Are you considering moving some of your on-premises workloads to the cloud? Many organizations are migrating to hybrid cloud environments. This allows them to enjoy the benefits of the cloud while continuing to leverage existing datacenter investments. Here are some of the reasons companies are opting to operate in hybrid cloud environments and the steps you should take to create a hybrid cloud strategy and ensure a successful hybrid cloud migration.
Why Are Companies Opting for Hybrid Cloud Environments?
Hybrid work is becoming the norm. While most companies have adapted operational processes to thrive in this new work environment, IT teams have not been able to keep up. Citrix found that 29 percent of IT professionals consider managing the pace of digital acceleration with cybersecurity investment a top priority. This management is increasingly important for companies that wish to remain secure while reaping the benefits of running a hybrid work environment. Taking on a hybrid cloud approach to deliver virtual apps and desktops to users anywhere has been imperative for organizations looking to accelerate their digital transformation while still being secure. Here are four of the benefits that companies can enjoy should they successfully conduct a hybrid cloud migration.
Agility
Technology progresses extremely quickly. This means that processes and clouds that are considered efficient today might not be considered so in the near future. A hybrid cloud environment empowers decision makers and IT teams to host infrastructure where they choose, adapt quickly, and port processes over to cheaper, faster, and more efficient clouds, should the opportunity or need arise, without much fuss.
Scalability
Hybrid cloud structures are highly scalable and adaptable to the needs of each company and their unique processes. Some applications have unpredictable workloads and demands while others might have specialized needs that can only be served by specific cloud models. A hybrid cloud structure allows companies to scale processes with the appropriate cloud structure and develop models that meet each application’s needs while keeping costs reasonably low.
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Security
Many industry leaders have recognized hybrid cloud models as the most secure cloud option available to them. Organizations that have specific compliance requirements to meet when they collect customer data can store that information on-premises or within highly secure and tightly governed cloud environments, while less sensitive operational data can be kept within highly efficient public cloud environments.
Integration
Each application an organization uses has a preferred cloud environment it is optimized for. This means companies that use many applications are sometimes forced to accept lower performance returns in exchange for interoperability between applications. With a hybrid cloud infrastructure, companies can overcome this challenge by allowing applications to run in their preferred environments while keeping interoperability through custom integration layers.
Why Begin a Hybrid Cloud Migration? Hybrid Cloud Use Cases
The benefits of hybrid cloud are well known among industry leaders, but it is also important for smaller organizations to understand when they should begin a hybrid cloud migration. Here are some common use cases for which it would be appropriate to use hybrid cloud.
Dynamic Workloads
Fast growing organizations usually have highly dynamic workloads and operational processes. Access to a public cloud allows organizations to retain scalability and agility while sensitive processes are safely conducted within a regulated private cloud environment. A hybrid cloud structure gives companies the flexibility to keep up with changing workloads and the security to ensure that sensitive customer and operational data are kept safe within a tightly secured environment.
Big Data
Organizations periodically run big data operations or analytics to improve marketing, customer service, improve operations, and more. These analyses often require information from multiple sources to be brought together. However, the scale of information and the requirement for security makes any single cloud environment inappropriate for use. These seemingly contradictory requirements can be met within a hybrid cloud environment. Integrations can provide business leaders with a holistic view of business information while hybrid cloud resources can help them retain security and scalability to meet their unique needs.
Staged Migrations
Businesses often have evolving needs that must be evaluated periodically. As IT teams become increasingly responsible for implementation, vendor evaluation, and purchasing, it is important that they keep the flexibility to adjust cloud structures should business teams need it. A hybrid cloud environment allows businesses to conduct regular evaluations to decide if their choice of cloud services can meet their needs — and change their chosen configuration if the need arises.
Compliance Requirements for Data Security
Public cloud resources are easily accessible and appropriate for many applications that businesses run. However, businesses that deal with sensitive customer or operational information may choose to keep that data within highly regulated private cloud environments. This is why it is important for these organizations to operate within a hybrid cloud environment.
Having the Best of Both Worlds
Public and private clouds come with vastly different and highly specific benefits for their customers. However, business needs are consistently evolving. Hybrid cloud gives businesses the flexibility to access those benefits, as necessary. The hybrid approach allows organizations to pick and choose the elements of each cloud environment that work best for individual applications within their operation.
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How to Plan a Hybrid Cloud Migration: 6 Steps
When an organization decides to create a hybrid cloud strategy and migrate to a hybrid cloud environment, it implies extending the internal workloads into an environment that is not theirs — so there is a need to consider the policies and conditions of an infrastructure provided by the cloud vendor that you cannot control. The hybrid cloud works — but you need to prepare for the migration. These six steps can help you enjoy a smooth transition.
Decide Which is the Right Hybrid Cloud Strategy for You
The first step in conducting a successful cloud migration is determining how each team will achieve their goals. Each application can be rehosted, revised, or rebuilt entirely depending on the extent to which it can meet the organization’s needs. There are many factors, including cost and efficiency. Each migration approach can have wildly different resource needs so each business must decide which approach suits them best.
Define Which Applications Are Ready for a Hybrid Cloud Migration
Organizations use multiple applications in their regular operations. Each application has a different level of complexity and will need different integrations before being migrated to the cloud. Teams must decide how many components of each application are ready to be ported to the cloud and plan the extent to which each application is ready for migration.
Decide Which Applications and Internal Teams You Will Move
Applications and processes are designed to empower team members to perform at their best. Some teams, like Marketing or Development, might be ready for their workloads to move to cloud to take advantage of the flexibility. Additionally, certain applications that are critical to daily operations and whose team members work remotely should be moved to the cloud first to minimize disruption. This can also be the beginning of a staged and incremental migration to the cloud.
Consider What Data to Store On-Premises and in the Cloud
Every company has different datasets that must be handled differently. Some information requires added security while other kinds must be ready for constant analysis. In either case, business teams must decide which data will be kept on premises and which data is primed to be moved to the cloud.
Ensure a Reliable Network Connection for Your Hybrid Cloud Migration
Cloud environments of any type rely on a consistent and reliable network connection to deliver access to information by key stakeholders. To ensure that employees can reap the benefits of a cloud environment with minimal disruption and downtime, business leaders must ensure access to a regular and reliable network connection.
Monitor and Analyze Key Metrics Regularly
The flexibility of hybrid cloud allows business teams to pivot and adjust their strategy if their objectives are not being met. This is why it is important for businesses to consistently and regularly evaluate key metrics when they decide to choose a particular cloud configuration to use.
How Citrix Simplifies Creating the Hybrid Cloud Environment That Works Best for Your Business
Citrix DaaS makes it easy for companies undergoing digital transformation to choose, implement, and begin a successful hybrid cloud migration. As more workers choose to work remotely, businesses must adapt to the security and operational challenges that come with the new work environment. A pioneer in the space, Citrix has over 30 years of experience in virtual applications and desktops. The result of this experience is a well-optimized and highly versatile DaaS and VDI solutions that are built with the needs of modern workplaces in mind.
Learn more about how Citrix can help your company create a safe and productive hybrid cloud environment.
