Cloud computing holds great promise for the future of information technology (IT). As the technology matures and the install base grows, more businesses are choosing to mix on-premise and cloud environments to create a “hybrid infrastructure.”
Demystifying Hybrid Infrastructure
Most businesses are finding their existing IT infrastructure is not suitable to move to the cloud entirely. Issues with bandwidth, latency, and compatibility have made many companies realize that often, moving everything into the cloud isn’t the best solution. This requires businesses to do some advanced planning to maximize the benefits of the cloud. Here are some things to consider:
Analyze Current Infrastructure
What applications does your business rely on to function day-by-day? How does it handle sales, marketing, ordering, shipping and receiving, research and design workloads? How do your employees interact with clients, colleagues, and suppliers? How is data stored, where is it stored and how is it backed up? Of all these applications, which will provide benefits if moved to the cloud? These answers to these questions will help your businesses plan to make the move from on-premise to hybrid infrastructure or, possibly, in the long-term, from hybrid to a fully managed cloud.
Consider Bandwidth and Latency
Different programs handle data in different ways. Sometimes the data that flows to the end-user device is in small increments. Other times, a large amount of data must be sent to the user’s device(s) often and quickly. Bandwidth matters, of course: a large data pipe can move more than a smaller one. If large amounts of data need to traverse long distances, latency will degrade the user experience and impact productivity and responsiveness.
Consider Reliability and Redundancy
The more your business relies on singular data connections, the greater effect an internet-down event will have. Connection schemes should be designed with reliability in mind. It should be set up for a quick fail-over if the primary circuit ever has problems. Of course, this is a good argument to have assets already in the cloud. If the office connection goes down for any reason, many businesses can have people work remotely.
The advantages of cloud computing are real, but it takes careful planning to fully realize the benefits. Choose the cloud strategy that provides the most benefit for your business with a trusted partner. Clare Computer Solutions can help you migrate appropriate workloads to the cloud. Contact us today to get started.
