Five crucial hybrid cloud questions to ask

When evaluating cloud services there are three types of cloud platforms to choose from.  The first is the public cloud, in which apps and data are hosted in data centers managed by providers like Microsoft and Amazon. Another option is the private cloud, which is hosted in a remote or in-house data center where you own or rent the servers.

The third option presents a mix of the two — the hybrid cloud. This approach provides the best of both, but it’s also inherently more complex. To ensure a successful digital transformation, you should ask the following hybrid cloud questions of any potential hybrid cloud provider:

1. Do you understand our industry?

One of the most common red flags to look out for when evaluating potential cloud providers is a company with limited industry-specific expertise. Every business faces a unique set of challenges when it comes to compliance, security, and computing workloads. It’s essential to work with a provider who has experience working with companies in your industry because they'll be able to deploy a hybrid cloud infrastructure that meets your requirements.

2. Can you scale with our demands?

An oft-cited benefit of cloud computing is scalability. By outsourcing your computing workloads on a subscription basis, you’ll have access to enterprise-level resources. However, hybrid cloud solutions often come with scalability limitations, which is why you’ll need to choose a provider who’s prepared to satisfy your company’s growing demands.

3. What is your uptime and support record?

Another benefit of migrating to the cloud is that it comes with disaster recovery and proactive care. Any reputable IT provider should be able to demonstrate an exceptional track record when it comes to service uptime and customer support. At the very least, they should be available 24/7, and their service level agreements (SLAs) should clearly state uptime minimums.

4. How secure are your data centers?

Security remains at the forefront of most business leaders’ minds when migrating to a hosted computing environment. A dependable IT provider should have access to best-in-class security and compliance controls. This means any potential hybrid cloud provider must be able to demonstrate the administrative, physical, and technological security measures that will be in place to protect your data.

5. Which applications should we move to the cloud?

Hybrid cloud deployments tend to be better for businesses that need a mix of in-house and outsourcing computing infrastructures, as well as those which are subject to industry-specific compliance. Many companies, for example, use a private cloud for handling payments or any other systems that routinely handle sensitive information. Meanwhile, routine processes, such as CRM and inventory management can be hosted in the public cloud, provided strong security measures are implemented.

At SimplyClouds, we appreciate the benefits of both in-house and cloud applications, which is why we help businesses build hybrid cloud deployments that let you enjoy the best of both worlds.Call us today to ask us your hybrid cloud questions.