Over time the “cloud hype” has gradually given way to pragmatism. But this year was truly unique when it comes to learning for companies like us and for organizations driving digital transformation.
If I look at the inquiries from companies that we received this year, there was more cloud adoption than expected because remote working and business continuity were top priorities. When these inquiries come to my team, it is clear that the vast majority of companies prefer hybrid operating models with a mix of on-premises or private cloud infrastructures and public clouds.
This is mostly due to the flexibility, efficiency, and scalability that the hybrid cloud offers, while still giving users full control. Enterprises want security, data protection, and compliance, without making compromises during cloud adoption.
But in the end, the success of adoption is only as good as the strategy, implementation, and management supporting it. The keys to success are the optimal allocation of diverse workloads and efficient governance/management.
The challenge of workload allocation
The hybrid cloud is ideal because it allows enterprises to use the optimal cloud model for any service at any time. I am sure that the relocation of data, applications, and services will become the new norm in the future – this applies to migrations into public clouds, between public clouds, and for cloud repatriation.
Current figures show that 70% of hybrid cloud users plan to migrate applications and data to the public cloud over the next two years. In addition, around 30% expect migrations between public clouds, and a good 30% expect cloud repatriation projects.
From my perspective, there are many reasons for these dynamics – such as business growth, workloads, and specific cloud provider factors. Repatriation of applications and data to the on-premises environment can be interesting for a number of reasons:
- The governance of applications created outside of the data center leads to new security concerns
- The complex relationships of applications across a business are impacted by latency issues resulting in unpredictable service performance
- Avoidance of vendor lock-in, for example, whenever a provider changes the functional scope of services offered
- Greater flexibility when operational requirements or new concepts need to be implemented quickly
- In the private cloud, any security level can be realized without hassle; in the public cloud, users must depend on their provider
Of course, optimal workload allocation can be challenging. So how can migrations be made easy?
The Fujitsu approach to hybrid cloud strategies
Fujitsu supports the development and implementation of customer-specific hybrid cloud strategies with a holistic approach. As one of the world's leading IT service and solution providers, we bundle the expertise, evaluate requirements along the edge-core-cloud, and dimension solutions according to customer needs. We support customers with our portfolio...
- ... to find the right cloud for the right workload. With our proven consulting approach, we help customers set the stage for optimal workload allocation on-premise, in the cloud, and in the multi-cloud.
- ... to ensure uniform hybrid cloud management: FUJITSU Integrated System PRIMEFLEX solutions are hybrid IT architectures for efficient edge-core-cloud management of workloads – and they help minimize migration effort.
- ... to optimally balance each hybrid cloud strategy: Our Multi-Cloud Optimization Service offers a customer-centric platform and award-winning expertise for optimizing hybrid cloud strategies.
Find the right cloud for the right workload
Do you actually know your data architecture? You should, because in the digital business world you can only succeed by capturing high-quality data for integration in your business processes – this will improve business decision-making. You need to know every detail of the data architecture because it is also the foundation for optimal workload placement. In four steps, Fujitsu co-creates the data architecture that suits each customer:
1. Selection of the right architecture based on workload requirements
2. Selection of the delivery model for each application
3. Integration of the data architecture across all physical and virtual locations (edge-core-cloud)
4. Definition of security and risk measures for corporate data
Our teams precisely analyze key factors such as cost efficiency, ROI, application performance, scalability, real-time or near real-time data requirements, data sensitivity, number of users, distribution, legal requirements, data protection requirements, and many other aspects.
Ensuring uniform hybrid cloud management
The hybrid cloud requires skills that are not always available in many enterprises. PRIMEFLEX closes this gap. In partnership with manufacturers such as Microsoft, Nutanix, and VMware, we have developed hybrid IT architectures that integrate perfectly from edge-to-cloud and allow customers to optimally allocate their workloads.
Our partnership with RedHat OpenShift, for example, has led to a seamless interface with Microsoft Azure, which also simplifies administration.
Optimally balancing the hybrid cloud strategy
Many enterprises already use the cloud. You should as well. The first thing you should do is put your strategy to the test with our Multi-Cloud Optimization Service. We use best practices to review the current situation and then make customized proposals for improving and implementing your cloud strategy.
Take advantage of Fujitsu's global technology and service capabilities to unlock the full potential of your hybrid cloud.
Find out more on our website.
