What is multi-cloud and when is it worth implementing?

In this era of digital transformation and rapid development of cloud technologies, more and more companies are turning their attention to multi-cloud as an IT infrastructure management strategy. In this article, we will explain what exactly multi-cloud is, what its advantages and disadvantages are, and in which cases it is worth considering its implementation.

What is multi-cloud?

Multi-cloud is the strategy of using cloud services from different providers simultaneously. In practice, this means that a company can use, for example, AWS (Amazon Web Services) infrastructure to store data, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to analyse that data and Microsoft Azure to manage applications. Multi-cloud differs from hybrid cloud, where cloud resources (public and private) are combined with on-premises infrastructure.

With multi-cloud, organisations have access to a wide range of services and tools, allowing the infrastructure to be more flexible and efficient to meet specific business needs.

Key benefits of multi-cloud

1. Flexibility and independence from a single provider Choosing a single cloud provider carries the risk of vendor lock-in, i.e.dependence on a single platform. In a multi-cloud strategy, companies can use the best solutions from different providers, avoiding the limitations of a single platform's functionalities.
2. Cost optimisation Individual cloud providers offer different pricing models and discounts depending on the region or the specifics of the service. Multi-cloud allows you to choose the most cost-effective solutions for different parts of your infrastructure.
3. High availability and reliability Using more than one public cloud increases fault tolerance. If one platform has an outage, data or applications can be available in another cloud.
4. Improved efficiency The ability to choose a cloud provider based on the geographic location of end users helps reduce access times to data and applications.
5. Access to innovative technologies Each cloud provider offers unique services such as advanced analytics, machine learning or IoT features. Multi-cloud allows companies to benefit from the best technologies in each area.

Challenges associated with multi-cloud

Despite its many advantages, implementing a multi-cloud strategy is not without its challenges:

1. Management complexity Maintaining infrastructure across multiple clouds requires advanced technical expertise and tools to monitor and manage multiple environments.
2. Security and compliance Managing data security across different clouds can be difficult, especially in the context of meeting legal and regulatory requirements (e.g. RODO, HIPAA).
3. Operational costs Although multi-cloud optimises costs, at the same time it generates higher expenses associated with maintaining specialised IT teams and infrastructure management tools.
4. Integration of systems Ensuring consistency between different clouds can be complicated, especially when data needs to be moved between providers.

When is it worth implementing multi-cloud?

The decision to implement a multi-cloud strategy should be considered and based on specific business needs. Here are some scenarios where multi-cloud may be the best solution:

1. Minimising the risk of downtime Companies that cannot afford service interruptions (e.g. in the financial or e-commerce sectors) can use multi-cloud to ensure business continuity.
2. Global presence Organisations operating in multiple markets can use different clouds depending on the region to ensure the best performance for end users.
3. Diverse technology needs If your business uses advanced services such as AI, Big Data or Kubernetes, multi-cloud allows you to take advantage of the best tools offered by different providers.
4. Willingness to be independent of a single provider Multi-cloud is a strategy for companies that want to avoid the risk of vendor lock-in and retain flexibility in their choice of services.
5. Cost optimisation Companies that want to use the cheapest solution available can choose different clouds for different functions.

How do you successfully implement a multi-cloud strategy?

1. Developing a strategy To begin with, it is important to clearly define the business and technological objectives to be supported by multi-cloud. It is also important to consider budget and potential constraints.
2. Selecting the right suppliers It is worth carefully analysing the suppliers' offerings for their strengths in key areas for the company.
3. Using management tools There are platforms and solutions available on the market to manage multi-cloud environments, such as VMware, Kubernetes or Terraform.
4. Training the team The IT team should be knowledgeable about managing the infrastructure across different clouds, which may require additional training.
5. Data security It is important to ensure consistent security policies across all clouds used.

Summary

A multi-cloud strategy is a solution that can bring many benefits, such as greater flexibility, cost optimisation or access to modern technology. At the same time, it requires a thoughtful deployment strategy to minimise security, management and operational cost challenges.

It is worth considering multi-cloud if your company wants to become independent of a single provider, operates globally or requires advanced technologies in different business areas. Implementing this strategy is an investment in the future that will allow your organisation to better respond to changing market needs.

If you need help planning and implementing multi-cloud solutions, get in touch - Hostersi's team of experts is ready to help you at every stage of the transformation.