IT Innovators: Mitigating Hybrid Cloud Complexity With a Platform Approach

Not that long ago I wrote a blog on the complexity of the hybrid cloud and how for some people that complexity has been one of its big drawbacks. In truth, the hybrid cloud is a “hybridized” solution comprising both a public and private component, and that definitely makes it more complex that say, just a private or public cloud alone.

For some, that added complexity is well worth undertaking because of the benefits that come with it; namely, speed, scalability and security. But what about those who still see complexity as a big stumbling block for hybrid cloud adoption? Is there a way to garner the benefits of the hybrid cloud while minimizing its complexity?

One answer might lie in the type of solution you chose. For example, rather than using a public cloud from one vendor and a private cloud from another, you might instead seek out a hybrid cloud platform—one that provides consistency across hybrid environments, that is, private, hosted and public clouds.

What exactly is a hybrid cloud platform? Essentially, it’s a comprehensive platform for hosting business applications that’s built on a standardized architecture and shared across the various hybrid environments. Those environments share the same portal, unified application model and common DevOps tools. Using the platform, organizations can leverage cloud services to quickly and easily scale when needed without having to give up control of their datacenter. And, they can decide where they want their data and applications to reside (e.g., in their datacenter or with a hosting service provider). The flexibility gives organizations more control and enables them to more effectively address whatever their specific business and technical needs might be.

But what about application developers and other IT professionals? What does a hybrid cloud platform offer them? The main advantage is that they gain access to a rich ecosystem, which makes them more productive and allows them to do more things. Application developers, for example, are free to create applications that can run both on the private and public cloud, while IT professionals can more quickly deliver services to their business while maintaining oversight.

If you think the idea of a hybrid cloud platform sounds appealing, check out a prime example of one here or watch a webcast on the platform. The platform is a proven hyper-scale public cloud that’s been extended to private and hosted clouds. In the meantime, if you want to weigh in on this discussion, send me your thoughts at [email protected]. And be sure to check back here next 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.