Three problems with hybrid IT
First, there was on-premises technology. Then cloud-based applications came along. Now, in trying to get the best of both worlds, there is hybrid IT.
Hybrid IT is quickly becoming the preferred IT infrastructure. In fact, research has shown that 61% of businesses globally have a hybrid cloud model in place. A hybrid model can mean different things to different people, but in general it refers to when a business uses a mix of on-premises servers as well as the cloud (public, private, or both).
More specifically, some applications either use both platforms to deliver their workload or connect a cloud-based application to an on-premises application for further processing. This means your application support teams must monitor both platforms and be able to see the effect of the combined hybrid estate.
This is where the problems start
Managing a hybrid IT estate does not come without challenges. The complex nature of managing multiple systems means that financial institutions must have a comprehensive strategy in place to maximise the benefits of both platforms.
1. Cloud costs
As companies migrate from on-premises servers to the cloud, or deploy new applications in the cloud, operating a hybrid model allows them to manage this transition carefully and gradually. It is simply not possible to migrate to the cloud overnight. The flexibility of renting in the cloud helps with faster provisioning of new servers and helps with short-term peak loads. However, the cost of cloud is not always appreciated at the outset. It is often more expensive than the fixed on-premises estate.
Nevertheless, operating such a model has offered businesses benefits that can’t be matched by opting for either a fully cloud or on-premises solution. The unparalleled flexibility and scalability of hybrid IT means that it has become more than just a stepping-stone.
2. One size does not fit all
Due to each platform’s unique benefits and capabilities, certain applications are better suited to the cloud while others are better run on-premises. For example, financial exchanges require low-latency networks for trading - due to microsecond delays impacting profitability per transaction.
This means it's better for this kind of business-critical infrastructure to be managed on-premises. Whereas the cloud is far more scalable, which is beneficial if financial institutions are expecting a surge in demand. Remember the start of the COVID-19 pandemic? There was a significant increase in users of online banking services as in-person branches shut down in the face of global lock downs.
Today, firms can easily scale up to meet this service level as having both systems in place means they can quickly adapt their IT systems to levels never previously experienced.
3. Lack of visibility and control
If you have one monitoring system for storage, one for application performance and one for networks, it prevents IT teams from being able to fully understand what is happening at a high level at any point in time.
A single bird's-eye view will help you understand the capacity of your IT estate. Also, should a problem occur, getting to the source of it will be far easier when all operations can be viewed in one place. Few tools can monitor all the necessary elements well, so integration between tools is key.
Monitoring is the answer
As long as hybrid IT dominates, it is important to invest in the right monitoring tools to ensure you manage everything effectively. Constant monitoring and adaption is the only way to ensure always-on systems remain resilient and that your consumers are always protected in today’s fast-paced financial landscape.
Learn more about how Geneos gives you peace of mind by monitoring your processes, applications, and IT infrastructure, on-premises, in the cloud and in dynamic containerised environments.
