Which Cloud Deployment Method is Best for You?

The worldwide public cloud computing market continues to grow at an unprecedented rate and is expected to reach an estimated 495 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2022, according to Statista. With benefits like lower operating costs, faster speed, better performance, improved reliability, and more—it’s pretty easy to see why.

For many organizations it’s turned into when and how they’ll move to the cloud, rather than focusing on if it’s the right choice for them. As you plan your cloud journey or look to optimize your current environment, it’s important to keep in mind that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each environment should be carefully tailored to your organization’s needs. This blog post explores some of the common deployment methods and how they differ to help you determine your best path forward.

Public cloud

Public cloud services are an extensive network of software, hardware or servers shared across multiple organizations. The data for each organization is firewalled against all other users, but the resources are pooled so that no one business bears the cost of upgrades or maintenance. Some examples include Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and AWS.

In this environment, users access the public cloud tools over the internet, and share those resources among several organizations. Public cloud providers are owned by third-party service providers; they use professional run, large-scale, professional data centers that provide features and benefits outside of a normal company's operating budget, which can offer a lot of benefits. These deployments are frequently used to provide web-based email, online office applications, storage, and testing and development environments.

There are some drawbacks to public clouds. If you’re an organization that requires tight security or control over data, like a government entity, then this method may not be for you, since the shared environment can lead to a sense of decreased security and control.

Private cloud

The opposite of public cloud solutions, private cloud solutions are located on-premises or hosted by a third party, and dedicated to your organization alone. The resources are accessed via secure private networks and are isolated from the public internet.

Since your organization has primary control over your setup and processes, a private cloud strategy offers security and flexibility that are highly efficient and reliable. Your IT team or third-party host can update software, platforms and security applications immediately.

Common use cases include government agencies, financial institutions, any other mid- to large-size organizations with business-critical operations seeking enhanced control over their environment.

Hybrid cloud

Hybrid clouds are one of the most common deployment methods today, since they combine the advantages of both private and public clouds in the same environment. By definition, hybrid clouds are “a combination of at least 2 computing environments that share information with one another and run a uniform series of applications for a business or enterprise.”

This method allows you to continue using on-premises servers while also taking advantage of public cloud options. Key benefits include:

• Effective application governance
• Improved performance and reduced latency
• Flexible operations
• Improved ROI

A hybrid cloud approach is a great option for you if you want the scale and security of a public cloud, while keeping your data on-premises to comply with data protection laws or supporting computing needs closer to your customers.

Multi-cloud

Although sometimes used interchangeably, hybrid cloud and multi-cloud are actually two different approaches. The biggest difference is that hybrid clouds always include a private cloud, but a multi-cloud approach does not. Multi-clouds can include a private cloud component, which would make it both a multi-cloud and hybrid cloud.

Taking a multi-cloud approach enables organizations to pick and choose the features they need from different cloud providers to create the perfect environment for them. When creating a strategy, create the boxes that you want to be checked for your multi-cloud system. Here are some things that can be a part of your checklist:

• Build a plan with your IT department that clearly communicates all your desired requirements for a multi-cloud system. Keep in mind, you can significantly cut down on implementation time due to their expertise.
• It is imperative your multi-cloud strategy does not assume you will take what your company currently has and simply move it to the cloud. This “Lift and Shift” model can be expensive as entering the cloud from an on-premise environment requires planning and architecture to ensure you are not overpaying.
• Confirm providers are providing outstanding uptimes that will keep your company running around the clock.
• Always keep an eye on overall ROI and management goals.

Whether you’re looking to optimize your current cloud environment, or perform a whole migration, iuvo Technologies is here to help. Contact us to learn more today!