The power of multi-cloud management

In an increasingly cloud-based business world, multi-cloud management is becoming more and more important as a key topic. Companies see the use of multiple cloud providers as an opportunity to benefit from the advantages of different platforms and to optimize their IT infrastructure. However, managing and integrating these complex multi-cloud environments is a challenge.

In a multicloud environment, a company has the option of distributing its workloads and applications across different cloud platforms. This means that certain workloads can be hosted on one cloud platform, while other workloads are operated on another platform. The decision as to which workloads run on which platform can be made on the basis of criteria such as performance, costs, security and functionality.

What types of cloud are there?

There are different types of clouds that companies can use to provide their IT infrastructure and services. Here are some of the most common cloud types:

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Public Cloud

A public cloud is operated by a cloud service provider and is accessible to the general public. The resources are shared by several companies and the costs are based on consumption.

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Private cloud

A private cloud is operated by a single company and is intended exclusively for internal purposes. The resources are usually hosted in the company's own data center and offer more control and security.

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Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud combines a public cloud and a private cloud, allowing companies to benefit from the advantages of both models. It enables companies to store sensitive data and applications in the private cloud, while less critical data and workloads are hosted in the public cloud.

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Multi-cloud

In a multi-cloud environment, companies use several cloud providers to distribute their workloads and applications on the most suitable platform. This allows companies to benefit from the strengths of different providers and reduce their dependence on a single provider.

Why multi-cloud?

The use of a multi-cloud environment offers companies a number of advantages:

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Flexibility and scalability

By using multiple cloud providers, companies can choose the most suitable platform for their specific requirements. They can seamlessly move workloads and applications between different clouds and scale their IT resources as required.

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Risk distribution

Using multiple cloud providers reduces dependency on a single provider and spreads the risk across different platforms. If one provider has problems or outages, companies can quickly switch to another provider and maintain business operations.

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Best performance and cost optimization

By selecting the most suitable cloud platforms for different workloads and applications, companies can optimize performance and save costs at the same time. They can place certain workloads on platforms with better performance and others on more cost-efficient platforms.

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Avoidance of vendor lock-in

Using a multi-cloud environment allows companies to remain flexible and switch between cloud providers as required. This prevents over-dependence on a single provider and makes it easier to switch to a different platform if necessary.

In summary, using a multi-cloud environment offers companies the flexibility, scalability, risk distribution and cost efficiency to optimize their IT infrastructure and meet their business needs.

The challenges of multi-cloud management

However, managing networked multi-cloud environments is no easy task. The integration of different cloud solutions requires seamless data integration and comprehensive orchestration to ensure that applications and workloads work together. In addition, companies must ensure the smooth operation of the different platforms and remain flexible so that they can switch providers if necessary.

Another challenge is to maintain an overview of the distributed cloud environments. The availability of reliable multi-cloud management tools is crucial here. These tools help to reduce complexity and enable centralized control over the multi-cloud infrastructure. However, implementing and updating such tools requires careful planning and resources.

AWS as an accelerator for multi-cloud scenarios

AWS has recognized that companies face challenges when implementing a multicloud strategy. To support customers in this area, AWS offers a range of solutions and tools.

A central concern is to simplify the provision and management of workloads in a multicloud environment. AWS provides services such as AWS Control Tower and AWS Organizations that enable companies to centralize the management of their resources and accounts across multiple cloud environments. These solutions enable customers to implement policies and compliance requirements in a consistent and efficient manner.

In addition, AWS offers services such as AWS CloudFormation and AWS Service Catalog, which enable simple and automated provisioning of workloads across different cloud environments. With these tools, customers can manage and deploy infrastructure, applications and services in a consistent and repeatable manner.

AWS also focuses on security aspects. The AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) service enables companies to centrally manage access rights and security policies for their multicloud environments. AWS Security Hub also provides customers with a central point of contact for monitoring the security situation in their cloud environments, regardless of whether they use AWS or other cloud providers.

Another service not to be missed here is the AWS Outposts service, which allows companies to run AWS infrastructure and services in their own data centers and integrate seamlessly with the AWS cloud. With Outposts, organizations can run workloads in their on-premises environment while benefiting from the advantages of the AWS cloud, including scalability, elasticity and extensive service offerings.

AWS Transit Gateway is another important service that helps companies establish a seamless connection to other cloud providers. With Transit Gateway, companies can establish a central network connection to different clouds and efficiently route traffic between clouds. This simplifies the communication and integration of workloads in a multicloud environment.

External support for multi-cloud management

Given the complexity of multi-cloud management, companies are increasingly opting for support from experienced service providers. They can provide companies with the best possible advice on their multi-cloud journey and put together the best services from the various providers to suit the individual use case. With their expertise, they provide support in the optimal distribution of workloads, migration to the multi-cloud and operation of the various clouds.

An experienced partner can analyze a company's initial situation and develop a tailored multi-cloud strategy. This includes selecting the right technical infrastructure, carrying out proof-of-concepts and taking economic considerations into account. In addition, aspects such as application integration, security, reliability and load balancing play a decisive role.

When selecting a partner for multi-cloud management, it is important to look for extensive cloud expertise. The partner should offer platform-independent consulting and support to avoid vendor lock-in. A managed cloud service provider with expertise in at least one hyperscaler public cloud and skills in areas such as DevOps, agile development, automation and scalability is an advantage.

The provider should also offer a broad range of technologies in order to implement hybrid solutions and relieve companies of the burden of managing complex multi-cloud environments. By outsourcing multi-cloud management to an experienced partner, companies can concentrate on their core business and maintain an overview.

Conclusion

Multi-cloud management offers companies the opportunity to take advantage of different cloud providers and optimize their IT infrastructure. By selecting the right cloud management tools and working with experienced service providers, companies can master the complexity of multi-cloud management and benefit from the advantages of a flexible, powerful and secure IT infrastructure.

If you would like to find out more about multi-cloud management or need support in implementing a multi-cloud strategy, the cloud experts at plusserver will be happy to help. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

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