The hybrid cloud environment opens up new doors for growth. But with new doors opening up, a new series of challenges inevitably emerge. If your business is considering a hybrid cloud model to boost productivity, flexibility, and mobility, you need to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks before you can decide on what’s ideal for your business. No need to fear; we’re here to make sure you have all of the information you need to take your operations to the next level by leveraging the cloud platforms at your disposal.

 

Let’s start by clarifying what we mean when we use the term hybrid cloud. A hybrid cloud service delivers a network and computing environment that utilizes a mix of on-site network infrastructure, private cloud services, and public cloud resources. Because the perfect balance of cloud services is going to vary depending on your needs and operations, the optimal hybrid platform will look different for every business. To better understand what this balance may look like for your business, here are three key benefits and three drawbacks to moving towards hybrid cloud computing.

 

Benefits

 

  1. Increased Security: Despite being perceived as a less secure option, the cloud environment is actually more secure than your on-site servers. Your on-premises resources are more at risk of attack than your cloud resources. By transitioning critical computing resources to the cloud, you’re improving the overall security of your data. All of your operations and data that rely on cloud infrastructures stay protected in the event of on-site attacks and disasters.
  2. Improved Mobility: Operating on the cloud means that your team will be able to access data and applications on your private and public cloud services from anywhere with an internet connection. With a cloud platform, the world becomes your office space, allowing your team to be productive whether they’re in the office, on the road, or visiting a client’s facility.
  3. A More Flexible Environment: A mix of cloud solution and on-site resources allows your business to quickly scale up or down depending on what you need. You typically only pay for the additional cloud resources you use, so you can reduce overhead costs by never having to worry about paying for more than you need or the high up-front costs of infrastructure upgrades.

 

Drawbacks

 

While the benefits of operating on the cloud can benefit almost any business, you also have to be aware of some challenges like:

 

  1. Steep Learning Curves: Streamlining a hybrid cloud solution requires a unique set of skills and tools. You may need to consider hiring individuals who specialize in cloud solutions. Your business can also consider outsourcing your hybrid cloud altogether with a [managed service provider].
  2. Integration Issues: When you have on-site resources interacting with cloud services, you need to formulate a management platform that guarantees the integration of every aspect of your network. It can be a challenge to ensure that your data, applications, and network continue operating in unison.
  3. Compatibility Concerns: Compatibility is also a common challenge as your business transitions to the cloud. With ongoing upgrades, patches, and updates, compatibility issues can bring your network to a standstill. Ensuring that your on-site servers, public cloud provider, and private cloud system are able to work together is critical to ensure you’re maximizing your potential on the cloud.

 

If your business is ready to explore what a hybrid cloud solution might look like for your business operations, contact the experts at Willow Bend Systems today.