If your leadership team is rethinking your agency’s internal IT strategies, you’re not alone. From the efficiency of cloud computing to increased security standards and compliance requirements, the demands placed on state and local government IT systems seem to grow each year—and each year, your legacy systems struggle to keep up.
A hybrid system that blends new technology and old sounds like a great place to start your modernization process, but what does that really mean? Will you have to switch to the cloud immediately? What happens to the systems you currently use? And, most importantly: How much does it all cost?
We work with agencies large and small that ask these questions and more. Our advice centers around strategy, process, and technology. Today, we’ll take a look at the ins and outs of hybrid IT environments, and what agency IT leaders need to know before beginning the transition process.
What Is Hybrid, Anyway?
Simply put, a hybrid IT environment is an IT system that harnesses both onsite processes and cloud computing technology. Many consider this the best of both worlds, as this blend of old and new tech is often cheaper, highly flexible, and it’s easier to train staff through the transition if some of the process is familiar. While you might think that the word “hybrid” implies a stop on the journey to a cloud-only environment, that’s not always the case. Hybrid systems are often an end goal, not an in-between state, and can provide easy-to-customize processes and technology for years to come.
What Can Hybrid Do For My Agency?
A myriad of benefits come with a hybrid system, since it offers the ability to upgrade many outdated processes without necessarily replacing the hardware involved. You’ll be able to upgrade security to reflect modern standards, increase scalability, and customize everything to best serve your agency’s needs. Your agency will be able to serve your constituents more quickly and efficiently, as well as provide a wider range of services informed by the additional data you may now have access to. One of the big advantages of this model is that it is highly customizable, while still being scalable to your budget.
What can the hybrid IT model do for your agency? Pretty much anything you want it to.
How Should my Agency Go About Adopting A Hybrid Model?
Transitioning to a hybrid model is a little more complicated than adding some remote storage and calling it a day. The hybrid model can accommodate a diverse range of goals, but only if successful integrating with existing technology. With some systems on-site and some remote, ensuring that your operations continue to function smoothly and take full advantage of your new capabilities is a must. You will want to consult an experienced partner throughout this process to help integrate your legacy applications and work through infrastructure best practices and budget needs.
For more information on what benefits a hybrid IT model could bring to your agency, contact ISF today. Our team specializes in working alongside state governments and helping them solve the future through strategy, process, and technology. Wherever you are in the modernization process, we can bring our years of experience to bear to help you make your goals a reality. Let us know how we can help you bring your vision to life.