Many people are currently agonizing over the decision to switch their computer system over to a cloud-computing environment. Some are concerned about the security issues or the privacy problems. Others are worried about connectivity and what happens when the cloud goes down. If you are not 100 percent sold on the prospect, there may be a compromise that gives you the best of both worlds—the hybrid cloud. Here’s a look at what this exactly entails.
What is a hybrid cloud?
Hybrid cloud is a computing plan that combines a mixture of cloud services (both private and public/third-party) and on-site computing. This option allows offices to shift and change their computing needs as necessary without exclusively switching over to one format over another. It gives you the opportunity and the flexibility to get the best aspects of clouds without sacrificing the autonomy of your present on-site service.
Here’s how this might work: A business computing system that is heavy on data and data processing might want to switch to the hybrid style. All of the actual data could be housed in a private cloud format. This allows the company the flexibility to always have access to the data while also making sure they can keep the specific data secure. However, when it comes to running analysis of this data, the company can switch to a public cloud system which can handle the workload much better than the in-house option.
How can you make the cloud work for you in a hybrid environment?
The key to success with a hybrid system is also the key to any business venture—planning. If you properly plan in advance for the switchover and how the hybrid environment will work cooperatively, then you will more likely see a positive outcome.
See where you stand
First, sit back and look at your current IT department and determine exactly where you stand in terms of technology. Determine exactly what systems you have running on different operating systems, what type of software your employees use on a regular basis, and what impact this might have on your network server.
Brainstorm
Here, you should have your IT department sit down and throw ideas out about how they want the program to look in a few years. Get everything out on the table—no idea is too crazy to put down! Then sit down and start crossing off the ideas that are not practical. Look at what can actually happen and how this will positively impact your company.
Look at your options
The next part is research. You need to look at all of the options available and do a side-by-side comparison to find the one that fits your needs the best. Look at reviews, but also ask each vendor for references that you can contact for information about their experiences.
Craft your plan
This is actually a two-pronged step. First, plan what you want your hybrid seup to look like. What aspects do you want handled “in-house” and which ones will you be farming out to third-party cloud vendors? Once you determine exactly what your cloud system looks like, then you can plan how you will handle the switchover. This second plan should include step-by-step of each process, including a timeline and who will be responsible for these pieces. The important thing here is to not try to switch everything over at once. Doing this in small doses can actually make the work go easier and allow you to handle problems more efficiently as they occur.
With careful planning and research, a hybrid cloud model is a good opportunity for those who are not ready to do a full switchover. It allows the flexibility of the cloud with the autonomy of the on-site computer system.
New Edge Technology has a dedicated team of cloud experts as effective and powerful as the cloud itself! Managed cloud is not just our specialty; it’s our passion as well. Contact us today at 800-407-5668 for a free consultation.