There’s no doubt that hybrid cloud planning is a complex process. Most companies enter the hybrid cloud space wanting the freedom of the open cloud and the security of the private cloud. In most cases – depending on whom you ask – regardless of a company’s size or infrastructural resources this is a win/win situation. However, planning out a hybrid cloud is another story altogether. You need to take into consideration issues related to security, infrastructural needs and a host of other concerns that are beyond the scope of this blog post. The important thing is that you’re ready for the challenges that lie ahead. In this post, we’ll attempt to prepare for your first steps in planning a hybrid cloud.
What is Hybrid Cloud Computing, exactly?
For the uninitiated, some folks aren’t so crazy about the public cloud. There are some security and stability issues that have arisen in the last few years in the cloud space. The big idea is that through a combination of open cloud services and in-house cloud-based data management solutions companies can reap the benefits of the open cloud without sacrificing security over stability. In other words, the hybrid cloud allows companies to maintain high levels of control over mission-critical data while keeping a much more open approach to less critical data in a public cloud.
Four Key Considerations for Hybrid Cloud Computing planning
- Get a Handle on IT Application needs – Planning on the IT level is a very complex conversation. Before you even start researching potential public cloud vs. private cloud vendors, you’ll need to gain a handle on what your organization needs on the application front. This means rightly dividing what applications are suitable for the public cloud, and what applications are best managed in-house. This means deciding how applications will be deployed. For instance you may need to look into new deployment technology. For instance, flash array technology tends to deliver a higher throughput for application access times. However you go about having this conversation, this is among the first phases in the planning process.
- Be honest about hybrid cloud implementation challenges – There’s a reason the public cloud has seen a growth explosion in recent years, and that’s because it’s fairly easy to set up and implement. The hybrid cloud is not the case. There are lots of hoops to jump through, and you need to be realistic about the challenges your organization will face in the implementation process.
- Factor in Management Tools – One of the most crucial aspects of hybrid cloud planning is determining how the cloud will be managed. A quality hybrid cloud management tool will place a high emphasis on resource provisioning and scalability. On-premise clouds usually have their own customizable management tools, while public clouds usually have built-in monitoring tools. Either way this is something you and your team will need to pre-determine.
- Ramp up Organizational Training – Odds are your IT staff is coming from different places in regards to hybrid cloud-centered skillsets. As you are planning, you have a perfect opportunity to train staff on key skillsets required to manage the hybrid cloud.
Conclusion
As you enter these complex planning conversations, it’s important to remember why you’re implementing a hybrid cloud solution into your infrastructure. The road ahead will not be easy, but your organization will reap the benefits of a more stable cloud in the long run.
About the author: Dawn Altnam works in the Midwest, and she enjoys following the business tech world. After furthering her education, she has spent some time researching her interests and blogging of her discoveries often.
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