MarketsandMarkets recently reported that the hybrid cloud market will grow to $84.67 billion by 2019 – and 48% of the companies they surveyed are planning a move to the hybrid cloud soon. But what do you need to know before you jump into the cloud?
1. Classify and categorize all of your applications. Applications are different, and require different handling. Consider latency and network issues as you determine which applications should be housed in the private cloud, and which need to be in the public cloud. Prioritize your move by application and make a plan for the migration.
2. Know your vendor and iron out all security questions on the front end. How do they house data? Will physical equipment be employed in the process? What security systems are in place – access rules, protection of physical and virtual devices, audit and certification abilities? What is their support center like? Be sure you’re going into the cloud with a vendor you can trust and makes themselves available to you.
3. Utilize an agile approach. The plan you follow for migration should have small milestones in place every step of the way to ensure success is the end-result. Part of that approach should include a look at WAN optimization – it can make your move to the cloud more seamless, easing your access to applications from the office and remotely.
What did you find critical in your move to the cloud?