About 88% of organizations use public cloud services. Public cloud services are very popular but businesses also have the option of private or hybrid cloud. What’s the best option? It depends.
Public cloud is a good solution for extra noncritical storage and application development. Private provides security for your data and critical applications. Hybrid cloud environments allow you to combine the advantages of both public and private cloud services. Hybrid cloud systems come with some difficulties but also offer great advantages over traditional solutions.
What is Hybrid Cloud?
Cloud services can include on premise or off site services and public or private cloud. Hybrid cloud strategies often include a private cloud option (either on- or off-site) mixed with a public cloud service. A hybrid system is a good solution for businesses with large amounts of data as well as applications run in the cloud.
Hybrid cloud offers the ability to store critical data and applications safely in a private cloud while moving less critical information to a public cloud. The movement to a public cloud can be planned (used during periods of high system use) or unplanned (bursting information onto a cloud service when loads get unexpectedly high). What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Advantages of Hybrid Cloud
Combine cloud services with your current system: Adding additional storage or processing capabilities can be expensive. Combining on site computer systems with off-site ones lets you expand your computing capabilities without purchasing additional servers. Interestingly, public cloud services, because they usually have the newest equipment, are great environments for testing and developing software.
- Expand when needed: Public cloud services can be purchased for short periods of time, when your business needs additional servers. Or you can have use a public cloud service year round. You can distribute computing needs within your hybrid system when you have heavier traffic or the need to store business data. Dynamic computing options really add value to your business.
- Incorporates new technologies: Cloud systems let you expand business application accessibility. Store your business software in the cloud to put less strain on your on-site computing system. When you store software in a cloud environment, employees can access the software from their office, the warehouse, or through mobile devices. This flexibility allows employees to work from anywhere while you save on software costs.
- Improves resiliency: Businesses who have several computing options can better weather storms. Handling increased data loads, backing up data, and transferring data are all good reasons to have a cloud system. Dividing your computing services to best use each cloud service gives your business scalability and security. Having both public and private cloud services can be complex for your IT department but if done well, offers more.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Cloud
- Requires very careful network design: One of the major concerns with hybrid cloud is the need to manage them well. Your on-site system needs to interface with your cloud services. And your applications need to be compatible within your network. Designing a strong network can optimize all you computing services so your system runs smoothly. Careful planning is worth the effort.
- Can have compatibility problems: Cloud systems offer many advantages, if they connect well. Data needs to transfer easily. Software needs to work well with other software. There are several software programs that orchestrate all your cloud systems to improve network compatibility. Tracking and controlling your hybrid cloud helps the system to run more smoothly.
- Service disruptions: Public cloud services often have more service disruptions than private ones. And any service disruption can slow down your business. Putting plans in place to work around service disruptions can alleviate any workflow problems. Selecting quality hybrid solutions also minimizes service disruptions.
Hybrid cloud solutions can be great for dynamic businesses with high computing system needs. Having data storage, application access, as well as a business phone system in a flexible network won’t reduce costs but will offer the ability to scale and expand easily.
