Hybrid IT is an approach to enterprise computing in
which an organization provides and manages some information technology (IT)
resources in-house but uses cloud-based services for others.
A hybrid approach allows an enterprise to maintain
a centralized approach to IT governance while exploiting the benefits of cloud
computing.
Hybrid IT vs. hybrid cloud
The term hybrid IT is often used interchangeably
with the term hybrid cloud.
Hybrid cloud, however, can also refer to a cloud
architecture in which a vendor who has a private cloud forms a
partnership with a public cloud provider -- or a public cloud
provider who forms a partnership with a vendor that provides private cloud
platforms.
So, while hybrid IT is a form of hybrid cloud, not
all hybrid clouds are considered hybrid IT.
The benefits of hybrid IT
There are three forces driving the adoption of
hybrid IT: an enterprise's need to maintain control of data for
security purposes, the cost-effectiveness of cloud components such as software
as a service (SaaS) and storage as a service, and the desire for an
IT department to respond as quickly as possible to rapidly changing business
needs.
Data security and hybrid IT
A hybrid IT environment blends the security and
control of an on-premises environment with the flexibility and scalability of
cloud services.
In this way, businesses can keep sensitive or
regulated data in their on-premises IT infrastructure where certain
standards can be met, while leveraging cloud resources to distribute apps,
workloads and data that are not subject to cybersecurity regulations.
Cost efficiency and hybrid IT
While optimizing cost in a hybrid IT environment
can take some finessing -- and often the help of a solutions partner that
can customize pricing packages -- it can produce long-term cost savings.
Furthermore, when managed well, modernization through a hybrid infrastructure
can produce significant ROI.
For example, many hybrid cloud architectures allow
users to pay for more storage or provisioning service nodes only as
they need them, whereas most legacy systems require higher upfront
costs and have set limits before expensive upgrades are needed.
This is helpful for both boot-strapped start-up use
cases and large-scale enterprises looking to make greater utilization of their
IT budgets.
Flexibility and hybrid IT
Hybrid cloud environments
also empower IT teams to optimize their resources while decreasing the amount
of time spent on maintaining cloud infrastructure.
For example, service
providers manage cloud maintenance and updates for you. This results in a
significant amount of time saved for IT services and DevOps teams who
typically manage these tasks.
For example, typically with
on-premises infrastructure, upgrades and maintenance result in excessive
downtime for users. With a hybrid IT model, cloud upgrades and maintenance are
done for you requiring little to no downtime at all.
This frees IT professionals
up to focus on optimizing infrastructure, providing end-user support and
developing new features and applications. It also allows them to maintain legacy
applications that are too deeply embedded for full cloud migration.
Furthermore, it provides
the additional reliability and availability of an on-premises data center while
still enjoying the benefits of a digital transformation that comes
from cloud solutions.
What are some typical hybrid IT solutions?
Hybrid offerings typically come in three options:
SaaS, IaaS and PaaS.
SaaS
SaaS offerings are provided by vendors that have
cloud-based applications with wide-ranging functionality.
Usage is based on a subscription model,
allowing organizations to scale up as needed. Examples include Microsoft
Office 365 suite, Salesforce customer relationship management and Gmail.
IaaS
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) offerings are
structured as self-service, remote-hosted infrastructures which allow users to
implement business process automation, store data, host applications and run IT
processes.
IaaS vendors often deliver servers, networking,
storage and a data layer remotely, accessible through a wide area network connection
locally as virtual machines. They also typically incorporate monitoring
functionality, audit logs, security protocols, node clustering, and backup
and recovery features.
Pricing is somewhat different from SaaS providers
and is based on a combination of user seats and server provisioning. This is
often a good option for organizations with variable demands that require
frequent optimization.
PaaS
Platform as a service (PaaS)
vendors are a combination of both SaaS and IaaS in that they provide both tools
and infrastructure. PaaS offerings are typically sought after by organizations
that want to develop and host their own applications and need to maximize
efficiency in the software development lifecycle.
Payment terms can vary but
are often set up in a pay-as-you-go model, though some veer more toward a
subscription pay structure.
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