Cloud technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace. When I first started blogging about cloud computing in 2013, I was already impressed by the progress that the industry had made. Unfortunately, the noise created by the numerous sensational articles on cloud computing has overshadowed some of the content on more important but less interesting topics.
The industry growth rate gets a lot of attention. It is estimated that the industry will be worth $411 trillion in the next two years. You will also hear about some of the major projects that are taking place. The Pentagon recently unveiled a $10 billion cloud computing competition, which Google and other agencies were interested in.
While these discussions capitalize the headlines, they aren’t the most important factors for everyday businesses. They are more concerned about the types of cloud services that they can use. They have a choice between public, private, and hybrid cloud solutions.
The Sudden Interest in the Hybrid Cloud, Explained
In today’s world, it’s understandable why so many companies have made a move to cloud services. For many businesses, it just doesn’t pay to have their own IT department anymore. It’s often full of problems, and while there is undoubtedly an increase in security, a simple issue can often bring the whole network down without so much as a moment’s notice. While there are still companies out there that swear by an in-house IT crew, not every company can pull this kind of business model off.
Both sides of the spectrum
It doesn’t mean however that setting up an off-premises cloud service is the best possible course of action to take. While it might be flexible and allow you to pay for only what you need, the technical problems have been replaced by security issues and possible leaks. It can be quite challenging to manage either an on-premises IT team, public cloud or an off-premises cloud service because they’re both on opposite ends of the spectrum. However, what if there was a compromise between the two?
The hybrid cloud
Introduced by companies such as Aviatrix, the hybrid cloud is taking the world by storm in such a way that it’s a surprise they don’t call it the thundercloud instead. It’s primarily a cloud environment that is a mix of the two previous business models. It means that the hybrid cloud is a mixture of off-premises and on-premises cloud services. Whether you’re the type who is loath to have all of the control taken away from your network or someone who simply cannot handle the workload necessary to handle an on-site IT crew, the hybrid cloud has something to offer everyone.
While the services of the hybrid cloud depend on the package and the company that you hire, there’s no doubting the fact that you’re likely to find at least one configuration that will work well with your company.
Flexibility and security
One of the main reasons why even startup companies consider the cloud is because it’s very flexible with its packages. Being able to pay only for what you need goes a long way, but the disadvantage is that control over the network is taken away – not to mention the possibility of a security breach. When it comes to the hybrid cloud, however, you get the best of both worlds. The responsibility is mitigated somewhat by having other systems being handled by off-premises cloud solutions, while you still get to keep control of your own private system. It creates a cloud environment that can satisfy companies from both sides of the argument.
To conclude, just as cloud services were seen as the future of networking for most companies, the hybrid cloud is now seen as a natural evolution of this already potent business model. It creates a cloud environment that not only gives the company more control, but it allows for safer management overall. While it might still take effort and dedication to ensure that every process runs smoothly, everything worth doing always does.
Is the Hybrid Cloud the Future?
You need to take a number of factors into consideration before choosing a cloud solution. Public and private cloud services are both valuable for many applications. However, you might want to consider other options. The hybrid cloud is another alternative worth looking into.