Hybrid Cloud infrastructure is a composition of on-premises data centers with private and/or public cloud services. Most organizations are seeking the type of flexibility and agility that on-premises data centers can no longer provide on their own merit. Hybrid cloud structure is increasingly becoming the key model to not only maintain applications and systems that can efficiently be shared anywhere but also ensure organizations can realize exponential growth.

Cloud-based services are frequently more cost effective, especially where enormous upfront costs of new data centers are concerned. On-premises data centers require capital expenditure on hardware, installation, software licensing, data backup, IT services, and more. With the cloud these upfront costs are reduced greatly and you instead pay monthly subscription fees that include updated software, security, and support. While cloud provider costs vary, with correct comparison shopping you will invariably save money with a cloud-based system. 

Cloud solutions do always require a fast and reliable internet connection. Without such a connection your access to everything can be cut off without warning. Another element to for many organizations that manage sensitive information is the requirement to store personal data like healthcare information, credit card numbers, etc. in on-premise datacenters instead of the cloud, due to strict security and legal rules regarding personal data protection. This is where on-premises systems prove effective and a must, with data backup and certain core systems feeding to in-office workers outside the cloud, and personal data being stored on-prem. However, the prevalence of remote work, mobile access, and outsourced partnerships requires that a solid cloud platform be woven into the functionality of your organization in order to remain operational and competitive.

Agility and scalability are major considerations when it comes to any cloud model. Cloud services support fast-moving digital transformation, the adaptability ideal of changing direction quickly, and the omnipresent need to scale up to accommodate growth (or to scale down temporarily in certain areas, as was realized in the early days of the pandemic). With cloud services these traits are innate: cloud is flexible and nearly limitless in terms of growth and adjustment potential. They are infinitely more flexible than a solely on-premises solution and key when it comes to any global expansion. The hybrid model suggests a combination of public and private cloud services to achieve this.

Public cloud, such as AWS or Azure, offer a wide array of digital assets in which you are not limited to existing platform capabilities. Their on-demand resources are almost unlimited and because they are distributed across a variety of the host’s data centers in many geographies across the globe, they are reliable and a cost-saving way to support your data replication and disaster recovery plans. In comparison, private cloud allows you to retain control over the security of certain aspects of data and applications behind your own firewall. Still relatively flexible and agile, they are private to your own organization and can be located on-premises or hosted by a third-party service provider. A strategic combination of both public and private cloud services along with certain on-premises functions is what comprises the hybrid cloud model.

A key advantage to cloud solutions of any kind is that they can be adopted gradually so you are able to plan your overall hybrid approach to best suit your organization’s needs and deploy the solutions carefully. What will work best for your remote teams and mobile access? What will best allow for the growth you forecast in your future? What affords the best security while maintaining flexibility? These are the questions your organization should evaluate based on your own business, legal, and technical requirements, when considering a hybrid cloud model.  To learn more about how Dura Digital can help you with your cloud and digital transformation needs, contact us today.