What is hybrid cloud hosting?
As the name suggests, hybrid cloud hosting is an integrated service using both private and public cloud with on-premises infrastructure. It involves mixed computing and storage facilities so specific functions within an organization can be performed more cost-efficiently. Technically, it integrates the benefits of both public and private clouds according to the individual requirements of the business. For example, employing a public cloud to handle all non-sensitive information while using a private one whenever greater data control and privacy is required. But most importantly, a hybrid cloud hosting service must ensure that all platforms are seamlessly integrated.
Why do companies opt for hybrid cloud hosting services?
Hybrid cloud adoption grew three times in one year (2016-17), increasing from 19% to 57%. It’s a preferred choice for many because of the various benefits it offers. Here is a glance at some of the characteristics that make hybrid cloud hosting different from the rest.
Meets individual requirements
The obvious benefit of hybrid cloud hosting is the ability to provide services that cater to the individual needs of the organization. It helps to reduce costs while promoting the business in the fast-moving digital medium. The result is a perfect combination of resources which allows the company to gain agility and maintain a competitive advantage.
More flexibility
Not everything belongs on the public cloud, but a private one can be too expensive. Therefore the hybrid approach provides the perfect solution, allowing applications and components to interoperate across boundaries. It permits the flow of data between on-premises and cloud data centers.
Progress at your own pace
The size of the business or budget constraints can influence a company’s initial plans. As the organization grows and expands, requirements can change. With hybrid cloud hosting services, companies have the opportunity to study options that match their requirements. A gradual approach to developing services will help meet data management needs.
Allows scalability
In continuation with the point above, hybrid models enable enterprises to match changing workloads. For instance, you opted for services that the company needed initially. Varying workloads or the need for increased security measures for sensitive data may force you to make alterations in plans.
Freedom to explore
Businesses need the opportunity to explore all avenues of growth. The hybrid cloud approach offers the freedom that many organizations need to explore different business models and new products. As the company grows and evolves, the changes must be absorbed by the development team.
Provides privacy
A company can reap the advantages of a private environment to build, develop, research, and test new software with having to reconstruct or rearrange IT resources or architecture.
More security options
Departments within a company may deal with confidential and sensitive data, such as payroll processors. They may require more security than what a public cloud hosting service offers. It allows organizations to store the information that needs to be protected on the private cloud while leveraging other resources on the public one.
Greater stability
Even the best cloud service providers have issues. For companies that need a service with the least amount of downtime possible, such as health care providers, having hybrid options promotes accessibility features. They are less influenced by network failures; certain aspects of the functions will still be able to be managed.
Faster speeds
Again, not all applications are suitable to run on a public cloud. Companies need to search for better, high-speed performance to reduce latency. Having certain functions on-site helps process high volumes of data at a faster speed while keeping response times to a minimum. This is especially beneficial for businesses which handle financial data or real-time analytics.
Cost-effective solution
In the IT world, it’s always about money- how to make more or how to use the current resource to obtain maximum efficiency. Companies need to balance the demands of the industry with services that they can provide to remain competitive. Investing in upgrading technology and maintaining ample storage space is essential. But if a data center is forced to perform too many tasks at once, the efficiency of the system takes a toll. Off-loading non-essential duties to cloud components can allow on-site resources to function optimally.
It appears that hybrid cloud hosting is the ultimate state that most businesses will operate on in the future. By enabling enterprises to use a broader mix of IT services, companies can manage additional workloads and the availability of storage options for database or archival services.
For many, it provides the opportunity to forego the cost of setting up the necessary equipment by handing over the responsibility to third parties like Cloudstack, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Rackspace, etc. The backend architecture relocates to a remote, virtual area, freeing up more on-site physical space. For many established companies, it is a way to streamline their operations. As the dynamic model of businesses is revolutionizing, it is only a matter of time before everyone comes on board. Those who do not stay in stride with the latest technological trends are at risk of falling behind. And needless to say, this competitive era does not slow down for anyone
