Mastering Multicloud: The Power of Cloud-Neutral Data Storage

If you’re operating in a multicloud environment, you’ve no doubt wrestled with trying to determine the most suitable location for your master data repository. If you operate primarily in a public cloud but plan to use tools and services from multiple clouds, data transfer costs should be a top concern.

For companies facing this decision, a cloud-neutral data storage environment — i.e., a data center located outside of any particular public cloud — offers a viable solution. By selecting a cloud-neutral environment, you can enjoy the benefits that a multicloud strategy offers without worrying about high data transfer costs. This makes choosing a cloud-neutral data center one of the smartest decisions for organizations in the cloud today.

The high cost of moving data

When you migrate to the cloud, your data accompanies your applications. If you’re all-in on one public cloud service, you don’t have to worry about data-egress fees. But if you need to access the services of another cloud platform for any reason, such as to address a new business opportunity, suddenly you’re operating a multicloud environment. Now your data must move between the cloud platforms. And the situation is the same if you’re operating in a hybrid cloud environment and sharing data between legacy on-premises applications and applications in the public cloud.

These cloud-sharing scenarios are when your costs start rising because public cloud providers typically charge per gigabyte to export customer data to another private cloud platform. With mid-market businesses frequently running hundreds of applications, and not being able to entirely exit their data center due to legacy applications, data is likely to be flowing continuously into and out of the cloud. In these scenarios, especially if data volumes reach the tens of petabytes, egress costs can skyrocket.

Other data storage and sharing issues arise in multicloud operations, such as data duplication and the creation of data silos. Also, when you move data between clouds over the public internet, it increases the risk of a data breach. Maintaining data sovereignty can also be an issue because it becomes difficult to keep track of which cloud and which region your data is stored in.

Big-picture benefits of cloud-neutral data storage

Organizations that embrace a dedicated cloud-neutral environment for their critical business data can:

• Eliminate data silos: To analyze proprietary data effectively and gain a competitive advantage, organizations can consolidate their data into a single central location. This consolidation eliminates data silos and enables deep data analysis, which can lead to valuable business insights.
• Improve data residency management: Knowing exactly where your data resides at any given time is a key consideration for any CIO. Having ownership and control over data is an essential component of a data management strategy. It’s the pathway to ensuring you remain compliant with all regulations, especially in a multi-regional business environment. 
• Minimize security risks: For many businesses in the cloud, their access to services is via the Internet. Transmitting data through the public internet can make it more vulnerable to a data breach. However, the cost of private network access is often prohibitive for all but the largest enterprises. Also, with modern application architectures typically stretching across multiple data centers and clouds, the risk of data exposure increases.

Adding advanced data capabilities

To avoid the risk of unplanned and typically exorbitant egress fees when moving data between clouds, Rackspace Technology® created Rackspace Data Freedom. This innovative solution provides organizations with both a private master data repository and a convenient, secure way to move data and applications from one cloud to another. This delivers a significant reduction in egress fees and can save many organizations hundreds or even thousands of dollars a month.

Rackspace Data Freedom leverages the Rackspace Technology global portfolio of cloud-adjacent data centers and RackConnect® Global, a private fiber network with multiple public cloud onramps. With these resources, organizations can consolidate their data into a single master (replicated) repository that is accessible from all major public clouds.

This solution not only slashes egress fees by up to 83% but also boosts data security by shielding it from the public internet. CIOs gain peace of mind knowing their data's precise, safe location. With centralized master data, management becomes effortless, paving the way for sharper business insights via analytics and AI. Moreover, the Foundry for Artificial Intelligence by Rackspace (FAIR™) empowers businesses with cutting-edge technology to amplify their competitive edge.

The extensive range of data services provided by Rackspace Technology, including data management, data modernization, and analytics and business insights can help organizations extract greater value from their most important asset — their data. For the flexibility to move your data whenever and wherever you need, without exorbitant monthly fees, explore the benefits of cloud neutrality through Rackspace Data Freedom.