Multi-cloud: you may think it's a buzzword, but nothing could be further from the truth. More and more companies are opting for multi-cloud. We take a brief look at the benefits it brings them.
Multi-cloud: what is it actually? It is in any case not the same as hybrid cloud, as is sometimes thought. With hybrid cloud, a company combines private cloud (on-premises or external) with public cloud in a single hybrid environment. Multi-cloud means that you work with separate cloud environments from several providers. It is therefore perfectly possible to evolve from multi-cloud to hybrid cloud – one of the immediate benefits of a multi-cloud strategy.
Avoid vendor lock-in
Another big plus of multi-cloud is that it does not make you dependent on one cloud provider. You are not putting all your eggs in one basket, so you have more flexibility and a firm grip on the controls. This means you avoid a so-called 'vendor lock-in’ where it becomes almost impossible, practically and financially, to leave your provider.
Customised performance and service
In addition, with multi-cloud you have the big advantage that you can differentiate your cloud environment according to the different workloads. Security and other functions – with their associated price tag – help determine where you host an application. If your multi-cloud environment is also a hybrid cloud, then you keep certain applications in a private cloud and others in a public cloud. Heavy big data applications such as SAP HANA , for example, can be run entirely or partially locally so that there is certainly no delay in the data traffic.
Additional security and flexibility
Any more benefits of multi-cloud? You also spread the risks, so you have additional options for failover and disaster recovery. Your defence against cyber attacks will be stronger as well. Nevertheless, according to most experts, flexibility and agility remain the key benefits because they enable you to innovate even faster.
The management of a multi-cloud
The advantages are obvious but the stumbling block of multi-cloud is the management. It is quite complex managing such a mix-and-match cloud. Companies that want to do this on their own should have an IT organisation that has experience with cloud management, including the optimisation of workloads and the use of cloud management tools.
Bringing in an external cloud partner
If you do not have the right knowledge in-house, it would be better to call in an external managed service provider (MSP). In any case, since a multi-cloud environment involves working with multiple vendors, your IT partner for your multi-cloud strategy should be vendor-neutral.
Cheops Cloud at Hubo
Discover why Hubo opts for security and flexibility with the Cheops Cloud