4 things to consider with a hybrid IT strategy

Hybrid IT, which combines elements of on-premise, cloud and colocation, can be a powerful tool. Allowing businesses to take a centralised approach towards IT and reap the various benefits that each approach offers individually, whilst simultaneously improving the user experience.

However, like any IT project, hybrid IT requires a strong and carefully considered strategy to ensure its success. Below are four key issues we recommend you review during the process

Considerations for a successful hybrid IT strategy

1. Price and ROI

Just because a solution seems like a good deal initially doesn’t mean that it will actually work out as cost-effective down the line. It’s important to look beyond the initial costs because deploying applications in the wrong environment can be a costly mistake. Identify any hidden costs and check the small print very carefully. You should be wary of any organisations that seek to tie you in as this can expose you to future price hikes.

2. Security

Once an application is live you must consider how you will ensure users can connect to it securely. Will you use a private cloud, on-premise or colocation? Some companies prefer to segment access by the type of application. For example, a private cloud is preferable for internal or business-critical systems, but customer-facing applications can reside in a public cloud.

It’s also important you understand exactly where your data is being stored and how it is accessed. Data stored in the USA may be subject to different regulations compared to data stored in the UK. You must make sure you are complying with any regulations your industry is subject to.

3. Support

Consider what support will be required, what skills you have in-house and what areas would be best outsourced. Approaches in this area can vary widely so it’s important to find a partner that has the expertise and fits your company culture.

Your outsourced IT support provider should not be seen as a threat. They are there to operate as an extension of your existing team – not a replacement. Your IT support provider is there to fill resource gaps, deliver skills that your team lacks and to take responsibility for specialists tasks that are carried out infrequently – and require highly accredited engineers – or for tasks which you don’t need to operate in-house – for example, 24×7 monitoring.

4. Integration

When deploying any applications you should consider how it will integrate with any existing applications or planned applications for the future. For example, some public clouds may not offer the level of integration you require so private cloud may be the better option.

You should also take into account your current infrastructure investments, as these can play a key role in executing future plans. Make the most of your current assets by looking at how you can upgrade or repurpose them.