Cloud computing is rapidly becoming the default for business, and has evolved to meet growing demand. One of the ways this has been done is through the introduction of hybrid services as companies are realizing they need more than one method of meeting customer needs. Hybrid cloud computing is a system that uses both public and private cloud services.

The public cloud is owned and operated by a third party for use by other businesses and individuals. It consists of hardware, storage, backup services, tailored business apps and interfaces needed to run a company online.

The private cloud does exactly the same, but is owned and operated for an organization by that organization for the employees, customers and any partners. Private clouds can be managed by outsourcing. A private cloud tends to be mostly automated, with a focus on day to day administration, governance and security. Crucially, it’s on your servers and you own it, with all the obvious advantages and disadvantages that entails.

The hybrid cloud is a combination of public and private, making a more comprehensive cloud computing service. Here are 3 ways using a hybrid system can improve your business.

1 – Flexibility

If your business has an unexpected surge in use of your in-house server and you don’t have the capability to handle it, you could potentially lose business. A hybrid system allows you to use the public cloud so that all usage is managed easily. If you only had your private cloud, you could have to spend more money on server hardware and this is an expense not every business can afford. Hybrid cloud services are scalable, making it a better solution for companies who experience fluctuations in their business. If you want to scale, dragging your IT behind you can slow you down. But if you want security, private cloud is best. So hybridization is the way to go for flexibility and solid privacy.

2 – Cost Effectiveness

A hybrid system means that still using your in-house servers and software can save you money on public cloud services.  You won’t need as much as a company that runs completely from a public cloud but you’ll still have those services available when necessary. This lowers the cost on public storage costs and on setting up a Backup and Disaster Recovery plan as your data will already be protected.

Using a hybrid solution means that you don’t have to get rid of all your hardware and software – you can integrate your existing assets and take advantage of both services. As the hybrid model can let you dip into the public cloud for immediate or one-off large projects, your business can complete them quickly and for less money than it would cost to use your local IT infrastructure.

3 – Security

Security can be improved for your business using a hybrid system.  Many businesses use public cloud for non-sensitive data; everything from web hosting to employee collaboration can happen faster and easier on scalable, easy-to-access public cloud, with business-critical applications backed by SLA. But sensitive data can be kept separate, on restricted access private cloud on virtual servers, providing the best possible blend of accessibility and security.

If your business is looking for more information about the cloud systems, Stratosphere Networks can help.  Our experienced IT professionals will help determine which kinds of services will be most beneficial to your business.  Contact us today at (877) 599-3999 or fill out our contact form.