9621 Agnes Crossing, Lake Suzanneview, New Mexico Island 84604-9295.
Today’s IT landscape is characterized by complexity: workloads and data are distributed everywhere. In an IT environment that is inherently hybrid, you stay in control. Many IT managers
Today’s IT landscape is characterized by complexity: workloads and data are distributed everywhere. In an IT environment that is inherently hybrid, you stay in control.
Many IT managers today suffer from decision-making stress. There are countless ways to set up your IT environment, but which one offers the best solution? Do you choose the cloud or stay on-premises? These are the questions we ask Stèphane Lahaye, Managing Director of HPE BeLux, and we can predict his answer in advance.
HPE has long been a proponent of hybrid cloud, where workloads are distributed across cloud and on-premises infrastructure based on where each workload feels at home. Lahaye confirms this: “We have been with HPE for about ten years and our strategy has always remained the same from day one. The current commercial success is the result of this.”
Data and workloads are everywhere today. The idea of a hybrid cloud already seems to be well received by Belgian companies, emphasizes Lahaye. “On average, fifty percent of investments are made on-premises and fifty percent in the cloud. Within the cloud, this is about 60 percent public cloud and 40 percent private cloud.”
“Our customers often find themselves in these three environments. The edge also comes into play,” says Lahaye, describing the situation in the Belgian IT landscape.
Lahaye also admits that the separation between on-prem and cloud hasn’t necessarily made things any easier. “Customers are discussing with us how they can manage this hybrid environment cost-effectively. IT is constantly evolving. What is where now could be somewhere else next year. There is no simple solution to a complex problem. Moving everything on-premises or to the cloud just doesn’t work.”
Moving everything on-premises or to the cloud doesn’t work. IT is constantly evolving.
Stéphane Lahaye, Managing Director HPE BeLux
Until a few years ago Cloud first A popular idea in the IT industry, but this dogma is now outdated. For Lahaye it is clear why. “You gradually realize that certain technical environments simply cannot migrate to the cloud. So it has a lot to do with technical reasons.”
But financial motives also play a role. “The promise that the cloud is cheaper than on-prem has not been fulfilled,” says Lahaye. “Cloud can be cheaper, but it can also be much more expensive. It is a very changeable event. It’s this lack of predictability that’s a big problem for companies that struggle to budget for everything. They don’t know how much the cloud will cost them next year. If it turns out to be more expensive than planned, then that’s a problem.”
Lahaye and HPE have nothing against the public cloud, but there are more than good reasons to keep IT (partially) on-premises. “On-prem means that you keep certain knowledge in-house. This makes you more independent from third parties. Companies today are bound to change, but still want to retain as much control as possible.”
But organizations that operate their infrastructure on site also face challenges. “People who are familiar with specific IT environments are often in short supply. If you don’t outsource your IT, you remain responsible for operational tasks such as security. Once you buy something, it’s yours. Customers are asking HPE to relieve them of this burden. This is anchored at GreenLake, but we also have local partners who take on operational tasks for customers.”
For HPE, the solution lies in a hybrid cloud. Hybrid cloud doesn’t just mean randomizing workloads on-premises and in the cloud. There must be a clear plan behind this, as HPE describes it Hybrid by design. Lahaye provides more text and explanations.
“The idea is to build your IT infrastructure knowing that certain workloads are in the cloud and others are on-premises. Tools in GreenLake like ObsRamp allow you to determine where a workload will be now and in the future. It’s important that workloads can shift.”
Data is the compass that shows direction. Lahaye: “You need to know where your data is and where it is created. Fifty percent of data is now created outside of the traditional data center. You can connect everything and that creates data: you have more data than code.”
“Some data is only useful in the short term, while others need to be monitored for years,” he continues. “Then you have to ask yourself where this data can best be stored. Migration costs money and increases the risk of duplication of work. That’s why it’s better to process data where it is, if possible.”
HPE helps companies find the ideal balance between cloud and on-prem. Lahaye: “Our consultants talk to customers about their current challenges, their plans and how they will develop further. Gartner advised five years ago to have an “exit plan” in place if you want to leave the cloud. The world of today is no longer the same as the world of tomorrow.”
The lack of predictability in the cloud is a big problem.
Stéphane Lahaye, Managing Director HPE BeLux
Flexibility and control are at the heart of HPE’s hybrid strategy. “As a company, you have to make sure you can make adjustments at any time,” says Lahaye. “That’s why you should keep your knowledge within the company as much as possible. If you outsource everything to an external provider, you make yourself dependent and risk either overpaying or not offering the right solutions.”
“This limits diversification in the market. If everyone is using the same technology, how can you differentiate yourself to stay competitive? We don’t believe in black or white. For us, the future of IT is gray,” Lahaye concludes his argument.
It’s the year 2024 and we’re also talking about AI. Like any self-respecting tech company, HPE is playing the AI card. In fact, the company doesn’t just want to join in, but is convinced that its hybrid strategy will put it ahead of the game. At Discover in June, HPE called AI “the ultimate hybrid workload.”
We address these words from his colleagues again to Lahaye, who unsurprisingly agrees with this opinion. “AI and especially the way in which a business case can be developed from it is very popular with our customers. A hybrid cloud offers advantages in terms of data protection. I don’t want to say that cloud solutions are insecure, but on-premises you have more options to access data.”
Lahaye refers again to the cost argument. “As you use more AI applications, the bill in the cloud will increase quickly. AI requires a lot of testing and trial and error. A private AI solution then helps to keep costs under control. Once again, it’s about giving yourself the choice of what to put where.”
What does the whole AI thing mean for SMEs that don’t have the budget to invest in expensive infrastructure? Don’t you rely on the cloud? “There are actually private platforms that have an ‘entrance ticket’ of half a million euros or more. We also know that SMBs won’t do that,” admits Lahaye, but that doesn’t mean HPE’s story necessarily excludes SMBs.
“When we talk to SMEs about AI, it’s often about use cases. Companies are actively considering what they will do with AI. I believe that more and more solutions will emerge that are tailored to medium-sized businesses. There are parties that focus on this and can really help SMEs. You can now get started on some server platforms for 40,000 to 50,000 euros,” Lahaye continued.
Lahaye gives one final piece of advice: “I would advise every company to think intensively about AI and obtain the necessary information.” This is really an irreversible development.”
We don’t believe in black or white. For us, the future of IT is gray.
Stéphane Lahaye, Managing Director HP BeLux
This is an editorial contribution in collaboration with HPE. Click here for more information about the company’s solutions.
Source: IT Daily
As an experienced journalist and author, Mary has been reporting on the latest news and trends for over 5 years. With a passion for uncovering the stories behind the headlines, Mary has earned a reputation as a trusted voice in the world of journalism. Her writing style is insightful, engaging and thought-provoking, as she takes a deep dive into the most pressing issues of our time.
