Hybrid? Yes - but how?

Hybrid systems are often a solution designed to combine the benefits of two concepts or technologies. IT combines the two architecture models of cloud and on-premises. Some of the IT infrastructure is moved to the cloud, while others are run in the own data center. Which applications should and should not migrate to the cloud is difficult to answer and raises a number of questions for those in charge. In Part 1 of this blog post, read about the benefits of the cloud, how to deal with the existing IT landscape, and how hybrid cloud can combine the benefits of both worlds.

Why the Cloud?

One thing is certain: today, nobody can avoid the cloud. Its high flexibility, scalability, efficiency and, above all, the abundance of services make it attractive and explains the growing number of companies that use or intend to use cloud services and platforms. Most companies already operate various applications and systems in their own or leased data centers or use collaborative applications as a SaaS solution (e.g. M365) in combination with local services and thus already have a de facto hybrid environment.

How to deal with the existing IT landscape?

One option is to migrate to the cloud with a “big bang”. Local data centres are first replaced by data centres in the cloud in order to then gradually optimise and introduce cloud-native applications. This can be an attractive solution, provided that all systems can actually be transferred to the cloud. Double cost structures are avoided and the entire IT infrastructure can be optimised quickly. However, some companies are reluctant or unable to take this uncompromising step. Often, certain applications, such as production systems, must remain on-site or legal requirements require that certain data be kept on-site. work with a hybrid architecture.

Combine the benefits of both worlds with hybrid cloud

A hybrid scenario offers many opportunities: the ability to scale better, provide services quickly and agilely worldwide, and leverage cloud-native capabilities. A high degree of automation and standardization is achieved, and data and applications need to be deployed locally in the data center.

However, hybrid models also bring a new level of complexity into play, as the architectures in the cloud and on-premises are fundamentally different. Not only are the technologies fundamentally different, but so are the operations. Where servers have to be procured, built and operated, it is essential to continuously optimize resources when operating cloud-based applications. This is the only way to manage costs optimally. Centralized management of operations across both architectures makes this task easier, but brings with it additional complexity.

You will soon find out more about this in the second part of this blog article and in the eBook “We Want Hybrid!”, which we are happy to make available to you free of charge.