Cloud computing nevertheless presents the single largest opportunity for Enterprise companies today. Though cloud-based alternatives have been around for more than 10 years now, the theories related to cloud continue to confuse many.
Of late, it seems that Hybrid Cloud and Multi-Cloud are the newest Theories creating confusion. The truth is that they're quite different. Multi-Cloud is with regard to orientation. One covers a continuum of different services while the other looks at the flat element of the cloud. There are pros and cons to every and they're not interchangeable.
Multi-Cloud: The horizontal aspect of cloud
Multi-Cloud is essentially the use of multiple cloud solutions within a single shipping tier. A frequent example is the usage of numerous Public Cloud providers. Enterprises generally use a multi-cloud strategy for one of three reasons:
Impact: Enterprise IT associations are usually risk-adverse. There are lots of reasons for this to be discussed at a later post. Fear of taking risks tends to notify several decisions including choice of cloud provider. 1 facet is the fear of lock-in to a single supplier. I dealt with my view lock-in here. By utilizing a multi-cloud strategy, an enterprise can market their risk across multiple suppliers. The drawback is that this system generates disputes together with integration, organizational abilities, and data transit.
Best of Breed: The second reason businesses typically utilize a multi-cloud plan is due to best of breed options. Not all solutions in one shipping tier offer the exact services. An enterprise might choose to use one supplier’s solution for a specific function and another provider’s solution for a different function. This strategy, while valuable in some respects, does generate complexity in several ways including integration, information transit, organizational abilities, and sprawl.
Evaluation: The next motive enterprises leverage a multi-cloud plan is comparatively temporary and is present for evaluation purposes. This third strategy is really a common strategy among enterprises today. Basically, it offers a way to assess different cloud providers in one shipping tier when they first begin. However, they eventually focus on a single provider and build expertise around that supplier’s solution.
In the end, I find the reasons that businesses choose one of the three approaches above is frequently informed by their adulthood and thinking around cloud generally. The question most ask is: Why do the upsides of the leverage or best of breed outweigh the drawbacks of sophistication?
Hybrid broadband: The vertical method of cloud
Most, if not all, enterprises are using a form of hybrid cloud today. Hybrid cloud identifies the perpendicular use of cloud from several different delivery tiers. Most typically, enterprises are using a SaaS-based solution and Public Cloud now. Some could also utilize Personal Cloud. Hybrid cloud doesn’t demand a single program spans the different delivery tiers.
The CIO Perspective
The important take away from this is to understand how you leverage Multi-cloud and/or Hybrid and not as much about specifying the conditions. Too frequently, we get wrapped up in specifying terms over knowing the benefits from leveraging the solution...or methodology. Even if talking outcomes, we frequently still center on technology.
Both of these approaches aren’t the exact same and come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The worth from Multi-Cloud along with Hybrid Cloud is that they both provide leverage for business conversion. The issue is: How can you leverage them for business advantage?