Hybrid cloud a potential difference-maker

Organizations that want to work with some processes in the public cloud but are uncertain about moving their entire infrastructure can take heart. Hybrid deployments have become a standard feature of enterprise IT. Some Platform-as-a-Service deployments can be run in private clouds that are controlled internally for security and customizability or maintained in public environments that are optimized for expanding capacity and cost-efficiency.

Countering anti-cloud arguments
Some professionals who fight against cloud use may do so because they mistakenly believe a public deployment is the only option available. This is understandable, as the public cloud has become the face of the computing method: Purchasing off-site resources by subscription and sharing them with other tenants has come to be the primary definition of cloud computing in some circles. Potential users may argue that they cannot commit to this type of deployment, either because they need hands-on control over applications or due to regulatory pressure.

Not only is the private cloud available to give companies hosted resources that they can own and manage, it is also becoming increasingly accepted as part of a hybrid model, with some functions entrusted to the public cloud and others kept either in a private deployment or completely on-premise. This combination of architectures delivers the best of both worlds, giving business leaders a model to aim for when taking their first steps into the cloud.

For independent software vendors, the use of many different types of cloud hosting could also be incredibly advantageous. If multiple types of resources are available, clients can choose a model they are comfortable with. Options are always powerful when creating a piece of software for outside consumption, and the more options these development companies are able to offer, the more likely they are to coincide with the demands of the buyers, no matter the particular industry or vertical.

Choosing the right platform
Of course, if you want to create a hybrid deployment for your application development platform, it's important to pick a solution that can work within this architecture. This is where tools such as Progress® Pacific™ come in. This Platform-as-a-Service offering can be deployed in a variety of combinations, meaning you can work with some of its development and distribution features in each type of hosting.

This means guaranteed freedom in the way applications are built and used, which will likely be a boon to end-users. The well-known benefits of the cloud, such as low up-front costs, can also benefit the project.

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