Top 10 best examples of Hybrid cloud computing

In this article, we will discuss examples of hybrid cloud computing, but first of all, let’s discuss the definition of hybrid cloud computing and it’s basic components.

What is a Hybrid cloud?

A hybrid cloud environment has three basic components:

1. On-premises (also called “on-premises”) is where an organization runs and manages computing resources, networks, storage, and software on hardware and servers located in physical locations such as office buildings or on-premises data centers. It is a traditional form of computing.
2. A public cloud is a cloud service that allows third-party cloud service providers (CSPs) such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Services, IBM Cloud, and Microsoft Azure to deploy individual virtual machines (VMs) and services, etc., over the public Internet. A form of cloud computing that hosts public cloud resources. Services and management tools include:
   • Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) for compute, storage, and network resources.
   • Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for developing, running, and managing cloud-native applications.
   • Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for end-user applications (such as Google Workforce and Salesforce).
3. A private cloud is a cloud computing environment in which all resources are isolated and operated exclusively for a single customer. A private cloud combines many of the benefits of cloud computing with the security and control of an on-premises IT infrastructure.

Initially, hybrid cloud computing focused on incorporating some on-premises data into a private cloud infrastructure and connecting that infrastructure to a public cloud infrastructure hosted off-premises by a third-party cloud provider such as AWS. This was accomplished by creating a single API or dashboard using packaged hybrid cloud solutions such as Red Hat® Open Shift service idleware and IT management tools. This “single pane of glass” gives IT teams a single view of applications, networks, and systems.

Today, hybrid cloud architectures go beyond physical connectivity and basic cloud migrations to provide flexible, secure, and cost-effective environments that support portability and automated deployment of workloads across multiple environments.

Hybrid cloud vs. multicloud

Hybrid cloud is often confused with multi-cloud, which uses cloud services from multiple cloud vendors. Multi cloud environments help prevent vendor lock-in. Vendor lock-in from using only one vendor can lead to technical incompatibilities, legal restrictions, and excessive costs.

It is important to note that modern hybrid cloud architectures are evolving so that hybrid cloud and multi-cloud setups work in harmony with each other. Most modern enterprise businesses use hybrid multi-cloud environments that combine the integration of public cloud, private cloud, and on-premises infrastructure with public or private cloud services from at least two cloud service providers. 

The modern Hybrid cloud platform

Integrated hybrid cloud platforms play a key role in application modernization, a software approach that allows developers to transform monolithic applications into microservices focused on specific business functions. Microservices is an architectural approach in which an application consists of many small, loosely coupled, independently deployable components (services). These applications are deployed in containers. Containers are lightweight software packages that include only the application code and virtualized operating system dependencies needed to run in any environment, depending on the workload. A container orchestration platform (typically Kubernetes) automates deployment in hybrid cloud and multi-cloud environments.

Additionally, in modern hybrid cloud environments, organizations no longer need to “connect” their physical locations as they did when they were only running private clouds on-premises. In contrast, these environments are now often hosted in off-premises data centers, virtual private networks (VPNs), virtual private clouds (VPCs), or infrastructure rented from third-party providers

A hybrid cloud architecture combines the benefits of public and private cloud environments, allowing organizations to optimize their workload placement and data storage options.

As a result, businesses can reap the benefits of public and private cloud environments while minimizing the risks of choosing one.

However, this approach also has advantages and disadvantages that IT managers, CTOs, and developers must consider when implementing a hybrid cloud model.

Advantages:

• Cost efficiency: A major advantage of the hybrid cloud model is the ability to optimize capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operating expenditures (OPEX). By using a combination of public and private cloud resources, IT managers can balance the cost of running workloads, resulting in significant cost savings. Hybrid cloud architectures help organizations achieve more cost-effective IT operations, making them an attractive option for businesses with limited budgets.
• Scalability: Another major advantage of the hybrid cloud model is scalability. Using the public cloud for non-critical workloads allows businesses to quickly scale their on-premises infrastructure up or down based on changing needs. This allows businesses to respond efficiently to customer demands and remain competitive.
• Flexibility: A hybrid cloud model allows businesses to use the platform that best suits their needs. Enterprises can use the private cloud for sensitive workloads and the public cloud for non-critical workloads, or both. This approach allows businesses to remain proactive when traffic levels increase and compute and storage demands grow.
• Security: Hybrid cloud strategies offer greater security than public cloud environments. Enterprises can gain more control over their mission-critical data. Businesses can decide which applications and services are stored offsite and which are kept private in the public cloud. Hybrid cloud architecture also offers the ability to failover workloads to either the public or private cloud, allowing enterprises to develop better disaster recovery strategies (3-2-1-1-0 Veeam Golden Backup rule, etc.).
• Digital Transformation: Hybrid cloud computing allows businesses to innovate by leveraging the latest cloud technologies without being fully committed to a single vendor. Companies can test and implement new ideas more efficiently by using the public cloud for experiments and the private cloud for production workloads.

Disadvantages:

• Implementation and Management: Setting up a hybrid cloud infrastructure is as difficult as maintaining it. There is an increased demand for network capabilities, storage, and servers. All these implementations take time and require precision to avoid inherent problems that may arise later.
• Complexity: When managing IT workloads in a hybrid cloud deployment model, it can be difficult to maintain visibility into everything your organization manages. The complexity of the infrastructure can make it difficult for organizations to have a clear view of their cloud environment, including all the systems, platforms, applications, requirements, and processes they must manage. This can make it difficult to meet compliance regulations and identify potential issues.
• Hardware costs: Businesses must maintain and spend on-premises hardware to support their private cloud computing needs. This can offset the benefits of public cloud operations and increase the cost of maintaining and setting up a hybrid cloud infrastructure.
• Security risks: Hybrid cloud computing involves multiple environments, platforms, and vendors, which increases security risks. Organizations must consider the security implications of each environment and vendor involved and effectively manage these risks, such as software vulnerabilities and broader surfaces that can be attacked.

Examples of hybrid cloud computing

• Infinidat
• Ensono
• Threat Stack
• IBM
• DataCore Software
• Unitas Global
• Rackspace
• D2iQ

Ensono

Location: Downers Grove, Illinois

Ensono offers a hybrid cloud environment for enterprise IT systems. The company provides solutions for everything from managing public cloud services like AWS and Azure to securing private servers running business-critical applications.

Ensono’s hybrid cloud is used by well-known brands like Sonoco, Travelodge, Kansas State, and Guinness World Records.

Threat Stack

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Threat Stack is a cloud infrastructure company that uses a real-time alerting platform to help detect security threats in hybrid clouds. The platform continuously analyzes cloud data and detects potentially malicious anomalies. The platform also helps hybrid enterprises achieve compliance and safely deploy containerized projects.

Companies like SproutSocial, Greenhouse, and Iora Health rely on Threat Stack to secure their clouds and maintain compliance standards. 

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Turbonomic, an IBM subsidiary, uses AI to automate workloads in the hybrid cloud. The company’s AI optimizes performance, compliance, and utilization in real-time. Leveraging supply and demand techniques, Turbonomic optimizes the hybrid cloud to maximize data utilization and migration.

Lockheed Martin, Expedia, PwC, and JP Morgan are some of the leading global brands that use Turbonomic to optimize their hybrid cloud infrastructure.

Rackspace Technology

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Rackspace’s hybrid cloud computing solutions allow businesses to run workloads on public or private servers. The company’s RackConnect hybrid cloud allows businesses and organizations to connect private and public clouds such as AWS, Zure, VMWare and Openstack. This hybrid flexibility allows you to create multicloud environments and maximize data storage.

Ulta, Omaze, Six Flags, Under Armour and Yeti all use Rackspace’s hybrid cloud to manage their data and create multiple cloud environments.

DXC Technology

Location: Arlington, Virginia

DXC Technologies helps businesses transition to hybrid cloud environments. The company offers a variety of solutions, including strategic planning, hybrid application integration, and specialized tool implementation for AWS and Azure. Other hybrid cloud tools from DXC Technologies include cybersecurity risk assessment and continuity services to protect workloads and applications.

DXC Technologies’ cloud services support more than 800 customers and partner with well-known technology companies such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, and VMWare.

Location: Austin, Texas

Oracle develops versatile cloud solutions that can be used for a variety of purposes, including analytics, management, and storage. The company’s Oracle Cloud Infrastructure can be deployed to support hybrid cloud environments ranging from edge computing to data center management. OCI offers dedicated Oracle Cloud regions, autonomous databases, and interconnectable deployments with other cloud services.

VMWare

Location: Palo Alto, California

VMWare provides networking, infrastructure, a dedicated app building platform, and all other services for the cloud. Specifically, the company’s hybrid cloud system allows you to manage applications and data center operations in a hybrid cloud environment. This system allows businesses to migrate and modernize their data infrastructure, as well as access relevant partner solutions from other cloud platforms.

NetApp

Location: Sunnyvale, California

NetApp’s services work to maintain data centers and manage data operations through 10 different areas of expertise, one of which is hybrid cloud. The company’s hybrid cloud services ensure proper data security, compliance, tiering, cloud bursting capability, and application management in a multicloud environment.

Companies such as Dow Jones, Siemens, and Carrefour use NetApp’s hybrid cloud for data management purposes.

Infinidat

Location: Waltham, Massachusetts

Infinidat manufactures cloud-based data storage and security appliances. The company’s data management technology easily integrates within hybrid clouds, offering petabytes of storage capacity and scalability in multi-tenant environments.

Infinidat’s Infinibox storage system series offers over 150 petabytes of storage lab capacity and can support private, shared, and hybrid cloud environments.

Platform9

Location: Sunnyvale, California

Platform9 instantly transforms a company’s existing infrastructure into the cloud. Hybrid services enable enterprises to centrally manage VMs to support a wide range of applications, deploy containers and microservices at scale, and rapidly deliver cloud-native applications. Platform9 enables DevOps teams to create standardized workflows in the public or private cloud of their choice, or create hybrid clouds between clusters in a private cloud.

LogMeIn, Scality, Autodesk, Bitly, and Clue all use Platform9 to move data into a more flexible hybrid cloud.

BMC Software

Location: Houston, Texas 

BMC Software specializes in providing solutions for the technology industry, including cloud management, DevOps, and IT optimization. The company’s multicloud management products and services help with migration, cost analysis, performance analysis, and operational visibility. The company also hosts TrueSight, a remediation tool specifically for cloud services that helps optimize IT operations and automate compliance.

Scalr

Location: San Francisco, California

Scalar hosts a hybrid cloud management platform that powers cybersecurity protocols. The company helps businesses achieve cost accountability, accelerate workflow automation, and manage database control access.

The Scalar hybrid cloud management platform is trusted by renowned companies such as Expedia, Samsung, NASA, Gannett, the FDA, and the National Cancer Institute. 

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