Member Article

Is public cloud is best for your business?

In the last installment we looked at the reasons why businesses may choose a Linux based private cloud environment. This time: why go public?

• Cost
• Future proofing
• Scalability
• Flexibility and agility
• IT control
• Speed
• Patching and upgrading

The reasons for choosing a Linux-based public cloud infrastructure for your business are many and varied.

Definition

‘Public Cloud’ is a service model in which resources such as software or data storage are provided over the Internet.

Cost Savings

Commonly cited as a driver, but not always the most important. IT as a service is attractive to start-ups and organisations experiencing rapid growth; more OPEX, less CAPEX.

Future Proofing

Renewing hardware and maximising ROI without holding back the enterprise are things of the past with cloud based services. Let someone else provide the kit while you get on and use it.

Scalability

Organisations like to grow, but sometimes market forces compel downsizing. A public cloud can provide the services you need to grow, and take up the slack when you don’t. Works for mergers and acquisitions, and de-mergers and buyouts too.

Flexibility/Agility

Many organisations are subject to seasonal peaks and troughs. You may need to scale up to cope with the pre-Christmas peak, but then much of your investment will sit idle for the rest of the year. In the public cloud new servers can be provisioned in minutes, and shut down when you don’t need them.

Control (no shadow IT)

With automated management and a ‘self-service’ system that allows business units to get the IT service they need quickly, the temptation to bypass the IT department and use unauthorised ‘shadow IT’ is much reduced. The cloud may be ‘public’ but control is back where it belongs, with the IT professionals.

Speed

Making changes to conventional IT can take weeks, especially if extra hardware is needed. Using public cloud services, new servers can be provisioned in minutes. Your organisation gets the IT services it needs, when it needs them.

Patching & Upgrading

Public cloud, automated management tools and a service contract with a Managed Service Provider relieve IT departments of the mundane - but essential - tasks of patching and updating software, freeing them to concentrate on integrating IT strategy with the organisation’s goals.

Takeaways:

• A public cloud can provide the services you need to grow, and take up the slack when you don’t
• New servers can be provisioned in minutes, and shut down when you don’t need them
• The cloud maybe be ‘public’ but control is back where it belongs, with the IT professionals.

Find out which Linux environment is right for your business - download this guide: In the cloud or on the ground? Your guide to the right Linux environment for your business. Get the guide free here: http://bit.ly/1htKzwx (copy and paste the link into your browser)

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Mitchell .