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What Is Multicloud? Key Benefits and How It Works

Introduction to Multicloud Computing

Businesses today rely heavily on cloud technologies for everything, from storing data to building AI-powered applications. But as companies grow, many realize something important: a multicloud approach can solve challenges that a single cloud provider cannot handle alone.

This is where multicloud computing becomes valuable. Instead of putting all workloads into one provider’s ecosystem, organizations combine services from multiple cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Each platform brings something unique to the table, and multicloud lets businesses take advantage of it all.

The move toward multicloud didn’t happen suddenly. Early cloud adopters were mostly focused on reducing hardware costs and improving scalability. Over time, however, depending on one provider created new risks, service outages, price fluctuations, or missing features. Multicloud gives businesses the flexibility to avoid these limitations and choose the right provider for every task.

Understanding Cloud Architecture Approaches

In simple terms, multicloud means using two or more public cloud providers at the same time. Instead of relying on a single platform for everything, you distribute workloads across different clouds based on performance, cost, or features.

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Common Architecture Models Used Today

1. Distributed Cloud

Workloads run across multiple clouds but are managed centrally.

2. Brokered Cloud

A single interface helps manage different clouds.

3. Layered Cloud

Applications are built so different layers run in different clouds.

How Multicloud Differs From Hybrid Cloud

Many people confuse multicloud with hybrid cloud, but they’re not the same.

Hybrid Cloud

  • Combines private cloud + public cloud
  • Data and apps move between both

Multicloud

  • Uses two or more public clouds together
  • Doesn’t require private cloud

In simple terms:

  • Hybrid cloud mixes two types of clouds
  • Multicloud mixes two providers

A business might choose:

  • AWS for computing power
  • Azure for enterprise software
  • Google Cloud for analytics

A complete multicloud environment usually includes:

  • Different cloud vendors
  • Tools for communication between platforms
  • A monitoring system that gives a unified view of all workloads

The goal isn’t just to split workloads, it’s to match each task with the most suitable cloud.

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