What is a multi-cloud?
Multi-cloud is a cloud-based system that uses cloud computing resources from multiple providers to improve business efficiencies and costs in a single cloud solution.
A multi-cloud system usually involves a combination of different types of public clouds and private clouds for their cloud assets, software, and applications to eliminate the reliance on a single cloud-hosting provider.
For example, your business may choose to use a cloud provider for its hardware requirements and another to meet your software requirements. Your business could also benefit from using multiple cloud providers to store data and assets on one, while using another to backup your information.
A multi-cloud strategy offers the flexibility to choose how you use a multi-cloud system to meet your business requirements whilst accessing the features of multiple cloud providers.
This article will focus on the benefits of incorporating a multi-cloud strategy into your business and examine the challenges to be aware of when integrating this system into your business architecture.
Are multi-clouds and hybrid clouds the same?
Multi-clouds and hybrid clouds are two distinctly different cloud solutions, but they do share some similarities.
For instance, hybrid cloud uses only one public and only one private cloud, while multi-cloud utilises several public clouds and one or more private clouds.
While a multi-cloud is considered a single cloud-based system, its structure is more complex as there are multiple service providers and platforms.
Benefits of a multi-cloud strategy for business
There are several reasons why you might consider multi-cloud integration in your business.
- Manage costs more effectively by using the multi-cloud’s “pay-as-you-go” model, which means you only pay for the services you use
- Multi-cloud provides security for your data and assets against security threats if setup correctly
- If one system becomes unavailable, other systems will remain online, improving your operational efficiency
- With a multi-cloud strategy, you have the flexibility to choose the providers that offer the best services for your business
- Reduce the burdens of hardware, software, maintenance, and support by outsourcing some or all your on-premises infrastructure to service providers
Multi-cloud integration challenges
Multi-cloud integration can be complicated and involve more than just managing resources, services, and providers. Here are some examples.
- Managing your data on multiple cloud systems can be challenging, with multiple systems this creates more opportunities for things to go wrong
- Each platform requires a slightly different skillset which may require hiring additional team members or upskilling current staff
- If you find a more suitable deal with another provider, it can sometimes be difficult to switch
- Using multiple cloud providers means its more important than ever to ensure appropriate levels of security are put in place on each platform
But don’t let these challenges scare you. They are all things that can be managed with the right process in place. For a good quality IT service provider, addressing these challenges is just part of the service.
How to choose the right cloud system for your business
When to choose a multi-cloud strategy
You should consider a multi-cloud strategy if you require the services, resources, infrastructure, or cost packages that are only supplied by specific cloud providers.
When to choose a hybrid cloud strategy
You should consider a hybrid cloud strategy if your business needs the benefits of cloud services and choses to store some data and assets locally. It can also be the case that some industries are required by law to hold private data or assets locally as well.
While there might be specific reasons for considering one cloud solution over another, there is no “best cloud solution” on the market.
It is important to understand the features, benefits, and challenges of each cloud system you are considering. This will help you determine which platform will best fulfil your business needs.
Multi-cloud managed services
As we’ve pointed out above, there can be several challenges when deploying a multi-cloud approach in your business. Multi-cloud managed services take the headache out of managing several cloud platforms and helps you to keep track of your data.
A good managed service provider will also recommend cloud solutions that can grow with your business. At the end of the day cloud-based systems are supposed to improve business efficiencies, not make your business harder to run with unnecessary and complicated systems.
Step one is choosing the right system so why not hand this responsibility to the professionals?
Challenges of multi-cloud management for business
Multi-cloud management can be difficult for businesses as they face the challenge of supporting both existing applications and the release of new products and features across multiple cloud environments.
- Using a multi-cloud system means incorporating several different service providers, each with their own processes and technology
- There can be difficulties balancing your data across different clouds, especially with how closely the clouds are integrated, how often multiple clouds need to interact, and if the data storage centres are very far apart geographically
- As a business, you must prepare contingency plans in case of network and provider disruption
- You must understand the impacts of malicious cyber-attacks on you and your cloud providers as the more pieces of software and hardware you integrate, the more vulnerabilities there will likely be
Multi-cloud networking needs to evolve
Cloud-based systems have created both opportunities and challenges for businesses, especially when it comes to cloud networking. With organisations transitioning to multi-cloud systems, some businesses are struggling to integrate their resources and need more effective ways to connect their public and private cloud data together in one seamless system.
Currently, multi-cloud networking methods are slow, complex, and costly with high ongoing operational expenses involved. Public and private clouds may offer similar capabilities for multi-cloud networking but still operate differently, hence the challenge of incorporating both types of clouds into a multi-cloud system. This can mean businesses need to employ cloud networking experts and invest in technology training.
Don’t let this stop you from considering multi-cloud as a solution for your business. As we’ve pointed out, there are both benefits and challenges to using a multi-cloud approach in your business and its important to consider all factors to determine whether multi-cloud is right for you. As with all technology, multi-cloud solutions will evolve and become more efficient as new technologies arise.
Is a multi-cloud approach right for you?
Cloud-based systems have created both opportunities and challenges for businesses, especially when it comes to cloud networking. With organisations transitioning to multi-cloud systems, some businesses are struggling to integrate their resources and need more effective ways to connect their public and private cloud data together in one seamless system.
Currently, multi-cloud networking methods are slow, complex, and costly with high ongoing operational expenses involved. Public and private clouds may offer similar capabilities for multi-cloud networking but still operate differently, hence the challenge of incorporating both types of clouds into a multi-cloud system. This can mean businesses need to employ cloud networking experts and invest in technology training.
Don’t let this stop you from considering multi-cloud as a solution for your business. As we’ve pointed out, there are both benefits and challenges to using a multi-cloud approach in your business and its important to consider all factors to determine whether multi-cloud is right for you. As with all technology, multi-cloud solutions will evolve and become more efficient as new technologies arise.
Is a multi-cloud approach right for you?
Under the right situations, a multi-cloud strategy can improve your business’s performance, reliability, and security, but under the wrong conditions, the result can be quite different.
A multi-cloud approach isn’t necessarily the best fit for every business. Its suitability will depend on your business priorities, resources, and technology requirements.
Ensure you consider the benefits and challenges of both a multi-cloud approach as well as the other cloud solutions available to select a model that is best suited to you.
If you want to learn how a multi-cloud solution can work for your business, get in touch with the experts at Domain Digital who are happy to answer your questions, or visit our Cloud Solutions page.