Multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud are two terms that are often confused. Whereas the multi-cloud environment involves using multiple cloud services from more than one service provider, a hybrid cloud infrastructure entails the combined use of both public and private clouds to perform a single IT task by leveraging resources from two different clouds. In this instance, the overlapping middle-ground between the two separate clouds provides a transmission bridge for data without compromising productivity or security.

Cloud services are either public or private. A public cloud is used by multiple customers without interacting with each other, such as in banking, online shopping portals, etc. Private cloud services allow companies to build/maintain their own cloud or use a service provider who hosts a private cloud for them.

Each type of cloud has different strengths, and some are better at specific tasks than others. It will require an in-depth analysis to determine which one/s should be leveraged for the maximum benefit to the business.

Multi-cloud solutions integrate several public cloud servers, which the company can use for various business applications or redundancy and system backups. Its multiple identity infrastructure allows a multi-cloud strategy to make use of SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS. Although a multi-cloud strategy can use a mix of public, private or even hybrid cloud solutions – they do not necessarily use different types of clouds.

As soon as services are used on-site and in external public or private clouds, this results in a hybrid-cloud solution where it becomes possible to share data between the servers. Companies often use a hybridised form of multi-cloud deployment, consisting of both an on-site data centre and a private cloud.

The benefit of a hybrid-cloud infrastructure is that it allows companies a great deal of flexibility in terms of rapid scalability and secure access. However, it can be more expensive, and there are situations where companies do not require data to be shared between two clouds. This is where a multi-cloud environment should be considered.

Selecting which type of cloud management platform should be used can be very confusing. Its architecture should be designed to minimise other infrastructure management actions yet still obtain the best possible performance.

The Westech IT team understands how the wrong choice can impact business operations and costs. Their extensive experience with private, public, hybrid and multi-cloud deployments enables companies to attain their objectives in terms of cost, bandwidth, speed, data storage and security – without any compromises.

The key to a successful multi-cloud or hybrid strategy is to have a single, reliable IT partner to manage capacity and connect users to the necessary resources. Westech is your partner for professional advice about multi-cloud strategies. Contact us to discuss your requirements and setup a meeting with one of our consultants.