Companies prioritize multi-cloud data management strategies because of the security and cost savings they provide, which are both highly important in 2024. An effective multi-cloud strategy needs to be managed well across all platforms, and that’s where multi-cloud management tools are useful.To understand the best multi-cloud management tools, let’s take a look at what multi-cloud management is and why it's important.
What is multi-cloud computing? This is the use of 2 or more cloud providers for flexible and cost-effective application use, data storage, and infrastructure development.
What is multi-cloud management? Multi-cloud management aids multi-cloud computing approaches by unifying metadata across clouds, keeping cloud applications secure and compliant, and maintaining seamless operations for every user.
Before a multi-cloud approach, the most common way to store data and support applications was through a hybrid-cloud approach, which combines on-premises infrastructure with public cloud services. Organizations generally advised (or mandated) their development teams to use their preferred cloud partner. That strategy is now being broadened as competition and innovation unlock the potential for a more federated and decentralized model.
Multi-cloud strategies are now front and center for companies looking to save costs and use the best storage, application components, and models available.
Multi-cloud orchestration allows your business to be more agile and create a competitive edge. Benefits include:
Every cloud provider has one offering or service that stands out above their competition, and other offerings that don’t perform quite to that same standard. Multi-cloud computing allows your organization to consider all of these strengths and weaknesses across the range of cloud providers, and choose the best services from different providers all at once.
While performance is a high priority, so is cost-effectiveness. Rather than spending top dollar on every component, your organization can pick and choose how much to spend on different cloud applications. Base these decisions on your company’s needs and optimize spending by selecting the most cost-effective options.
While a multi-cloud strategy is internally useful for cost savings, flexibility, and security, it also optimizes user experience by providing the best-performing services in every area.
Overall, we highly recommend a multi-cloud approach. However, multi-cloud computing also comes with additional responsibilities across platforms.
If you’re implementing a multi-cloud strategy, it can complicate your efforts to incorporate data in your sales activities. Here are some challenges to be aware of:
Every cloud provider has its own approach to implementing security measures, but your organization needs consistent security policies across different clouds. This requires intentional, technical coordination.
Cost savings are a huge benefit of multi-cloud computing, but it also requires closely tracking changes in offerings across providers to ensure your costs remain optimized.
Using various cloud systems increases the possibility of data being siloed off between different parts of your company. Ensuring different systems work well together is a crucial element of creating a multi-cloud plan.
You need people in your company who can navigate each platform in use. These experts also need to be able to transfer data between systems and keep them in conversation with one another when needed.
The varied factors for multi-cloud orchestration can make the cost outweigh the benefits in some scenarios. That’s where multi-cloud management tools come in. Rather than trying to manage every cloud with your business’ internal capabilities, tools are available to do some of that heavy lifting for you. A few things to consider when shopping for multi-cloud management tools are:
Does this tool support all of the cloud platforms you use and integrate well with your existing systems?
Does the tool offer cost management, security, automation, and performance monitoring? If not, are you willing to compromise in any of these areas?
How user-friendly is this tool? Is it easy to use and navigate?
Can this tool grow with your business?
What kind of customer support is provided? Is the support reliable, and do they provide comprehensive documentation?
There are several multi-cloud management tool options available for your company in 2024. Consider your company’s data storage needs and computing priorities as you consider which tool might be the right fit.
Benefits: Manages cloud costs, governance, and security across multiple platforms.
Benefits: Extends Azure management to on-premises and multi-cloud environments.
Benefits: Manages Kubernetes clusters across multiple clouds.
Benefits: Manages applications in hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Benefits: Infrastructure as a code tool for provisioning across various cloud platforms.
The cloud governance landscape is always evolving as it becomes more sophisticated and user-friendly. Here’s what to expect from your multi-cloud management tool in the future:
More and more tasks will become automated, from deployment to scaling. This will make management easier and reduce manual work.
Integration is already a high priority, but you can expect the continued growth of seamless integration with various cloud services. It will only become easier to manage multiple platforms as if they were one.
Security features are becoming stronger and more intuitive, with better compliance tracking and threat detection.
AI can predict issues before they happen and optimize performance and costs dynamically. Foundational models have broken down the huge hurdle of translating data between toolkits so that cloud-to-cloud transitions are more accessible, even if you don’t have developers proficient in each platform.
Even when you are using multiple clouds, a multi-cloud tool creates a single pane of glass for managing all your clouds, providing access to real-time insights and straightforward data control.
Tools are increasing in user-friendliness, with simpler interfaces and more accessible features for non-experts.
In short, multi-cloud management tools will become smarter, more integrated, and easier to use, so businesses can fully benefit from their multi-cloud investments.
Kenway can help by providing expert advice and solutions tailored to your multi-cloud needs. Developing a multi-cloud strategy and choosing your management tool is a complex endeavor. We ensure seamless integration, robust security, and cost optimization. We also offer ongoing support and training to keep your team up-to-date.
Do you have questions about creating a multi-cloud management strategy? Kenway’s consultants are glad to bring you up to speed on the best tools for your particular company’s needs. Connect with a consultant today to learn how a multi-cloud tool could streamline your data organization and storage.
FAQs:
What are multi-cloud management tools?
These are tools designed to manage and synchronize a company’s data across two or more public clouds.
How do cloud management platforms enhance multi-cloud orchestration?
The manual burden of translating information between clouds is significant, and cloud management platforms ease that burden to create a seamless multi-cloud strategy.
Which tools are best for managing multiple cloud environments effectively in 2024?
