Multi-cloud is a cloud practice that entails the use of two or more cloud computing services. A multi-cloud approach allows for enterprises to reap the specific benefits of different clouds, such as vendor variances in architecture and application features, and mitigate risks inherent to single-cloud storage.

WHY USE MULTI-CLOUD?

Organizations choose multi-cloud strategies for a number of reasons.

With a multi-cloud approach, a customer can customize cloud-computing capabilities (e.g. storage) with the combination of clouds that provide different services. A blend of the proper IaaS options increases compute capabilities and leads to greater efficiency. Users can access any cloud or multiple clouds through one interface.

Adoption also allows for greater control of access, determining which clouds can be used by which users and when.

There are additional security benefits for multi cloud storage. Distributing data across multiple clouds reduces the risk of catastrophic failure, which also mitigates financial downside.

Multi-cloud architecture also protects against shadow IT or infrastructures used by employees without the knowledge or oversight of the IT department.

However, it also comes with some significant liabilities. Cloud silos are an inevitable by-product of an multi-cloud environment. Individual cloud data services vendors have proprietary data management APIs, multi cloud architecture, and also require vendor-specific DevOps skills. These can lead to higher overhead and issues with seamless data portability.

CROSS-CLOUD

The full benefit of multi-cloud will remain unfulfilled until data can be easily replicated and shared between cloud and geos. Cross-cloud provides a compelling solution.

Governmental organizations. which face pressure to increase data access, consolidate functions and rein in costs, can benefit from a multi-cloud strategy. A strong multi-cloud strategy can help to meet all of these requirements. Read more about multi-cloud in government in this eBook: Why a Multi-Cloud, Cross-Cloud Strategy Makes Sense for Government Organizations.

Read more about cross-cloud here or download the eBook, Why Your Multi-Cloud Strategy Needs a Cross-Cloud Foundation.

Snowflake enables businesses to unify data management and data sharing across multi-cloud and cross-cloud environments, providing a single source of data truth.