IT Innovators: Is The Hybrid Cloud Too Complex?

It’s time once again to examine a myth about the hybrid cloud. Last time we talked about cost. This week I’d like to turn your attention to the issue of complexity and attempt to answer the question: Is the hybrid cloud too complex?

It’s a fair question; after all, we are essentially talking about a solution that involves two distinct components—a public cloud and a private one—and those components have to be effectively managed to get the most out of the approach. That management might not be so difficult if you purchase your hybrid cloud solution from an individual cloud provider who makes sure both components will work well together. Even if you chose to use an integrated solution that say, utilizes a public cloud from one provider and a private cloud from another, presumably both providers have worked together to smooth out any issues between their solutions. And that means management of the hybrid cloud solution should be; well, more manageable.

But what if you happen to be an organization that maintains a private cloud and you sign up for a public cloud service? Clearly, you would need to integrate it into your existing infrastructure and then you would have to turn your attention to managing the two solutions. Depending on the tools you use, that could be a fairly complex undertaking,

It’s a fact that the more hybridized a solution becomes, the more complex it will be. However, in the grand scheme of things, it’s all relative. Compared to a multi-cloud solution, a hybrid cloud can be much less complex. By the same token, a hybrid cloud solution is inherently more complex than just a public or private cloud one alone. But that increased complexity has to be weighed against the benefits you gain by using a hybrid cloud solution, rather than just a public or private cloud on its own. Those benefits are undeniable—speed, scalability and security—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Ultimately, it might just be a smarter business decision to take on the added complexity. The trick is ensuring you have the right management tools in place to mitigate it. A prime example of one such tool can be found here.

For a free webcast on mastering the complexity of the hybrid cloud go here. You might also want to check out an excellent blog from Charlie Dai of Forrester Research on what you can learn from leading Chinese firms when it comes to managing the complexity of the hybrid cloud. In the meantime, be sure to check back here each week for more information on the hybrid cloud and other important IT-related topics.

This blog is sponsored by Microsoft.

Cheryl J. Ajluni is a freelance writer and editor based in California. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Wireless Systems Design and served as the EDA/Advanced Technology editor for Electronic Design for over 10 years. She is also a published book author and patented engineer. Her work regularly appears in print and online publications. Contact her at [email protected] with your comments or story ideas.