The Cloud Isn’t Magic, It’s Just Someone Else’s Overpriced Computer

The magician unveils the truth behind the cloud, revealing it's just an old server up for rent.

Abstract: Public cloud providers have marketed their platforms as the inevitable future of IT, but the reality is far from magical. Between egress fees, lock-in complexity, and stacked partner margins, many organizations are now re-evaluating whether everything truly belongs in the cloud. This post explores why cloud exits, reverse migration, and cloud repatriation are gaining momentum, and why your trusted IT advisor may not be incentivized to suggest them.

For years, hyperscalers have been selling an alluring vision: that the only future for IT infrastructure is in the public cloud. It’s fast, scalable, “magical.” But here’s the unvarnished truth: You're not entering some futuristic ecosystem, you’re just renting someone else’s computer, often at a 40–80% margin*.

Cloud providers make it incredibly easy to get in—with free tiers, instant provisioning, dev credits, and frictionless onboarding. But try to move your workloads back and forth, or explore a cloud exit, and suddenly you’re faced with egress fees, architectural lock-in, and operational friction.

Why? Because every workload you move out is recurring revenue they lose. Public cloud companies are financially incentivized to make reverse migration costly and complex.

Most businesses don’t even realize they’re being gently herded into long-term commitments. Over time, that flexibility they sold you on starts to feel more like a trap.

Why Most Advisors Won’t Recommend Cloud Repatriation

Many organizations rely on IT resellers, or consultants to guide their infrastructure strategy. But here’s the thing: cloud repatriation is often a one-time project. There’s no recurring revenue stream tied to helping a customer exit the cloud, and that makes it a tough sell for partners and sales reps with quotas to hit.

On the flip side, cloud services provide highly predictable monthly revenue. So unless you're already complaining, chances are no one’s going to bring up the idea of moving workloads out of the cloud—even if it could save you millions. That’s how many teams end up trapped in oversized cloud bills, long after their workloads have stabilized.

Bottom Line: Not Everything Belongs in the Cloud Forever

At ArcShift, we specialize in helping companies exit the public cloud and reclaim control of their infrastructure—whether it’s for cost savings, performance, security, compliance, or all of the above.

Schedule A Free Consultation

*Margin estimates (40–80%) are based on cumulative markups across cloud provider pricing, distribution, reseller channels, and associated service layers.