In today’s business landscape, achieving operational efficiency is no longer a mere aspiration but a critical requirement for organizations across all industries. The increasing demand for data control, the cost-effectiveness of cloud-based services, and the need for enhanced flexibility have propelled numerous organizations towards embracing a hybrid IT infrastructure. However, many organizations lack the confidence to successfully implement a hybrid IT infrastructure across various settings such as on-premise, cloud, edge, and software as a service (SaaS). In this article, we will explore the reasons why organizations should adopt a hybrid IT strategy and delve into the details of its implementation.
Understanding Hybrid IT: A Blend of Efficiency
A hybrid IT infrastructure combines the power of cloud, edge, and on-premise applications and data centres. By strategically deploying enterprise systems and applications across these different layers of infrastructure, businesses can achieve the desired performance and efficiency. The emergence of hybrid IT is a result of diverse technological advancements. According to Gartner, cloud-based technologies will account for more than half of IT spending in application software, infrastructure software, business process services, and system infrastructure by 2025. This expanding array of cloud-based applications means that even small organizations are likely to utilize some form of Software as a Service (SaaS) for various purposes, such as sales, asset management, or quality control.
Differentiating Hybrid IT from Hybrid Cloud
It’s crucial not to confuse hybrid IT with hybrid cloud, which solely combines private and public cloud services and excludes other components like data centres or on-premise infrastructure. Hybrid IT encompasses more than just the infrastructure itself; it represents a comprehensive strategy that includes hybrid collaboration, user experience, device compatibility, and data formatting.
The Best of Both Worlds: Advantages of Hybrid IT
Embracing a hybrid IT infrastructure offers a range of advantages when compared to a purely cloud-based or solely on-premise approach. Let’s take a closer look at some of these benefits:
- Enhanced Integration and Interoperability
Approximately 88 percent of organizations reported that integration challenges continue to impede digital transformation efforts, as per MuleSoft’s 2022 Connectivity Benchmark Report. By adopting a hybrid IT strategy, organizations can circumvent the intricate task of migrating legacy systems and applications to their new cloud-based counterparts. It establishes a stable IT environment where cloud, edge, on-premise, and data centre environments can coexist harmoniously, each catering to their optimal use cases.
- Facilitates Remote Work and BYOD Policies
Considering the prevalence of remote work, organizations must contemplate whether to implement a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy and ensure that specific applications are accessible on external devices. In all of these scenarios, a hybrid IT system serves as the facilitator for successful deployment.
Adopting a Hybrid-First Strategy for Seamless Transformation
To achieve a seamless digital transformation, organizations can enhance their hybrid IT infrastructure by embracing a hybrid-first IT strategy. This strategy goes beyond facilitating interoperability and integration; it optimizes the entire system by leveraging the advantages of each environment to maximize efficiency and functionality. Instead of piecing together different IT environments, a hybrid-first IT infrastructure entails designing a comprehensive system specifically tailored for hybrid utilization.
One such solution to implement a hybrid-first strategy is offered by Crosser. Their hybrid integration solution grants organizations complete flexibility to deploy data processing nodes simultaneously on-premise, at the edge, in the cloud, and at a data centre—all within a unified platform. Once deployed, the Crosser platform serves as a centralized hub for all dataprocessing and analysis requirements of an organization, ensuring seamless data flow and integration.
By implementing a hybrid-first IT strategy, organizations can create a custom blend of IT infrastructure that aligns with their unique priorities, whether it’s efficiency, automation, cost savings, simplicity, or overall user experience. By leveraging the benefits offered by each environment, businesses can construct a system explicitly designed for hybrid integration, unlocking the advantages of all available IT options.
In conclusion, a hybrid IT strategy provides organizations with the opportunity to achieve operational efficiency and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital landscape. By combining cloud, edge, and on-premise infrastructure, businesses can leverage the strengths of each environment, enhance integration and interoperability, facilitate remote work, and optimize their overall IT system. Implementing a hybrid-first approach further maximizes the benefits of a hybrid IT infrastructure, enabling organizations to tailor their systems for optimal performance and functionality. Embracing a hybrid IT strategy is a step towards future-proofing organizations and staying competitive in the digital age.
