Managing a multicloud environment: Pitfalls and strategies

Cloud computing has become the backbone of business operations, and using a single cloud provider to fuel these operations has become increasingly rare. According to the Pluralsight State of Cloud report, 65% of organizations currently operate in a multicloud environment. 

What is the world of multicloud like? David Tucker, Founder of MindMill Consulting, and Steve Buchanan, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft, sat down to explore multicloud strategies, advantages, and disadvantages. Here are the key takeaways from their conversation.

Check out the Pluralsight cloud transformation strategy guide for more insights from cloud experts.

• Differences between single cloud, multicloud, and hybrid cloud strategies
• Why do organizations use a multicloud environment?
  • Top benefits of a multicloud strategy
• Why you should (or shouldn’t) adopt a multicloud strategy
• Common multicloud mistakes
• How to reduce multicloud complexity
  • Is Kubernetes the answer to multicloud complexity?
  • Will abstraction layers eliminate the complexity of multicloud?
  • Multicloud calls for a well-defined learning strategy
• Your multicloud strategy requires cloud skills

You can probably guess the difference between single cloud, multicloud, and hybrid cloud strategies simply by their names. But let’s define them to make sure we’re talking the same (cloud) language:

• Single cloud: Organizations with a single cloud strategy select one cloud vendor for their computing needs. This approach simplifies operations but may lead to vendor lock-in.

• Multicloud: Organizations that use a multicloud strategy tap into cloud services from multiple cloud providers. This approach offers flexibility but requires expertise in managing diverse cloud environments.

• Hybrid cloud: Organizations with a hybrid cloud strategy combine public and private cloud services. This approach is best for situations where some data or applications require on-premises hosting while others benefit from the scalability of the public cloud.

Many organizations find themselves working in a multicloud environment by integration rather than intention. As systems evolve, they may decide to integrate with various cloud providers to address diverse needs, which leads to a multicloud architecture. However, some organizations strategically choose multicloud for its myriad benefits.

Let's dive into the reasons why many organizations adopt a multicloud strategy:

• Flexibility: Organizations that seek flexibility at the department, team, or project level may choose a multicloud strategy so they can select the most suitable cloud environment for specific tasks.

• Resiliency: Multicloud architectures can help improve resiliency and business continuity, ensuring applications remain available even if one cloud provider experiences downtime.

• Best-of-breed services: Leveraging the best cloud-native services from multiple providers means organizations can access cutting-edge technologies tailored to their needs.

• Avoiding vendor lock-in: When organizations follow a multicloud strategy, they distribute their cloud workload across multiple providers. This approach helps prevent vendor lock-in and reduce concentration risks.

• Acquisitions and growth: Mergers, acquisitions, legacy efforts, or organic growth may lead orgs to opt for a diverse cloud environment.

• Cost optimization: Multicloud can serve as a cost optimization strategy. Organizations can select the most cost-effective provider for specific workloads.

Explore the pros and cons of multicloud networking.

Multicloud architecture is a wise choice for organizations looking for: 

• Risk mitigation: By diversifying across multiple cloud providers, organizations reduce the risk of downtime or data loss due to provider-specific issues. For example, if one provider experiences an outage, organizations can shift services to another provider.

• Easier compliance: For organizations that operate in industries or regions with different data sovereignty and compliance requirements, multicloud architecture can help them host data in geographically dispersed locations to comply with regulations.

• Cost savings: In some cases, using different cloud providers can allow organizations to take advantage of various pricing models and discounts by distributing workloads strategically. 

On the other hand, small and early mid-sized organizations may face challenges when adopting multicloud if they spread themselves too thin across multiple clouds. This can lead to:

• Complexity: Managing diverse cloud environments demands a skilled workforce, which smaller organizations may lack.

• Security concerns: Multicloud introduces additional security considerations, and organizations of this size may struggle to address them effectively.

• Networking challenges: Networking in multicloud environments can be complex, and smaller organizations may find it challenging to maintain robust network infrastructure.

If your organization has decided to adopt a multicloud strategy, you may face the following pitfalls: 

• Going in too early: Rushing into multicloud without a clear strategy often leads to confusion and inefficiencies.

• Adopting a vendor-driven cloud strategy: Blindly follow a single vendor's cloud strategy and you could end up with an approach that doesn’t align with your organization's actual needs.

• Lacking ownership: Someone needs to own the strategy within the organization to achieve multicloud success.

• Choosing cloud solutions over upskilling: To fully use cloud capabilities, orgs need to balance investing in cloud solutions with upskilling their workforce. 

• Only thinking resiliency: While resiliency is vital, multicloud should serve the organization's broader strategic goals.

• Creating shadow IT: Adopting multiple clouds independently across different departments can lead to uncoordinated, unmanageable environments.

• Making every app multicloud: Not every application benefits from multicloud architecture. Attempting to make all applications multicloud may cause unnecessary complexity.

Complexity is one of the biggest barriers to multicloud success. While you can’t completely eliminate it, there are a few things you can do to reduce it. Let’s take a look at some approaches organizations have used.

Kubernetes is a common choice for container orchestration. While all major cloud providers support Kubernetes, the implementations vary significantly. Security models, managed services, and setup details differ across platforms, which introduces more complexity.

Abstraction layers have the potential to simplify multicloud management by providing a unified interface. This helps provide a greater level of standardization and consistency. One of the most popular solutions for abstracting the intricacies of multicloud environments is Metacloud. 

However, by nature, multicloud environments require the management of multiple cloud providers, services, and APIs. Abstraction layers can’t completely eliminate the associated nuances.

One of the most reliable ways to reduce complexity and succeed in multicloud is with a well-defined learning strategy that helps teams acquire the necessary tech skills for managing diverse cloud environments. 

Make sure your strategy includes upskilling and reskilling in cybersecurity and networking. Last but definitely not least, invest in robust security measures and ensure networks seamlessly operate in multicloud environments.

Explore the five pillars of cloud security.

Ultimately, multicloud success relies on cloud skills. Organizations that invest in building their team’s cloud proficiency elevate their multicloud strategy and harness the full potential of diverse cloud environments. 

Looking for more insights on constructing a multicloud strategy? Check out our course, The Right Way to Craft a Multicloud Strategy. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll learn how to harness the top benefits of multicloud architecture for your organization. 

Still not enough? Explore the Pluralsight cloud transformation strategy guide for more insights from cloud experts.