Windows Azure Hybrid Cloud

2 Why Is the Hybrid Cloud Important to My Business?

IN THIS CHAPTER:

• Understanding why you should (or shouldn't) move to a hybrid cloud solution
• Making a case for a hybrid cloud
• Looking at some practical applications

Originally, the content for this chapter was part of Chapter 1, but after some long discussion, we decided the topic merited its own chapter. After some long discussion we decided that it required its own section. Delving into this topic will have a deep and lasting impact on the justification of moving to a hybrid cloud solution. Although there are myriad reasons to begin an organization's journey toward leveraging hybrid cloud solutions, it is best practice to specifically pinpoint the reasons that will justify the initial investment, operational costs, or transitional changes that are often necessary when migrating or leveraging these solutions. In doing so, your business will have a well laid out plan in expanding your service addressable market, lowering operational costs, or simply becoming more agile in your day-to-day operations. In any case, here are a few reasons that do not justify moving to a hybrid cloud solution:

• Because everyone else is doing it
• To cut costs for the short term
• To outsourcing data security responsibilities

So before we delve into reasons why your organization should move to a cloud solution, we want to look at these reasons that do not justify that course of action.

THE VALUE OF GAINING EXECUTIVE SPONSORSHIP

Near the end of 2010 ...