In recent years, storing data on the cloud has emerged as the best way to ensure privacy and security. Unlike traditional systems, the cloud is much more difficult to hack into, automatically creates backup of files to ensure there is no loss in information and enables remote access to authorized users no matter where they are located. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more crucial to work out of the cloud as the entire workforce is now working remotely. Many companies in India had already migrated some of their functions to the cloud, but the pandemic has forced them to move their operations in their entirety to a cloud-based system.

But while almost every company has acknowledged the advantages of moving to the cloud, it can be challenging to find the provider that meets all of their requirements. This is why adopting a multi-cloud strategy can be the best approach.

 

What is a multi-cloud approach?

As the name suggests, a multi-cloud strategy involves utilizing multiple cloud providers. Companies have many varied needs which a single provider might not be able to provide. Because of this, choosing various providers that can each fulfill a specific part of your requirements and combining them to implement a cohesive cloud infrastructure is the best way forward.

Multi-cloud management is often confused with a hybrid-cloud approach, but there are several important distinctions between the two. In a hybrid cloud infrastructure, a business combines public and private cloud systems so that they can keep certain functions of their business under tighter security while still benefiting from the efficiency that a public cloud offers.

Why do Indian companies need a multi-cloud strategy?

In light of the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, there are several critical reasons why Indian companies need to move to a multi-cloud approach.
1. Efficiency: Despite the entire workforce working from home, it’s critical that employees are as productive and efficient as they were when working within the office premises. Multi-cloud management can go a long way in ensuring this because it can resolve many of the hiccups that can occur when moving to a remote work environment. Since the requirements of employees from different departments with distinct functions can be varied, a multi-cloud approach will help meet each of their requirements.
Also read: 5 ways for businesses to work efficiently during the lockdown
2. Security: A multi-cloud strategy can offer greater security when working remotely. This is especially crucial for Indian companies who deal with large amounts of sensitive information and can be a target for malicious attacks.
3. Seamless integration:Most companies work out of various applications, CRMs and CMS. A multi-cloud strategy can ensure that each of these applications is compatible with your cloud network and available for registered users to access them. Choosing a single cloud system might not offer this benefit because some applications might not be able to connect to it. This can hamper the productivity of your employees.
4. Faster updates:Each cloud provider will routinely roll out updates and new features. Working with multiple cloud systems at once can help you gain access to the latest features offered by each provider. This can be an important way for Indian companies to gain a competitive edge in the crowded market.
5. Flexibility: By engaging with only a single cloud provider, companies run the risk of becoming overly-reliant on that provider. Internal systems are built around a single cloud network and SLAs become more rigid. This can severely hamper a company from moving to a new cloud provider because it will involve a drastic overhaul in its current systems and processes. A multi-cloud strategy on the other hand will ensure that your processes remain dynamic and you can switch providers any time your business needs to scale up or expand.
6. Lower risk: Working with multiple cloud vendors helps you mitigate the risks involved in working with a sole provider. In the latter scenario, all of your internal operations could come to a standstill if the provider runs into an issue. A multi-cloud approach will allow you to simply switch to another network if this happens.
Large-scale adoption of a multi-cloud approach in India is a question of ‘when’ and not ‘if’. The country-wide lockdown has acted as a catalyst for this shift and businesses are increasingly realizing the importance of working from the cloud. This is also unlikely to be a temporary change; many businesses expect to continue to implement remote working solutions long after the lockdown has been lifted. The future of Indian business operations certainly appears to be going the multi-cloud route.

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