[kqr]

I think you and I are saying basically the same thing, only putting emphasis on different aspects due to our various historic experiences.

Look at your demand pattern (variable or stable, predictable or unpredictable) and what cost structures your finances can support (variable or fixed, up-front or as-you-go), pick a solution based on that, not what's cool.

[acdha]

Also adding your barriers to entry: staff, facilities, process, etc. It doesn’t help you saving on servers over a cloud provider if your procurement process means you have people sitting idle for 6 months.