The Advantages of Project Management Without the Cloud
Cloud services are ubiquitous, enabling flexible access to data from anywhere. But they also come with risks. Large data breaches are frequently reported, such as the one in 2019 that affected 530 million Facebook users. The list of affected cloud services grows every year.
5 Reasons for Project Planning Outside the Cloud:
Protecting Sensitive Project Data
Protection Against Identity Theft
Maximum Control Over Project Data
Compliance & Data Protection (GDPR)
Independence from Internet & Cloud Services
How Merlin Project Helps
FAQs
Security breaches, data control issues, and compliance challenges continue to arise. This is why many companies, particularly in security-critical industries, opt for local solutions. In this article, we present the top 5 reasons why cloud-free project management makes sense.
1. Protecting Sensitive Project Data
Cloud storage is often the target of cyberattacks. Companies store trade secrets, financial data, and personal information there—making them attractive targets for hackers. Highly sensitive data, such as in the defense industry, finance sector, or research, should not be stored in the cloud.
A recent example: Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike has reported increasing attacks on cloud services. Data breaches at providers like Dropbox or Microsoft 365 highlight the risks of cloud storage. With a local solution, you retain full control over your data and prevent unauthorized access.
2. Protection Against Identity Theft
Cloud services often store not just project data but also user profiles, payment details, and access rights. If these are stolen, attackers can hijack identities and misuse business-critical information.
A project plan in the cloud is as valuable as credit card data: It contains schedules, budgets, cost forecasts, and resource planning. If it falls into the wrong hands, competitors or cybercriminals could gain an advantage. A local solution ensures your project identity remains protected.
3. Maximum Control Over Project Data
Cloud services offer flexible access but require a high level of trust in the provider. What happens if the cloud provider changes its data policies or shuts down the service?
A real-world example: Some companies have unexpectedly lost access to their data due to changes in cloud provider terms or server shutdowns. With a local project management solution like Merlin Project, you maintain full control over your data at all times.
4. Compliance & Data Protection (GDPR)
For companies in Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a crucial factor. Many cloud providers store data outside the EU, creating legal uncertainties.
Questions companies should ask:
- Where is my project data stored?
- Who has access to it?
- What legal risks come with cloud storage?
In industries like architecture, construction, or healthcare, legal requirements may mandate local storage. A cloud-free solution helps avoid data protection violations and minimizes risk.
5. Independence from Internet & Cloud Services
A frequently overlooked factor is infrastructure reliability. Cloud-based project management tools rely on a stable internet connection. If the network fails or a server issue arises, your projects become inaccessible.
With a local software solution like Merlin Project, you can work offline and remain independent of external service providers. Your data is always available—even when the internet is down or a cloud service is unreachable.
Security & Control with Cloud-Free Project Management
Choosing cloud-free project management means not only better data protection but also more control, fewer dependencies, and greater security for your sensitive information. Companies with high-security requirements should consider alternatives to the cloud.
Merlin Project is a software solution by ProjectWizards for project management on Mac. ProjectWizards believe that great software empowers people to handle complex tasks with ease. That’s why they have been working for over ten years to bring this magic to their customers through Merlin Project. From the beginning, ProjectWizards recognized macOS and iOS as the best platforms for their products. With success, as the leading project management software for macOS & iOS comes from ProjectWizards GmbH and is called Merlin Project. Through an extensive network of partners, ProjectWizards offers global distribution and support for their software.
With Merlin Project, you rely on a proven, locally stored solution that gives you full control over your projects.
Try it free for 30 days.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I still collaborate with my team without using the cloud?
Yes! While Merlin Project supports cloud synchronization e.g. via Dropbox and iCloud (among others), it is not required. There are multiple ways to collaborate in Merlin Project:
What project management features does Merlin Project offer?
Merlin Project is a fully featured project management suite with multiple views, including (but definitely not limited to):
What makes Merlin Project unique is its seamless adaptability: Wwitch between views instantly while maintaining all your project data. This ensures that you can choose the best perspective for each phase of your project without re-entering any information. Plus, since Version 9, our intelligent assistant generates a first project plan for you based on a short text description.
Is a local project management solution more cost-effective than cloud-based software?
Absolutely. Merlin Project offers straightforward pricing:
No hidden cloud storage fees – Store your data locally without worrying about third-party pricing changes. Plus, with our price guarantee, you'll keep the same price until cancellation. Avoid the financial impact of data breaches, compliance fines, and downtime caused by cloud service failures.
This article was last updated on February 17, 2025.
