Making the move to hybrid hosting

From proper planning and cost implications, to technical issues and choosing the right provider, there’s a lot to consider with hybrid hosting. We know this can be daunting, so we’ve created this step-by-step guide on how to make the move as smooth as possible.

STEP 1: Is hybrid hosting right for you?

We’ve written about the benefits of hybrid hosting here. But it’s worth giving you a recap – just so you know if it’s the right choice for you:

• It’s cheaper – you can take advantage of off-site hosting, while still maintaining on-site hosting when it’s needed or is more cost effective.
• Better scalability – the public cloud is very flexible. You only pay for the resources you use, which means they can grow at their own pace – without worrying about the fixed costs of adding new users.
• Better security – you can keep your most sensitive data and mission critical applications on-site (behind the corporate firewall) while using the public cloud for less critical applications.

STEP 2: It’s all in the planning

Making a carefully developed plan is crucial. Before going ahead, you should:

• Involve the whole team – from management to IT, you should involve members from all across the business. It’s particularly important to prepare the IT team and other users for the transition – and after the transition.
• Know the costs – making the move will involve a one-time expense. You’ll have to consider buying new dedicated server, hiring more staff, paying startup fees, and other costs. The good thing is, you can recover most of this over time.

STEP 3: Preparation time

When it comes to migrating the workload, the best option might be to choose a solution that allows for fluid migration, or a container-like implementation. This helps avoid cloud lock-in and ensures that you can move your workload if needed.

It’s also wise to start small, moving only a few minor applications, to begin with. This will help you get used to the move, and reduce any risk that the plan will run over schedule and budget.

STEP 4: Choosing the right provider

You need to make sure you choose a partner that meet your needs. The things to look out for are:

• Performance and reliability – good providers should have a history of reliability and high performance – with strong uptime guarantees. They should also have a comprehensive technical support structure and dedicated contacts that can help if anything goes wrong.
• Flexibility – your provider should have the flexibility to align with your goals. This includes pricing options, the ability to easily handle changing workloads, and contract termination conditions.
• Hosting options – it’s important to choose a provider that offers a variety of hosting options to match your needs.

Ready to make your business grow?

We help all types of businesses set up their hybrid cloud. Our dynamic platform is simple, smart and flexible – allowing you to build a hybrid environment that meets your unique needs.

Just call us on 1800 004 943 or submit an online enquiry. We’re here to help.