“We’ve seen the future and it is cloudy!” If you work in Oracle ERP you’ve been hearing that for decade. And today you’re still hearing it alongside another cliché such as “The Future Is Now!”
For a long time, Oracle E-Business Suite users have known that moving to the Cloud isn’t a question of “If” but rather of “When.” And “When” is now.
However, despite what corporate Cloud PR machines might want you to believe, for many organizations moving your entire ERP footprint to the Cloud immediately isn’t feasible yet.
Fortunately for Oracle E-Business Suite users “Cloud vs. On Premise” isn’t an either/or question because a Hybrid Cloud solution for Oracle EBS can be an excellent option for many companies – if they manage a few key considerations.
In this blog post, we’ll start the process of managing those considerations by debunking 5 key myths that fog up the way Oracle EBS on a Hybrid Cloud is commonly viewed.
Myth #1 – To Gain Agility You MUST Migrate to a Public Cloud or SaaS Solution
Agility. It’s one of the game-changing benefits the Cloud delivers regardless of which ERP solution you use.
There’s a common perception that the only way to gain agility through the Cloud is by migrating to a Public Cloud or SaaS platform. This perception is so common it’s become conventional wisdom.
This is one case where conventional wisdom is little more than a myth. The truth is that a Hybrid Cloud solution offers Oracle E-Business Suite users excellent agility. In a Hybrid Cloud users leverage existing investments and solutions that work best on-premise or in a Private Cloud while taking advantage of other ERP solution components that work best when placed on other cloud platforms.
A simple example of this could be a company that keeps production environments on a Private Cloud to optimize performance, while placing other, non-production workloads in a Public Cloud.
Myth #2 – Start Ups or Companies New to ERP Should Ignore a Hybrid Cloud
Conventional wisdom also holds that startups or companies that are implementing ERP solutions for the first time only need to consider the Public Cloud (or SaaS).
This might be true for some companies, but in many cases, companies who are new to ERP would also be wise to consider Hybrid Cloud. Why?
HIPPA regulations offer a quick example. Companies of all sizes must comply with HIPPA regulations, and a Hybrid Cloud solution can be a cost-effective route to compliance, because it allows you to keep sensitive data on-premise or within a Private Cloud whose security configuration has been uniquely tailored to meet your needs.
The recent EU Court of Justice decision to strike down the US-EU Privacy Shield offers another example. One of the potential ramifications of this decision is that US companies who have data on EU citizens could be required to store that data on servers located in the EU.
If this comes to pass, at some point SaaS and Public Cloud providers will find a way to meet this requirement, but it is also easy to see a scenario where a company meets this need with a Hybrid Cloud solution that features servers dedicated to storing EU-based data.
Myth #3 – The Hybrid Cloud is Less Secure than Other Cloud Options
Because it involves more moving parts many stakeholders assume that a Hybrid Cloud is naturally going to be less secure than a Public, Private or On Premise Oracle EBS instance.
The truth is that every Oracle EBS solution, including an On-Premise Oracle E-Business Suite instance, needs to have a 4-pillar security posture that encompasses:
- Endpoint Protection
- Perimeter Security (Firewall & IDS/IPS)
- Vulnerability Assessment & Management Protocols
- SEIM (Security Information & Event Management) Policies
Is there more complexity involved in managing security on a Hybrid Oracle E-Business Suite environment than there is in managing a homogenous EBS environment? Yes. But well-managed, Hybrid Cloud EBS instance should be just as secure as a well-managed on Premise or Public or Private Cloud environment.
Myth #4 – Hybrid Clouds are Too Expensive to Deploy
Because a Hybrid Cloud encompasses multiple components – often times from distinct vendors – it is easy to assume it is going to cost more.
Frequently, the reverse is going to be true, as adopting a Hybrid Cloud model allows you to optimize the operational efficiencies across your solution, thereby lowering your Total Cost of Ownership in Oracle EBS.
Myth #5 – Hybrid Clouds are Too Hard to Manage
Like the myth above about security, this myth appears to be rooted in common sense – the more diverse your environment the more difficult it must be to manage.
Appearances deceive. The truth is that managing a Hybrid Cloud does present a different set of challenges to an Oracle EBS Application Manager, but those challenges are not necessarily more difficult to meet.
It is important to remember that effective ERP management in the Cloud is driven by an overriding principle that applies to all Public, Private and Hybrid solutions:
Technology only represents one piece of the puzzle.
Having the right talent and the right tools is critical to the successful management of your Oracle E-Business Suite solution regardless of your cloud choice.
Start Establishing Your “Cloud Comfort Zone” Today
For decades, on premise Oracle E-Business Suite has formed the backbone of financial systems for tens of thousands of organizations in every imaginable industry in each corner of the globe. Shifting Oracle EBS to the Cloud understandably pushes long-time users outside of their comfort zone. Fortunately, you need not remain there long.
The best way to establish your “cloud comfort zone” is to begin educating yourself on which cloud option is right for your organization. You can start by downloading our white paper, “Cloud 101 for Oracle E-Business Suite Users.”
If want to take a deeper dive, we invite you to view the following webinars from our Public Cloud vs Private Cloud for Oracle ERP series:
- Where should Oracle ERP Workloads Live?
- The Business Case for the Private Cloud for Oracle ERP
- The Business Case for the Public Cloud for Oracle ERP
- The Business Case for the Hybrid Cloud for Oracle ERP
If you’re ready for an in-depth conversation about the Cloud, Syntax is ready to chat.
The Syntax Enterprise Cloud® is the leading global Cloud for ERP and we maintain robust partnerships with Public Cloud providers including AWS, OCI and Azure. We are uniquely positioned to help you find the Cloud configuration that is right for you.
Click here to learn more about Syntax Enterprise Cloud® solutions for Oracle E-Business Suite or, to start a 1-1 conversation with one of Our Cloud Solutions architects, visit our Contact Us page and we’ll set up a call.