Global spending on cloud services reached $129 billion (USD) in 2020 — a 34% increase from the previous year, surpassing total spend on traditional data centres. As businesses want more flexibility to meet modern challenges, cloud computing seems like the perfect solution. Companies can outsource their processing and storage needs to remote servers, and run core business functions from anywhere in the world.
However, cloud computing invites some security and operational complexities that can hinder businesses from taking the plunge and embracing digital transformation opportunities. How can businesses enjoy the benefits of cloud computing without compromising on data security or stable business expenditure?
Find out how to blend your IT infrastructure with MuleSoft hybrid architecture below. Uncover new productivity and customer experience solutions without risking the safety of your data. In this article, we’ll also cover:
- Why are businesses using cloud computing?
- Why are businesses hesitant to transition fully?
- What is MuleSoft hybrid architecture?
- How does MuleSoft hybrid architecture work?
- Does my business need MuleSoft hybrid architecture?
Why are businesses using cloud-computing?
Before the arrival of cloud computing, businesses would buy physical computing hardware to build on-site data centres or server rooms and maintain them in-house.
On-premises hosting is extremely expensive. IT equipment has hard capacity limitations and it’s difficult to make any changes. Businesses were forced to hire from a limited talent pool of specialists that could use their specific system. Under a legacy system, companies that underwent rapid growth would have to expand their data centre infrastructure to stay competitive on processing speeds.
Small businesses were particularly hard hit by these costs. ‘Tech’ became synonymous with the constant risk of wasting vital capital. Businesses were keen to find a workaround but the data centre model remained the dominant IT management method for decades.
Though it dates back to the late 1960s and ‘70s, ‘cloud computing’ as we know it today has grown since 2011. Major tech companies like Amazon, IBM, Microsoft and Google launched cloud computing packages helping firms outsource their cloud computing infrastructure.
Over the last decade, businesses have fundamentally changed how they invest in their IT infrastructure: increasingly opting to outsource and pay for what they need in real-time. As a result, businesses have reduced their capital expenditure using cloud computing, scaling more flexibly and avoiding the hassle of maintaining on-site data servers.
Why are businesses hesitant to transition fully?
Unfortunately, cloud computing isn’t a perfect solution as security is a major concern.
Businesses in more sensitive industries like health, finance and defence have concerns over outsourcing data to remote servers they don’t control directly. Firms must weigh the efficiency gains versus the vulnerability they invite from outsourcing their data.
Should a hack occur, businesses are understandably hesitant to take the liability for any lost data they didn’t manage in the first place. Instead, maintaining direct control over their IT infrastructure (whether for protective or compliance reasons) remains a key reason why businesses won’t make the full switch to cloud computing.
Cloud computing isn’t always the fastest or cheapest method, either. Local data processing helps on-site devices communicate faster than if it were routed to cloud servers along the way. Industries using time-sensitive automated equipment, in particular, find that cloud solutions aren’t feasible for them.
Similarly, businesses face unexpected costs from cloud computing providers if their usage suddenly increases, making budget forecasts challenging.
What is MuleSoft hybrid architecture?
MuleSoft hybrid architecture is a feature of the MuleSoft platform that allows businesses to blend their IT infrastructure across multiple environments. Businesses can use a combination of on-premises data centres and remote cloud servers to share data more strategically across their operations.
Hybrid architecture matters because businesses can access the flexibility of cloud computing while maintaining the security and reliability of local data centres. Companies can maximise their computing resources using the on-site data centres they’ve already invested in and expand their operations across cloud solutions as they need.
How does MuleSoft hybrid architecture work?
MuleSoft uses ‘APIs’ (or application programming interfaces) to integrate different devices and software. APIs act as messengers, opening channels for information to flow and carrying data regardless of the file format, programming language or operating system.
Unlike other methods like custom code pathways, APIs are reusable and scalable, allowing businesses to apply MuleSoft across their IT architecture to tackle a broad range of strategic challenges.
Does my business need MuleSoft hybrid architecture?
Modern businesses are at a crossroads. Consumers increasingly expect a seamless customer experience filled with personalised choices, fast loading times and a wealth of information to guide their purchasing decisions. Yet, a well-integrated IT infrastructure (at a minimum) is needed to facilitate these experiences.
Even if your business already has a loyal customer base and a strong brand, a hybridised IT architecture is vital if you want to modernise your business and achieve sustainable growth. MuleSoft hybrid architecture can automate internal processes, link staff working across the globe and scale with your business.
Modernise your business with MuleSoft hybrid architecture
Grow your business with a custom collection of cloud-based tools and integrate your business under the MuleSoft platform. Meet the modern challenges of consumer experience, automation, data security and flexible working with MuleSoft’s hybrid architecture tools.
MuleSoft’s API-based approach allows you to update legacy devices to build a customised data architecture and IT architecture fit for your future.
Access the full power of MuleSoft with makepositive
makepositive is a Platinum Salesforce Partner with a dedicated team of MuleSoft experts. We can help you implement MuleSoft features and architectural configurations to meet your data needs with scale in mind.
Get in touch with us at [email protected] and learn where MuleSoft and other Salesforce solutions can take your business.
