How businesses can engage the hybrid cloud

What is a “hybrid cloud”?

Is it 1) an environment where applications and processes exist both in the public and private cloud and on premise? Or is it 2) a combination public/private cloud without an on-premise component?

For the sake of this discussion, we’ll concede definition 1.

Clarifying this concept is important because the vast majority of cloud-adopting organisations – which is to say the vast majority of organisations, period – are about to become hybrid-cloud-adopting organisations, and for good reason: they’re not ready to simply switch off their existing on-premise systems – legacy systems that already have significant business and operational value – and re-invent them in the cloud.

Let’s clarify this hybrid notion with a simple example of a business process nearly all organisations are familiar with: the HR onboarding process.

  1. Onboarding begins: A cloud-based recruiting system is used to identify a candidate. When the candidate is hired …