What are the Benefits of Hybrid Cloud Services?

Taking Your Journey to An App Centric World

Hybrid Cloud Services - blended, cloud-based technologies - ease your transition from on-premise and legacy systems to cloud-based apps and Software-as-as-Service. 

Here, we set out the benefits and considerations of hybrid cloud.  

A hybrid model will help transport your organisation to the ultimate modern destination; a full app- driven environment. One benefit of hybrid cloud is that it's the gateway to virtually limitless options.

It enables greater choice and empowers you to select the right apps for your company, at a time that suits you.

Of course today’s start-ups aren't restricted by legacy, on-premise systems. They're already 100% cloud enabled and have no need of hybrid cloud. However, the reality for most established businesses is they're on the journey to the app economy and have still to exploit the advantages.

What are the Benefits of a Hybrid Cloud?

• Access to the newest technological innovations, which are frequently updated
• Growth and performance gains
• Slicker employee experiences
• Scalability; services that expand with your needs
• Cost benefits with the inclusion of other services, e.g. the growing list of applications available within an Office 365 SKU
• A more elastic financial model - a lower up-front investment, spreading the cost by moving from CAPEX to OPEX
• Integrated security and disaster recovery in some instances
• Reduced management for your IT team, freeing them to focus on improvements
• The gradual realisation of a common, interconnected data model, simplifying reporting

How Should You Approach Hybrid Cloud?

The route to our Adaptive Technology Model via hybrid cloud is within reach today, but it’s worth setting out the key considerations before fixing your coordinates. Don’t risk a big bang approach – this road is best taken with small steps. Think about:

• All constituent parts of your network
• Design – a strategy for what you want to achieve
• Knowledge - do your people have the necessary skills to support your move to a hybrid cloud model?
• Compatibility with existing legacy systems – how will they be supported?
• Connectivity - bandwidth is critical. If you're moving your service to a cloud environment, you must be able to access it in a predictable, stable way. This point is worth emphasising as nothing will frustrate your users more than no or slow access
• Data integrity and security
• Do you need to engage external expertise? 
• How the financing will work; we’ve mentioned a more flexible financial model, but your organisation should be clear and happy with this change
• Compliance – does the service meet your regulatory obligations and in-house policies?

Many cloud services come with a raft of security and data integrity technologies - far more than you could ever dream of on-premise. However, not all cloud services are equal. Make no assumptions and check the SLA carefully.  For example, we’ve helped clients who assumed disaster recovery and back up were included, when in fact they weren't.

You're on a journey to the app world. Our Adaptive Technology Model is a framework to help you navigate the myriad requirements your business needs to consider.

Creating an adaptable operating framework to support the speedy, seamless and secure implementation of web-based apps is no longer a concept for many organisations. 

The new world is integrated, scalable, flexible and simple for your users to operate, just how IT should be.

Click here to explore our Adaptive Technology Model Hub and discover other rich resources.