Member Article

Mix and match: taking a hybrid approach to true cloud computing

Andrew Robson is CEO of Perfect Image, a North East-based IT services company delivering tailored solutions and services to organisations across the UK, helping them to improve their businesses through the effective use of IT.

Here he examines the business benefits of taking a hybrid approach to your IT infrastructure using true cloud computing solutions.

Many companies across the North East are starting to see the business benefits a true cloud computing solution can have when it comes to their IT infrastructure. At Perfect Image, we’re receiving more enquiries about the services we offer through our partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), and many of our existing customers are taking their servers out of data centres and switching to true cloud.

For others, the commitment to a total true cloud solution isn’t the right approach for them. At Perfect Image, we take a consultative approach to IT and rather than prescribing off-the-shelf packages - we design and deliver solutions that are fit for purpose and meet a business need.

When it comes to cloud, some clients are better suited to what we call a hybrid solution. This means, essentially, keeping some of the company’s infrastructure in the old-fashioned data centre, and moving other areas into true cloud.

A hybrid approach to IT infrastructure offers our customers many benefits. For example, they can continue to use their existing equipment and make the most of their investment in it whilst extending it with the flexibility and security that a true cloud solution has to offer, all without any upfront capital spend.

In addition, a hybrid approach means our customers can move into the true cloud environment at the right pace for them while enjoying all the benefits of AWS, such as greater flexibility and cost savings. True cloud computing is PAYG, making AWS one of the most cost-effective solutions we offer our customers – whatever the size and scale of requirement, users only ever pay for what they use. There are no contracts, no up-front payments and no hidden costs.

With AWS, requirements can be easily scaled up or down to meet evolving business needs, without having to amend any contracts and at extremely short notice. This flexibility means users can react to business cycles, seasonality and to new projects, allowing organisations to maximise their flexibility without adding to overheads.

True cloud computing means anything is possible. AWS can be used by companies in a number of different ways, from running entire IT needs, to delivering a particular application, website or even in more innovative ways, such as extending existing data centres to meet varying demand, or providing a backup data centre for business continuity needs.

In practice, a true cloud solution may not be appropriate in all situations for technical or governance reasons. As a result, a lot of people are taking a hybrid approach, mixing and matching their IT infrastructure between data centres and true cloud. Often, this approach can present the company with the best value while enjoying the best of both worlds.

If you’re considering moving some or your entire IT infrastructure into a true cloud environment, talk to the team at Perfect Image; we can advise you on the best approach for your business. For more information, visit: http://www.perfect-image.co.uk/managed-services-support/amazon-web-services

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Perfect Image .