With the advent of cloud computing, businesses have more options than ever before when it comes to IT infrastructure. Results show that an investment in hybrid IT cloud solutions can lead to increased agility, security, collaboration, and cost savings for businesses. If your business is still using onsite infrastructure, you may be missing out on the benefits of a hybrid IT cloud solution. These combine the best of both on-premises and cloud-based technology.

Deciding on the best option for your business will involve looking at your particular profile and existing capabilities. Before you select a cloud service provider, it's important to ask the right questions so you can find a solution that fits your needs, budget, and timeline.

Location Matters

Hybrid cloud solutions aren’t for every business, but they do tend to bridge many of the gaps faced by those who cannot outsource entirely. If you have complex compliance requirements, an onshore option might be best. Meanwhile, a nearshore or offshore solution might be a better fit if you're looking for the most cost-effective option.

But for those who need a high level of security or customizability under budget constraints, a hybrid solution might be the way to go. The hybrid model will also allow you to enjoy some of the same cost-savings of solutions that are entirely offshore and nearshore operated. As an added bonus, nearshore hybrid solutions offer less disconnect over time zones, which can be essential for projects that need a high level of responsiveness and quick turnaround time.

Application Needs

How much control do you want over your data and applications? If you require a high degree of control, then a private cloud solution may be the best option. If you're okay with sharing resources and giving up some control, then a hybrid cloud solution might be right for you.

A private cloud is one owned and operated by a single organization. This gives the organization a high degree of control over the data and applications. It also means that the organization is responsible for all of the maintenance and upkeep, which can be a drawback, especially for small to medium sized businesses. Private clouds can be expensive to set up and manage, so the hybrid route may be ideal if your budget requires some concessions.

Implementation Timeline

How quickly you need to get your applications and data up and running in the cloud can shape the direction you take. If you're looking for a quick solution, then a public cloud solution will be the fastest option, though hybrid cloud setup can also be done quickly if coordinated well. The wait will certainly be a bit longer for a private cloud solution, which could take significantly more time to launch.

Essentially, time-constrained projects are ideal for hybrid IT cloud implementation. With a hybrid cloud setup, you can keep your most sensitive applications and data on-premises while leveraging the public cloud for less critical workloads. This gives you the best of both worlds: the speed of the public cloud with the security of a private cloud.

Weighing The Pros and Cons

One of the biggest advantages of a hybrid IT cloud solution is that it allows you to take advantage of the economies of scale offered by public clouds while still maintaining control over your most critical applications and data. This can be helpful if you have sensitive data that you don't want to entrust to a third-party cloud provider or if you have legacy applications that aren't compatible with a cloud-based infrastructure. A hybrid IT cloud solution also gives you the ability to leverage hybrid capabilities such as backup, disaster recovery, and cross-region deployments.

There are some disadvantages to consider as well. One is that a hybrid IT cloud solution can be more complex and expensive to manage than a pure on-premises or pure cloud solution. Another disadvantage is that not all applications or data are suited for a hybrid environment. You'll need to carefully consider the needs of your business, but hybrid cloud solutions are worth exploring as a promising and rewarding option for many firms.

Learn More About The Cloud

You can download Aditi's Increase Confidence in the Cloud white paper to learn more about the state of cloud adoption, and the impact this can have on business security and success. Don't wait to start your own digital transformation.

Have any questions about IT cloud services? Get in touch with Aditi Consulting. We offer a variety of IT cloud services, and can implement research and solutions under your direction or ours. Contact us today to learn more.