- In the rapidly evolving landscape of cloud computing, organisations are increasingly looking for ways to optimise their cloud infrastructure. One such approach is a multi cloud strategy.
- A multi cloud strategy can be a powerful tool for organisations looking to enhance their cloud computing capabilities.
Companies are embracing multi cloud strategies and solutions to run applications in various locations seamlessly. By weighing the advantages and obstacles, businesses can create a multi cloud strategy that aligns with their objectives and sustains their future aspirations. This approach enables organisations to optimise flexibility and efficiency while minimising complexity in their IT infrastructure.
What is multi cloud strategy
Multi cloud entails utilising multiple public cloud providers, supporting private, public, or hybrid setups. It aims to provide the flexibility to match the optimal computing environment to each specific workload.
A multi cloud strategy involves the use of two or more cloud computing services from different providers. This approach allows organisations to distribute their applications and data across various cloud platforms, rather than relying on a single cloud provider.
Also read: Multi-cloud vs hybrid cloud: Key differences
Why use a multi cloud strategy
With the ability to relocate your applications, you have the power to manage expenses, ensure consistent uptime, reduce latency, and minimise downtime, all of which have a direct impact on your customers’ satisfaction. From a business perspective, adopting a multi cloud approach enables you to steer clear of being tied to a single vendor, giving you the flexibility to choose cloud solutions and services that offer the greatest benefits.
If your company prioritises the following aspects, a multi cloud strategy could be an ideal fit:
Flexibility and freedom from vendor lock-in: Seeking the agility to choose from various cloud services without being confined to a single provider’s ecosystem.
High availability and reliability: Striving to ensure minimal downtime and maintain continuous operation to prevent site outages.
Robust data protection and risk management: Crafting a comprehensive plan to safeguard data and mitigate potential risks across different cloud environments.
Optimised performance for customers: Aiming to deliver the fastest load times and best latency to enhance the user experience for your customers.
Cost-effective pricing models: Comparing and acquiring services from multiple cloud providers to get the most competitive pricing.
Continuous network performance enhancements: Staying updated with the latest performance upgrades offered by various cloud providers.
Compliance with geographic data regulations: Adhering to data sovereignty and region-specific compliance mandates.
Also read: Why do many organisations use a hybrid and multi-cloud strategy?
Challenges of multi cloud strategy
Embracing a multi cloud strategy, with its myriad of advantages, does indeed present a formidable set of challenges that organisations must navigate with finesse. The intricacies of managing a multifaceted cloud environment demand a sophisticated approach, one that encompasses a unified management platform capable of orchestrating resources across various cloud providers. Ensuring consistent security across these disparate platforms is paramount, necessitating the deployment of stringent security protocols that can adapt to the unique features and potential vulnerabilities of each cloud service.
Additionally, maintaining uniform performance and reliability across different cloud infrastructures is essential to ensure a seamless user experience and operational continuity. To effectively tackle these challenges, organisations must adopt a strategic cloud management framework, fortified by robust security policies and underpinned by a steadfast commitment to ongoing monitoring, assessment, and optimisation of the multi cloud infrastructure. This involves leveraging advanced automation tools, developing a deep understanding of each cloud provider’s offerings, and cultivating a culture of agility and resilience within the organisation.