When choosing a low-code platform, one of the most important decisions is where it runs: in the cloud, on-premises, or in a hybrid model. For organizations in the Middle East, this is tightly linked to data residency, regulation, and risk.
Cortex is designed to support all three models, giving enterprises flexibility to match IT strategy, compliance, and budget.
Cloud vs On-Prem: The Basics
Cloud Deployment
Cloud platforms provide:
- Fast provisioning and scalability
- Reduced upfront hardware costs
- Easier global access and updates
They are often ideal for startups and fast-scaling enterprises that prioritize speed and flexibility. Dataspot Infra Services+2Cloud4C+2
On-Premises Deployment
On-prem (self-hosted) environments provide:
- Maximum control over infrastructure
- More direct control over security configurations
- Strong alignment with strict data residency rules
They can be better for steady, predictable workloads and for highly regulated industries such as banking and public sector. Hewlett Packard Enterprise+2searchinform.com+2
Hybrid Models
Hybrid setups combine:
- Cloud for innovation and scale
- On-prem for sensitive data and core systems
This is becoming common in the Middle East as organizations move more workloads to cloud while keeping certain data within national borders or domestic data centers. PwC+2enreap.com+2
Why Hosting Matters for Low-Code in MENA
Data Residency and Localization
Many Middle Eastern countries now emphasize:
- Keeping certain types of data inside the country or region
- Using local data centers for government, banking, or healthcare workloads
- Ensuring third-party providers comply with local laws and regulators
Low-code platforms need to support flexible deployment so that organizations can meet these requirements without sacrificing innovation.
Latency and User Experience
Hosting closer to your users and core systems:
- Reduces latency for interactive apps and dashboards
- Improves reliability for ERP integrations
- Makes mobile and web experiences feel more responsive
How Cortex Supports Cloud, On-Prem, and Hybrid
Cortex is built with deployment flexibility as a core principle:
- Cloud – for organizations that want quick rollout, managed infrastructure, and easier scaling.
- On-Prem – for institutions that must keep data and workloads inside their own data centers.
- Hybrid – for enterprises that want to innovate in the cloud but keep certain systems on-prem.
This flexibility is especially important in sectors like public sector, banking, telecom, and healthcare, where mixed hosting strategies are increasingly common. PwC+1
Choosing the Right Model for Your Low-Code Projects
When Cloud-First Makes Sense
Consider cloud-first when:
- You have limited infrastructure capacity
- Your main priority is speed to market
- Data residency requirements are moderate or already covered by your cloud provider
- You want to scale usage quickly across countries or regions
When On-Prem or Hybrid Is Better
Consider on-prem or hybrid when:
- Regulations require data to stay in specific jurisdictions
- You have significant existing investment in data centers
- Your ERP and core systems are on-prem and tightly integrated
- You want maximum control over network, security, and performance
Cortex can be deployed close to your ERP databases in an on-prem data center, while still exposing secure APIs to cloud services where appropriate.
Best Practices for Low-Code Hosting Decisions
- Involve security and compliance early – don’t treat hosting as a pure IT decision.
- Map data flows – understand where data is stored, processed, and transmitted.
- Align with cloud strategy – ensure your low-code platform fits into your broader cloud and hybrid IT roadmap.
- Plan for future AI workloads – consider where AI services and models will run and how they will access data. PwC+1
References & outbound links
- HPE – On-premises vs cloud Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Cloud4C – On-prem vs cloud vs hybrid Cloud4C
- PwC – Data centre opportunity in the Middle East PwC
- Iconnect – Data residency in the UAE iconnectitbs.com
- BCG Platinion – From on-premises IT to cloud in the Middle East BCG Platinion
Learn more about our low-code services here: Singleclic Low-Code Development Services
