For anyone who reads the Markley Group blog with any regularity knows that we are advocates for the benefits that the cloud – particularly hybrid cloud – can bring to organizations of all sizes that are looking for a reliable, flexible, cost effective data storage solution. According to Gartner’s recent 2015 CIO Survey, however, only a minority of surveyed executives consider public cloud as a first choice when upgrading existing infrastructure and operations. Furthermore, the report finds that many organizations are resorting to “cloud washing” techniques, which is simply the rebranding of old services with “cloud” wording, to avoid committing to a true cloud-based solution.
And the report doesn’t stop there. Results reveal that nine percent of users are not even considering cloud computing for software-as-a-service (SaaS) projects and only 15 percent are considering the cloud for infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) projects.
While the report isn’t all doom-and-gloom for public cloud offerings, as nearly 50 percent of CIOs view cloud as a viable option for new projects, I can’t help but think: has the public cloud had its moment? Are CIOs and executive teams finally getting savvy to the superior benefits delivered by a combination of on-premise infrastructure and off-premise cloud solutions (i.e. hybrid cloud)?
If your organization is looking to upgrade your organization’s IT environment, hybrid cloud is a great option. Here are my top reasons why:
Easy expansion – as your company and data grows, using the cloud, alongside traditional on-premise storage infrastructure, makes sense. You can scale and add additional storage as you need it, without having hardware costs added on unless absolutely necessary.
Accessibility – with the cloud, your critical data can be accessed from anywhere, at any time, while maintaining control over your physical infrastructure and network. You can get data and information on your own terms, while achieving the highest levels of security.
Protection – with cloud storage, your critical information is protected and backed up. If something happens to your on-site operations, such as a natural disaster that impacts your own equipment and hardware, you still have your information saved in the cloud and can quickly get your data back.
Expenses and Hidden Costs – one of the biggest issues with the cloud is unforeseen or unexpected uploading and downloading costs. Many people don’t realize how expensive it can be to access your own data! With a hybrid cloud you can tier your data to ensure the information you access most often is stored via on-premise solutions and data that is accessed less often is stored on the cloud.
Regulatory Compliance – know what data you’re storing and what regulations need to be complied with. For some organizations – especially those in the healthcare and financial services industries – having both on-site infrastructure and the cloud ensures that all important regulations and rules can be complied with.
So while I don’t expect the total demise of public cloud offerings anytime soon – there will always be a need for them, particularly for individual use – I predict this report is likely more of a reflection of the shift in enterprise expectations, which places value on flexible offerings that can be tailored and customized to fit the needs of each organization.
Still unsure of whether the hybrid cloud is the best solution for your organization’s data storage needs? Read my recent blog for a comprehensive hybrid cloud checklist.
