The landscape of cloud computing is continually evolving. Today’s extensive range of cloud-based apps and tools enable enterprises to do more things, do them better and with greater efficiency. Far more than just a place to store data, the cloud provides access to some of the most valuable technologies available, including big data, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, automation and the internet of things (IoT). That said, it’s not just what can be done with the cloud that has evolved, so too is how things are done. There are now different clouds for different purposes: public, private and hybrid. Here, we examine the hybrid cloud and explain the reasons enterprises might want to use it.

What is a hybrid cloud?

A hybrid cloud is a solution that combines elements of both public cloud and private cloud, and can even include the use of dedicated servers. The public cloud is a multi-tenancy solution that provides cost-effective and highly scalable, on-demand resources, whereas a private cloud offers a more secure, single tenancy cloud environment. With the use of a hybrid cloud management tool, enterprises can manage the public and private elements so that they work harmoniously as a single environment.

Here are the main advantages of using a hybrid cloud solution.  

1. Flexibility for effectiveness

The various elements of the hybrid cloud infrastructure enable enterprises to run applications in the most effective environments. For instance, the private cloud can store and process sensitive data, the public cloud can run customer-facing applications that need scalability and availability, and a high-performance dedicated server can run process-heavy workloads, such as batch processing. In this sense, by utilising a hybrid cloud, organisations can physically and logically segment their infrastructure to meet their precise needs.

2. Improved security

Compliance with regulations like GDPR and MiFID II increases an enterprise’s need for robust security and the watertight management of personal and sensitive data. Failure to comply, especially when there is a data leak, can result in significant fines of up to 4% of global turnover as well as reputational damage. For this reason, the multi-tenancy of the public cloud has been a stumbling block for many highly regulated organisations that have seen the benefits of the cloud but which don’t want to risk using it to store sensitive data.

For those organisations, the hybrid cloud offers the ideal solution as the sensitive data can be stored and processed in the single tenancy private cloud or even on a dedicated server. Using the hybrid management tool, this can be isolated from the rest of the network and access restricted to both employees and applications. Additionally, the hardware can be configured so that the public and private clouds and any dedicated servers communicate using a secure, integrated private network.

3. Agility and cost-effectiveness 

The public cloud element of a hybrid cloud infrastructure offers enterprises the most cost-effective and agile solutions. Virtually unlimited on-demand resources ensure that organisations always have the computing resources they need, regardless of how heavy or unexpected the demand is. Websites won’t crash on Black Friday and big data applications won’t flatline mid analysis. Indeed, even if a dedicated server is struggling with a batch process, having a hybrid cloud means additional capacity can be gained in the public cloud. 

From a cost-effectiveness perspective, cloud services are charged for on a pay-as-you-go basis. In other words, organisations only pay for the resources they use. When workloads are completed or traffic reduces, they can scale down as easily as up, keeping costs to a minimum.

4. Operating system choice

Providers of managed cloud solutions should be able to offer organisations a range of Linux and Windows operating systems. This can be especially beneficial for companies that rely on legacy applications and want to migrate them to the cloud or integrate them with other cloud operations.

Additionally, when it comes to developing new applications or trialling new software, the speed at which cloud servers can be deployed makes it an infrastructure of choice for R&D projects and getting new products quickly to market.

5. A unified solution

Working with a trusted managed IT solutions partner, like Hyperslice, offers a unified solution that can deliver a seamless adoption of a hybrid cloud. With a single partner rather than multiple vendors, it is easier to manage relationships and gain a comprehensive understanding of the enterprise’s needs. This enables providers to create a bespoke managed cloud solution where each element of the hybrid cloud works in harmony to achieve the company’s goals. In tandem with this is that technical support can also be more effective. The solutions partner understands the integration of the entire system and, crucially, has the authority to deliver expert technical support wherever in the system it is needed, something that cannot be done so easily when multiple vendors have different areas of responsibility.

Conclusion

The hybrid cloud enables organisations to run applications in the environments that are most appropriate to their needs, whether that’s in a private or public cloud or on a dedicated server. The combination of the separate elements provides enhanced security and compliance, improved processing, greater agility and increased cost-effectiveness. Working with a single, managed cloud solutions partner can ensure that the right, unified solution is in place, that migrations are properly managed, and that ongoing management and technical support is fully effective.

For more information about our hybrid solutions, visit hyperslice.com.