Hybrid Cloud For Dummies

Select Your Partners Carefully

Unlike with a data center, hybrid cloud computing requires that you make careful decisions about with whom you partner and for which services. Companies with a comprehensive plan for a hybrid cloud strategy select a variety of cloud providers depending on the type of job they’re trying to do. For example, when companies are managing important data, they will not store that data in a public storage environment that isn’t respected and trusted. Likewise, if a company wants to use a SaaS environment to support its sales force, management needs to select a partner that can provide the right level of service and that has a good track record of serving customers.

The benefit derived from selecting SaaS or PaaS delivery models is that a company is able to test a new offering to see whether it can support its business needs. It’s important to look under the covers when you’re using public cloud service providers. Many providers abstract the complexities of the underlying platform. However, if you’re going to rely on these services, find out what’s behind the slick interfaces. Do your homework so that you understand the best practices your cloud provider uses to create the value you will come to depend on.

You also need to understand what happens if you are unhappy with a provider. How does the vendor allow you to regain control of your data? What will the vendor charge you for continuing to store that information? If you have built complex business processes ...