Optimise your hybrid IT environment

Hybrid IT environments not only provide predictable and flexible ways for organisations to manage their workloads, they also let IT teams shift focus from simply keeping the lights on to more innovative, value-adding initiatives.

Frost & Sullivan says in a recent report that hybrid IT is the new normal in the APAC region,[1] and more than half of the enterprises surveyed in the 2015 Asia Pacific Data Centre and Cloud Computing Market Update signalled intentions to move to hybrid environments by 2016-17[2].

There are many combinations to choose from when it comes to deciding how to carve up an organisation’s IT infrastructure. Which applications are retained in-house and which the organisation prefers to reside in the cloud is entirely up to personal preference and requirements. A hybrid model can be ideal for one organisation but completely impractical for another.

Deciding on the form of a hybrid IT environment is not the end of the matter. It needs to be subject to review on a regular basis in consultation with internal and external partners. This will ensure that the infrastructure is being optimised for maximum flexibility, responsiveness and ROI.

Relationships with external partners such as managed service providers (MSPs) should not end upon completion of an implementation phase. All parties need to continue to work together to improve the IT infrastructure so an organisation can get the best results for its investment. This is especially true if the organisation has subscription-based or scalable IT services that feature built-in support from MSPs.

Key points to consider when optimising hybrid IT infrastructure

1. Hybrid options for mission-critical apps

   For many mission-critical apps, managed services could be a better option than cloud services. Whatever path the organisation decides to take, these applications need to be protected by closely monitoring the application and network security, and ensuring that the workloads are manageable and available at all times.

2. Consider the cost

   The cost of IT and cloud ownership must be considered carefully. It is a widely held perception that cloud and outsourced managed services reduce costs and help organisations gain more control over their budgets. However, this is not always the case. Organisations need to monitor these costs or the monthly bill may exceed the allocated budget.

3. Find the right partner

   It’s important to find the right partner that can provide the range of IT infrastructure, services, solutions and assurances the business requires. This will ensure the organisation won’t be limited in its ambitions for IT or exposed to unnecessary risk in the long term.

4. Find the right MSP

   Find an MSP that lets the organisation scale its cloud and subscription-based services so you don’t run the risk of over-provisioning and unnecessarily blowing out your budget. Ask for access to a dashboard to monitor the monthly spend on cloud resources. This will also reveal whether resources are being used optimally or if more instruction is required to minimise unnecessary cloud resource wastage within the organisation.

5. Regular evaluation

   A regular evaluation of the company’s mission-critical apps and the total cost of IT and cloud ownership can help save time, money and resources. In turn, this can help the organisation to grow and provide a competitive advantage.

[1] http://www.enterpriseinnovation.net/article/hybrid-it-defining-new-normal-apac-903418027

[2] http://ww2.frost.com/news/press-releases/frost-sullivan-hybrid-it-and-cloud-enabled-technologies-will-define-new-normal/