The Benefits of Implementing a Hybrid Cloud Strategy For Your Business
Hybrid Cloud Strategies are becoming increasingly popular, because they provide business with the advantages of both an on-premise and a Cloud-based service. The advantage to a Hybrid strategy is that you would not need to buy any new hardware or software. Your business would only need to implement a few devices and software which already exist on the Internet. Hybrid strategies can be implemented for all types of businesses – SaaS (Software as a Service) and PaaS (Platform as a Service). Hybrid Cloud Strategies would be most appropriate for small businesses that require a minimal amount of IT expertise, but at the same time want a high level of flexibility and control.
If you plan to use an on-premise software model, you will need to maintain and upgrade hardware, software and network equipment. This would mean additional costs and might make it difficult to have access to certain applications or features. If your customers require more functionality than what you currently offer, it will be harder to justify additional investment in your infrastructure. For example, if your business processes require real-time processing power, your server needs to be able to accommodate more traffic, and this will mean purchasing new hardware.
Another advantage of a Hybrid strategy is that it provides flexibility. Unlike on-premises software, your business is not locked in to any existing hardware or software platform. Platforms such as Windows, Linux, Apple Mac OS X, Android OS and more are all viable choices for running a Cloud infrastructure. Also, many Cloud computing providers bundle their services with other common tools. This helps to streamline your service and integrate it with existing business practices. However, there are different options for running Cloud infrastructure, depending upon your current needs, budget and available resources.
Most businesses will benefit from a hybrid cloud strategy, as it allows them to leverage off-site or on-site infrastructure. When choosing a Hybrid option, your choice should carefully consider the pros and cons. It will be easier to implement, and will increase the operational and management efficiencies of your business. By migrating your data to the Cloud, you will also reduce your maintenance costs. The Hybrid option will provide more value to your business. In short, the advantages of a Hybrid Cloud strategy will outweigh the disadvantages.
When running a Cloud environment, you will not need to buy any new hardware, which is an added advantage. If you have spent time and money building your business infrastructure, then you will be better served by continuing to use the hardware that you have to maximize the effectiveness of your online presence. Buying new hardware can be a very costly endeavour. As such, any savings that you make should be quickly harnessed in order to reduce operational costs.
When looking at the various hybrid cloud choices available, it will be important to evaluate the depth of the collaboration and support offered by the solution provider. Providers of these solutions will typically offer both on-demand and on-premise solutions. If you only require minimal on-demand functionality, then an on-premise solution could be suitable for your business. However, if you have a large enterprise with significant needs for real-time analytics, reporting, geo-targeting, or other advanced capabilities, then you will likely require a hybrid cloud service.
One of the key benefits of implementing a Hybrid Cloud strategy for your business is the increased efficiency and improved operational results that come with moving your business logic to the Cloud. Virtualization technology allows information to be processed faster and in a more efficient manner, which will lead to an increase in overall productivity and profit. In particular, VDI (virtualization enabled devices) can greatly improve your ability to respond to customers’ needs quickly. This type of innovation can also reduce IT costs.
Hybrid Cloud solutions allow you to take advantage of new technologies and to leverage the benefits offered by a hybrid infrastructure without investing too much in resources that are not necessary for your business. Therefore, if your business is growing at a rapid pace and requires additional resources, a Hybrid Cloud strategy can help you remain competitive in the marketplace. The flexibility associated with a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) solution can be used to build a highly-efficient business network and also to split internal resources, while still saving money and reducing operational stress. To learn more about how Virtual Private Cloud technology can benefit your company, contact a Cisco consultant today.