Hybrid cloud technology

Many businesses are starting to realise that having all their data in the cloud may not be the best option.

Due to cyber-security concerns, many firms are migrating applications and data away from the public cloud in favour of a mix of on-premises and private cloud environments.

Hybrid cloud technology is therefore becoming a more popular solution. A hybrid cloud is a combination of on-premises and off-premises (or cloud-based) IT infrastructure platforms. The hybrid solution allows a business to run applications on multiple platforms. This increases efficiency and allows more flexibility as some software may only be available as a cloud based product.

In addition to allowing firms to choose the right platform for the right systems, a hybrid cloud platform can also create cost savings as well as improved IT performance. These days employees or even your customers may require a cloud based IT solution, however you may want to keep your company financials and client data on-premises, rather than in the cloud, in order to reduce cyber-risks.

Build a strong company culture

You need to build your firm’s culture around your company values and hire people who fit with those values. Encourage your staff to think outside the box, to try new things and to innovate. Engage your people in building a great place to work. Ask them for their ideas and empower them to implement those ideas.

Cloud based solutions also enable your team to be more productive.

If you create a firm and a culture that your staff are proud of, they will tell people about it. The more participation from your employees, the stronger your employer brand will be. You can help them to publicise your firm’s culture by creatiIt can be hard to access systems and files when out on the road. A hybrid cloud solution can allow your mobile team members to access the data they need when they are out and about – essential in today’s “always online” business environment.

In some ways, the shift to a hybrid cloud solution is a no-brainer. However, it does have its challenges. For example, your business may be used to working with a single, on-premises IT solution which is serviced by a single IT support company that looks after your network, your hardware and your various software systems.

Moving to a hybrid cloud solution may mean that your business needs to work with multiple external IT companies in order to support, manage and protect your on-premises and cloud-based systems. This adds complexity and needs to be carefully managed in order to make it work.
However, if you manage the implementation properly, your firm will benefit from having a more flexible IT infrastructure. As your business grows, you can use your cloud-based technology to scale up without the expense of buying in additional on-premises servers. This can also help you to keep your operational costs in check.