There’s so much buzz around cloud computing, cloud storage and cloud networking that many business leaders may assume that everything that can possibly be migrated to the cloud should be, and quickly. As enterprises begin shifting to the cloud, they often find there are a few reasons why private cloud isn’t always ideal, and that a hybrid cloud solution may be the better fit.
There are many advantages to a private cloud solution, including better security, because your data is housed in its own server and you aren’t sharing space with other organizations. You also have better control and the ability to customize the solution to fit your exact needs.
However, there are also drawbacks to choosing a private cloud solution. The most critical is the higher cost when compared to public cloud solutions. Private cloud means you’re paying for the entire cost of the storage, power and servers. You also lose out on the computing power and access to a variety of integrated solutions that are available with public cloud.
Often, enterprises opt for a hybrid cloud solution that allows them to optimize costs and performance while making the most of cloud tools for goals like better productivity and an improved customer experience.
How do enterprises determine which workloads to place in each environment? In general, an enterprise needs to understand its applications and which are critical for business processes. Small applications, or those that don’t have a lot of integration with other systems, may be good choices for deployment to the cloud. Enterprises also take into account the sensitivity of their data and tend to place less-critical data in the cloud for a start.
Connectivity also plays a big role in how you should decide where to place workloads between private or public cloud. Enterprises often opt for a virtual private network (VPN) that is available as a service through the major cloud providers. A VPN utilizes secure pathways to connect to virtual machines in the cloud, as well as applications, and essentially extends the private cloud center. Not only does your enterprise enjoy dedicated connectivity with a VPN, but you also have the opportunity to deploy software for monitoring and ensuring a high level of security for the hybrid environment.
If your enterprise is interested in being on the cutting edge of your industry, then you should consider a hybrid cloud solution. You’ll get the cost savings of public cloud and the latest software, as well as the security of private cloud.
If you’d like to know more about how to select the right mix of private and public cloud solutions for your enterprise, contact us at eXemplify. While there’s no one combination that fits all enterprises the same way, we can walk you through some of the considerations you should include in your decision.