IT leaders have been pushing data center optimization efforts to the extreme in recent years, with consolidation and virtualization becoming the norm in server environments throughout the nation. Even if you have only dabbled in such initiatives, it's only natural that your efficiency and cost-saving objectives have resulted in more streamlined data center operations. Whether this shift has manifested itself in new cloud computing resources or simply the migration of a few applications to off-premise systems, there's a good chance you've diminished some of the server sprawl that makes daily operations more complex and costly.
While lean computing and storage blueprints are a common goal for nearly every modern organization, the avenues through which these objectives are pursued vary greatly from one shop to the next. For many IT decision-makers, consolidation efforts have featured the reduction of physical servers in both internal and external settings, with integrated hybrid clouds appearing as the ideal solution. These multi-faceted architectures are recognized as some of the most efficient, cost-effective and secure environments available in the current IT landscape. If you haven't yet cultivated a hybrid infrastructure of your own, consider taking the leap and achieving the best of both worlds.
Hidden value revealed
Between compelling testimonials, accelerated marketing campaigns and the promotion of mobile device management, the cloud has seen no shortage of hype in recent years. Unfortunately, this momentum may encourage the next generation of IT administrators to steer clear of legacy assets, as on-premise servers and storage units have received a bad rap in light of the cloud buzz. It's important to remember that despite the cloud's many advantages, you can still squeeze a great deal of value from your preexisting systems. The key is to integrate these assets with your updated cloud deployments, creating the hybrid solution that best fits your organization's needs.
A recent article from ZDNet pointed out that business leaders are gradually abandoning in-house resources for off-premise counterparts. However, the source acknowledged that many of the cyber security and customization advantages of legacy systems are lost in migration. CTO of Interoute and a regular advisor to the European Commission on ICT research, thought leader Matthew Finnie expressed his vision of the future, suggesting the cloud's central role in the modernized IT landscape and applauding hybrid efforts as the ultimate avenue for innovation.
"With greater flexibility, IT can create incredible services at scale and still securely deliver them to employees for a fraction of the price. We need to move on from the traditional IT model of 'locked down' builds using closed infrastructure, towards an approach that effectively turns the IT department into a service provider. For example, instead of purchasing physical data centers, simply store and transport data virtually, using cloud infrastructure."
A more resilient cloud
If there's one area in which you likely hold skepticism regarding the cloud, it's probably related to the reliability and integrity of off-premise environments. You wouldn't be alone in this sentiment, according to an article from Business Cloud News - the source revealed breakthrough developments from IBM which will bring great control and disaster recovery capabilities to the cloud-savvy enterprise.
"By creating a new benchmark for delivering client continuity services in hybrid, public and private cloud environments, we meet the demands of businesses required to serve the around the clock needs of their clients," said Mike Errity, vice president, IBM Business Continuity and Resiliency Services, according to the source.
If you can successfully construct a hybrid cloud environment while maintaining strong business continuity support, you'll find yourself ahead of the pack in years to come.
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