customer communication and engagement. With advanced analytics tools, AEM enables the delivery of content tailored to individual user preferences.

3. Flexible scalability and deployment – as a business grows, the ability to flexibly scale AEM is essential to quickly adapt to changing market demands without requiring a complete infrastructure overhaul.

4. Easy content creation – a user-friendly interface enables non-technical staff to create and edit content, significantly speeding up publication and reducing reliance on IT teams. In addition, AEM implements the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) paradigm – rare in this class of software – which greatly simplifies working with content.

5. Omni-channel content management – delivering content to multiple platforms from a single management system is critical to providing a consistent user experience and extending communication reach.

6. Personalisation and targeting – the ability to analyse user behaviour and personalise content is critical to increasing audience engagement and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

7. E-commerce integration – for online retailers, integrating AEM with e-commerce platforms enables personalised shopping experiences that directly impact conversion rates and customer loyalty.

8. Core Components Library – out-of-the-box components that only require styling speed up the implementation process and enable faster business results. The Core Components Library also comes with pre-configured analytics, so connecting to tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics takes days instead of weeks. This makes tracking results easy and efficient.

9. Dynamic Media Asset Storage – hosting images in Dynamic Media allows you to deliver scalable images optimised for different devices. This significantly improves Web Vitals metrics and boosts Google search engine optimization (SEO), ensuring better site quality and higher rankings.

An infographic outlining the key functionalities of Adobe Experience Manager (AEM). The graphic features icons illustrating features such as automation, content personalisation, scalability, multi-channel content management, e-commerce integration, Dynamic Media asset storage and the Core Components library. The graphic style is minimalist, with sectioning and visual symbols representing each functionality.

Organisations deploying Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) have a choice of two primary models: AEM Cloud and AEM On-Premise. Each has its own advantages, disadvantages, and resource and infrastructure requirements. Choosing the right option requires a thorough analysis of business needs, data management preferences, regulatory requirements and the IT resources available within the organisation. In this article, we compare the two models and examine their key features and differences to help you make an informed decision about which model best suits your organisation’s needs.

Why AEM?

Decision-makers looking for a CMS need to ensure that the solution they choose increases operational efficiency, provides flexible scalability, ensures full regulatory compliance, and minimises the risks associated with data security, legal requirements, infrastructure management and integration with existing systems.

AEM Cloud – a cloud-based solution

AEM Cloud is a version of Adobe Experience Manager delivered by Adobe as a fully managed cloud service. This model allows organisations to leverage the power of AEM without investing in a complex IT infrastructure. Adobe manages the entire environment, including servers, databases, software updates, and security. By choosing a cloud-based solution, organisations can avoid the high costs associated with on-premises infrastructure and scale resources as needed without the need to purchase additional hardware.

An infographic outlining the key features of Adobe Experience Manager Cloud. The graphic illustrates features such as cloud-based infrastructure, automatic updates and continuous development, scalability, and security and compliance. Icons symbolise the cloud, automation, scalability graphs and data security, all in a modern, minimalist style.

Key features of the AEM Cloud:

  • Cloud-based infrastructure:
    AEM Cloud runs on Adobe’s globally scalable infrastructure, built on platforms such as AWS (Amazon Web Services) or Microsoft Azure. As a result, organisations don’t need to manage their own servers or hardware. Resources are dynamically allocated based on current load and user demand.
  • Automatic updates and continuous evolution:
    With AEM Cloud, users don’t have to worry about manually fixing bugs, maintaining security patches, or deploying new features. Adobe delivers these elements automatically, so organisations can take advantage of the latest functionality as soon as it’s released. Updates are delivered during scheduled maintenance windows, minimising downtime and ensuring continuous service availability.
  • Scalability:
    AEM Cloud is much more scalable than on-premises solutions. Organisations can scale resources (storage, compute, service availability) as needed. When website traffic spikes (for example, during a marketing campaign), AEM Cloud automatically adjusts resources to handle the increased load, ensuring continuous availability and performance.
  • Security and compliance:
    AEM Cloud complies with various international security standards and regulations, such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Adobe manages all aspects of data security, freeing organisations from the need to maintain in-house IT security teams. In addition, data is encrypted both in transit and at rest for complete protection.

Business benefits of the AEM Cloud:

  1. Lower acquisition and operating costs:
    The cloud model eliminates the need to purchase and maintain expensive server infrastructure and a dedicated IT team to manage the system. Usage costs are based on monthly or annual subscriptions, allowing for more predictable budgeting.

    2. Easy to deploy:
    Because Adobe fully manages the environment, AEM Cloud is significantly faster to deploy than on-premises solutions. Organisations can be up and running in days or weeks, depending on the size of the deployment. Data migration may require advance planning, especially if large volumes of data need to be migrated to meet the requirements of the cloud architecture.

    3. Global availability and performance:
    Adobe’s cloud infrastructure enables AEM Cloud to deliver content globally, which is critical for organisations that operate in multiple markets. Resources are served from the nearest servers, minimising latency and improving performance.

Read about how the choice of CMS affects the creation of accessible pages – Which CMS to choose – a comparison in terms of accessibility

4. Respond quickly to market changes:
Organisations using AEM Cloud can respond more quickly to changing business environments because new features and updates are automatically deployed by Adobe, eliminating the delays associated with manual installations.

 

An infographic outlining the key features of Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) On-Premise. The graphic visualises elements such as local infrastructure, full customisation, system management and accountability. Icons symbolise servers, IT tools, modular customisation and technological control, highlighting the benefits and challenges of the on-premise model. The overall design is maintained in a technical and professional style.

Disadvantages of the AEM Cloud:

1. Lack of full control over the infrastructure:
With AEM Cloud, the organisation does not have direct access to the infrastructure running the system. Although Adobe provides a high standard of service, some organisations may prefer to have complete control over their IT resources, especially when unique configurations are required.

2. Vendor lock-in:
Using AEM Cloud means relying on the stability of Adobe’s service. If the provider’s infrastructure experiences downtime or service interruptions, organisations may experience outages or content inaccessibility. Understanding Adobe’s service level agreement (SLA) is critical to assessing the risk of potential downtime.

3. Limited customisation:
AEMaaCS (Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service) has certain limitations when it comes to customising the solution. The AEM cloud architecture limits the availability of some features found in traditional AEM versions, such as ACS Commons or ACS Tools. Organisations that require deeper personalisation should be aware of these limitations and plan for any restrictions on system customisation.

When should you choose AEM Cloud?

AEM Cloud is the ideal solution for organisations that need flexibility and want to reduce the burden on their IT resources. It’s designed for businesses that require rapid deployment, readily available updates and global accessibility. With a fully managed cloud infrastructure, organisations can focus on key activities – such as content development and marketing campaigns – without worrying about maintaining on-premises systems.

This approach is also suitable for organisations that do not have highly specialised CMS requirements and are ready to fully integrate with the Adobe Experience Cloud and Adobe I/O ecosystem. Such an arrangement enables comprehensive management of digital experiences and access to advanced automation capabilities, improving operational efficiency and supporting key business objectives.

AEM On-Premise – full control of your infrastructure

AEM On-Premise is a traditional deployment model where the software is installed and managed on servers within the organisation. With this model, organisations retain full control of their IT infrastructure, software, data and security. It’s the preferred solution for organisations with unique requirements for system control, customisation or internal compliance.

An infographic outlining the business benefits of Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) On-Premise. The graphic illustrates benefits such as full control over data and infrastructure, the ability to fully personalise, improved support for internal systems and operational predictability. The icons represent servers, IT tools, systems integration and operational planning, highlighting the benefits of the on-premise model for companies operating in regulated industries. The graphic style is professional and minimalist.

Key features of AEM On-Premise:

Local infrastructure:
In an on-premises model, the organisation manages the entire infrastructure – from purchasing and configuring servers to performing regular updates. This setup provides full control over the system, but also increases complexity and maintenance costs.

Customisation and personalisation:
Organisations using AEM On-Premise can tailor the software to their unique needs, which may include integrating with other internal systems or creating custom features and modules. In addition, integrations with ERP, CRM or other complex databases can be more tightly controlled and optimised to meet specific business needs.

System management and ownership:
AEM On-Premise requires organisations to have dedicated IT teams to manage the system, install updates, and monitor security and system performance.

Business benefits of AEM On-Premise:

1. Complete control over data and infrastructure:
In industries with strict data storage and processing regulations (such as healthcare and government), an on-premises model may be required to meet legal and regulatory requirements.

2. Extensive customisation:
AEM On-Premise offers greater flexibility to tailor the system to an organisation’s unique needs, including integration with internal tools and customisation of interfaces and functionality. Organisations can also implement custom solutions that may not be available in a cloud-based model.

3. Enhanced support for internal systems:
Organisations using AEM On-Premise can more easily integrate AEM with other internally managed systems already in place. Integration with ERP, CRM or internal databases can be more tightly controlled and optimised to meet specific organisational needs.

4. Operational predictability:
With full control of their own infrastructure, organisations can more accurately predict potential downtime by managing the entire IT process. They are not dependent on external vendors, allowing for better planning of system maintenance.

An infographic outlining the business benefits of Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Cloud. The graphic illustrates aspects such as low upfront and operational costs, ease of deployment, global availability and high performance. Icons symbolise the cloud, rocket launch, global reach and infrastructure optimisation, highlighting the benefits of the cloud model for businesses. The graphic style is modern and clear.

Disadvantages of AEM On-Premise:

1. High initial cost: The on-premises model requires significant investment in infrastructure (servers, storage, management tools) and human resources to manage the system.

2. Complex maintenance and administration: Maintaining AEM on-premises requires continuous monitoring of the infrastructure, installation of updates and security patches, and management of IT resources. Unlike AEM Cloud, where updates are automatic, organisations must manually plan and execute each update.

3. Longer deployment time: Compared to AEM Cloud, AEM On-Premise takes longer to deploy because each component of the system must be configured in-house.

4. No immediate access to the latest functionality: On-premises users often have to wait for new features to be implemented as they become available only after a manual update of the system. Unlike the cloud model, there is no automatic, real-time access to the latest Adobe features and enhancements.

When should you choose AEM On-Premise?

AEM On-Premise is the right solution for organisations with specific security, compliance or system customisation requirements. It is the preferred model for organisations that have IT resources and want full control over their infrastructure and data. Organisations operating in highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare or government may require an on-premise solution to meet stringent standards.

A person working on a laptop at a desk, in a modern office. There is an open notebook on the table, suggesting planning and project management. The graphic illustrates the efficiency and flexibility offered by Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) in the AEM Cloud model and its use in content management and integration with other systems.

Key differences between AEM Cloud and AEM On-Premise

Cost:

  • AEM Cloud: Using AEM Cloud means lower upfront costs, as there is no need to purchase server infrastructure or build a dedicated IT team to manage it. In the cloud model, costs are fixed (in the form of a subscription), allowing for better financial planning. Costs may increase if the organisation decides to scale resources as demand grows.

 

  • AEM on-premises: Implementing AEM on-premises has a higher initial cost, as companies need to invest in purchasing infrastructure (servers, storage, software). In the long term, operating costs can be lower than in the cloud if the organisation has the resources to manage the internal infrastructure.

Scalability:

  • AEM Cloud: The cloud model provides flexible and dynamic scalability. When demand increases (for example, due to marketing campaigns or seasonal traffic spikes), AEM Cloud automatically adjusts resources to ensure uninterrupted performance. Scaling in the cloud is simple and instantaneous, with no user intervention.

 

  • AEM On-Premise: Scaling the system in the on-premises model requires the purchase of additional hardware and licence expansion, which adds cost and time to installation and configuration. It is more complex than in the cloud and requires careful planning.

Security:

  • AEM Cloud: Adobe manages the security of the AEM Cloud infrastructure, including updates, threat monitoring, and compliance with international security standards. Despite the advanced security features of the cloud, some organisations, particularly those in the financial and healthcare sectors, may prefer to retain full control of their data.

 

  • AEM On-Premise: With the on-premise model, organisations have full control over data security and can implement their own security policies and regulatory compliance measures. This is a key benefit for organisations with specific data protection requirements and local regulatory compliance.

Performance:

  • AEM Cloud: AEM Cloud performance is powered by Adobe’s global infrastructure, ensuring availability and speed regardless of user location. The scalability of the cloud allows the system to adapt to increasing loads without performance degradation.

 

  • AEM On-Premise: The performance of the on-premise system depends on the local infrastructure, which means the organisation must ensure sufficient resources to maintain optimal performance. Improving performance requires investment in infrastructure expansion, which can delay response times to sudden traffic spikes.

Comparison: AEM Cloud a AEM On-Premise

Category
AEM Cloud
AEM On-Premise
Costs
Lower initial costs, fixed costs in the form of subscription, costs may increase with scaling
Higher initial costs, lower operational costs in the long term, investment in infrastructure
Scalability
Flexible and dynamic scalability, automatic resource adjustment
Requires additional hardware purchase, more complex, requires planning
Security
Adobe manages security, compliance with standards, some organizations may prefer full control
Full control over security, ability to implement own policies, compliance with local regulations
Performance
Depends on Adobe’s global infrastructure, availability and speed, scalability without performance degradation
Depends on local infrastructure, requires investment in expansion, may delay response to traffic spikes
Table 1. Key differences between AEM Cloud and AEM On-Premise

Summary

The choice between AEM Cloud and AEM On-Premise depends on the specific needs and preferences of an organisation. Both models have strengths that can be tailored to different business scenarios.

  • AEM Cloud offers flexibility, lower up-front costs and ease of management, making it an ideal solution for fast-growing or global organisations.
  • AEM On-Premise, with full control over data and infrastructure, is the choice for organisations that value technology independence and data security.

With its customisation and scalability capabilities, Adobe Experience Manager is a good choice for organisations looking to invest in the future, efficiency, and security of their digital customer experiences.

The final decision should be based on an analysis of the organisation’s current and future needs, as well as its ability to manage technology and IT resources.

Author

Michał Łukawski

IT Client Partner

He served as Managing Director of SYZYGY Warsaw and later became a member of the team transforming the organization into a teal structure. With 16 years of experience in IT, he has been helping to create and develop digital products for corporate clients. He combines a deep understanding of business needs with building lasting relationships. A proponent of agile methodologies, he focuses on rapidly bringing products to market and continuously enhancing their value. He believes in a partnership approach based on transparency and shared responsibility, supporting organizations in effective change and team development.

Michał also written articles such as:

A graphic promoting Adobe Experience Manager Cloud, featuring Michal Lukawski, IT Client Partner, against a modern office backdrop. The headline reads, ‘Explore the possibilities of AEM,’ and the sub-headline reads, ‘See if it's the solution for you.’ The graphic emphasises the flexibility and content management capabilities of the cloud-based service, tailored to different platforms. The style is modern and professional, with an emphasis on personalised user experience and integration with other systems. Emphasis on customer behaviour on mobile devices and solving the problems large companies face with the need to respond quickly - a comprehensive solution provides access to information processing, form creation and advanced analytics.

Wondering which solution – AEM Cloud or AEM On-Premise – is better for your business?

Choosing the right Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) model can significantly impact your content management efficiency and help you achieve your business goals. Get in touch with us to learn more about the benefits of both models and find the option that best suits your company’s needs.

Talk to our experts and find the perfect solution tailored to your needs.

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