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The Great Cloud Repatriation

Why Businesses are Rethinking their Cloud Strategies

The public cloud revolutionised how businesses operate, offering unparalleled agility, scalability, and cost savings. However, a new trend is emerging: businesses are repatriating their data and workloads, moving back from public cloud platforms to on-premises and private cloud solutions. While this may seem like a step backward, it’s driven by the need for enhanced control, security, and cost optimisation, resulting in a growing realisation that the public cloud isn’t always the perfect fit.

The UK market has its own nuances. Brexit has amplified data sovereignty concerns, making on-premises and private cloud solutions more appealing. Additionally, the NHS and other public sectors are increasingly adopting hybrid models, combining public and private cloud for optimal efficiency.

Public Cloud: The Pros and Cons

Public cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google offer undeniable advantages. Their vast infrastructure allows for elastic scaling, on-demand resources, and a pay-as-you-go model that’s attractive for many businesses. Additionally, public cloud platforms offer constant innovation and a plethora of managed services, freeing up IT teams to focus on core business activities.

However, the public cloud isn’t without its drawbacks, unpredictable costs can arise from hidden fees, egress charges, and complex billing structures. Moreover, limited control and customisation can hinder specific business needs, particularly for highly regulated industries.

Enter the Private Cloud: A Tailored Solution

Private cloud offers a compelling alternative. By building and managing their own cloud infrastructure, businesses gain:

Enhanced Security and Control

Data resides within their own environment, ensuring compliance and addressing privacy and governance concerns.

Predictable Costs

Businesses have complete control over their infrastructure, allowing for transparent budgeting and avoiding unexpected cloud bills.

Tailored Customisation

Private cloud allows for specific configurations and integrations, catering to unique business needs and legacy systems.

Performance Optimisation

Dedicated resources and reduced network latency can lead to improved application performance and user experience.

The Repatriation Trend: Why Businesses are Making the Switch

A recent report by 451 Research found that 54% of surveyed businesses had repatriated workloads, and Gartner predicts public cloud spending growth to slow down in 2024. There are several factors driving this trend:

Growing Data Sensitivity

Stricter data privacy regulations like GDPR are prompting businesses to keep control of their data within their own boundaries.

Cost Concerns

As cloud usage matures, businesses are scrutinising public cloud bills and finding them to be more expensive than initially anticipated.

Hybrid IT Realities

Many businesses operate in hybrid environments, where both on-premises and cloud resources coexist. Private cloud offers a more seamless integration point for these complex systems.

Evolving Cloud Technology

The rise of mature open-source cloud platforms makes it easier and more cost-effective for businesses to build their own private clouds.

The Future of Cloud:

The cloud is not going away, but its role is evolving. Whilst public cloud will continue to be optimal for non-critical workloads, private cloud or on-premises solutions will be better utilised for sensitive data and performance-intensive applications.

The cloud repatriation trend is not about public cloud being bad, but rather about choosing the right tool for the job. Organisations are recognising the benefits of on-premises and private cloud, leading to a more nuanced and balanced cloud landscape in the future.

Multi-cloud, or put simply, the right workload in the right location will become the new normal.

If you’re a UK business owner or IT leader, consider seeking professional advice to navigate the evolving cloud landscape and find the perfect cloud fit for your unique needs.

Unsure About Cloud Repatriation? NG-IT is here to help.

At NG-IT, our team can guide you through this transition. Our expertise cover the entire journey, from cloud strategy assessment and repatriation planning to infrastructure deployment and ongoing management.

Here’s how we can help:

Expert Guidance

We’ll work with you to assess your current cloud usage, identify repatriation opportunities, and develop a tailored cloud strategy that aligns with your specific needs and objectives.

Secure and Compliant Solutions

Our deep understanding of data security and compliance, coupled with our secure infrastructure solutions, ensures your repatriated data remains protected and adheres to regulations like GDPR.

Cost Optimisation

We can offer a flexible, pay-as-you-go consumption model for private cloud, eliminating hidden fees and ensuring predictable costs. Additionally, our expertise in cloud cost optimisation can help you identify savings opportunities in both public and private cloud environments.

Seamless Integration

We specialise in seamlessly integrating repatriated workloads with existing on-premises systems or private cloud environments, ensuring a smooth transition and minimal disruption to operations.

Performance Optimisation

Our high-performance computing solutions power demanding workloads, ensuring optimal application performance and user experience in your private cloud environment.

Don’t go it alone!

Whether you’re considering repatriating specific workloads, building a secure private cloud, or optimising your existing hybrid cloud setup, NG-IT can offer the tools and knowledge to empower your cloud journey. We will work closely with you, ensuring you leverage the right cloud solution for the right workload, driving agility, security, and cost-effectiveness for your business.

Contact our team today to discuss your cloud strategy and unlock the full potential of the cloud for your organisation.

Blog written by

Amy Parkinson, Marketing and Demand Creation Manager

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyparkinson26

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