Guide to the Best Hybrid Cloud Management Platforms

Hybrid cloud is no longer just a buzzword it’s a game changer for businesses looking to combine the best of both worlds: the flexibility and scalability of public clouds with the security and control of private ones. But while the hybrid cloud approach offers huge benefits, it can also create complexity, especially when it comes to managing multiple environments. This is where hybrid cloud management platforms come in.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best hybrid cloud management platforms available today and help you figure out which one might be the right fit for your organization.

Why You Need a Hybrid Cloud Management Platform

Hybrid cloud environments often involve juggling multiple vendors, different operating systems, and varied security policies. As businesses scale, managing these cloud resources manually becomes unsustainable. This is where hybrid cloud management platforms shine. They help businesses:

• Monitor and manage resources across clouds – Ensure you’re using cloud services efficiently without overpaying.
• Secure your environment – Apply consistent security policies across your private and public clouds.
• Automate tasks – Save time by automating repetitive tasks like provisioning and scaling.
• Optimize costs – Get real-time insights on cloud usage to avoid bill shock.
• Scale without stress – Easily manage workloads as your business grows.

Without a proper management platform, it’s easy to end up with siloed cloud environments, higher-than-expected costs, and a lot of headaches for your IT teams.

The Best Hybrid Cloud Management Platforms in 2024

Let’s dive into some of the top hybrid cloud management platforms that are making waves right now.

Microsoft Azure Arc

What it does: Azure Arc is Microsoft’s solution for extending Azure’s management capabilities beyond the cloud to on-premises environments and even other clouds like AWS and Google Cloud. If you’re already using Azure, this platform gives you a unified view of all your resources in one place.

Why it’s great:

• You can manage your entire IT environment, no matter where it’s hosted.
• Simplifies Kubernetes management for containerized apps.
• Helps enforce security and compliance policies across all environments.
• Seamless integration with Microsoft tools like Azure Security Center.

Best for Businesses already using Azure who want to extend those capabilities to other environments without too much hassle.

VMware vRealize Suite

What it does: VMware vRealize Suite is an enterprise-grade solution for managing hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It’s perfect for businesses already leveraging VMware’s virtualization tech and looking for a way to manage both their private data centers and public clouds.

Why it’s great:

• It provides centralized management and deep insights into cloud performance.
• Intelligent automation features to optimize resource usage and workload placement.
• Integrated troubleshooting and performance monitoring tools.
• Works seamlessly with VMware Cloud Foundation for a smooth experience.

Best for Organizations heavily invested in VMware that want to extend their management capabilities across both on-prem and public clouds.

Red Hat CloudForms

What it does: Red Hat CloudForms is an open-source platform that allows you to manage virtual machines, containers, and even physical servers across both private and public clouds. It’s built for businesses that need flexibility and control over their cloud environments.

Why it’s great:

• Supports a wide range of environments, including OpenStack, AWS, and Azure.
• Offers customizable self-service portals for easier resource provisioning.
• Automates governance, ensuring compliance across all platforms.
• Built on open-source technology, meaning there’s a lot of room for customization.

Best for Businesses that value flexibility and need a platform that can handle diverse cloud setups.

Google Anthos

What it does: Google Anthos is designed for managing Kubernetes clusters across multiple environments on-prem, Google Cloud, or other cloud providers. If your organization is heavily invested in containers and microservices, Anthos helps keep everything in sync.

Why it’s great:

• It’s Kubernetes native, making it ideal for containerized workloads.
• Unified management across on-prem and cloud-based Kubernetes clusters.
• Built-in service mesh to manage communication between services securely.
• Powerful AI-driven insights to help optimize performance and detect issues.

Best for: Teams that have embraced Kubernetes and want a streamlined way to manage hybrid cloud clusters.

IBM Cloud Pak for Multi-cloud Management

What it does: IBM Cloud Pak is built on Red Hat OpenShift and is designed to manage both cloud native and traditional apps in a hybrid environment. It’s all about automation, governance, and visibility ideal for complex multi-cloud setups.

Why it’s great:

• Provides deep visibility across all cloud platforms and applications.
• Automates infrastructure operations, reducing manual management.
• Offers strong governance and compliance tools.
• Uses AI to help optimize cloud environments and detect inefficiencies.

Best for: Large enterprises with complex, multi-cloud needs and a focus on AI-driven insights.

BMC Helix Cloud Management

What it does: BMC Helix uses AI to help organizations manage their hybrid cloud environments with more precision. It automates tasks, optimizes performance, and provides real-time insights across all cloud resources.

Why it’s great:

• AI-powered tools to predict and prevent performance issues.
• Comprehensive visibility into cloud costs and resource usage.
• End-to-end automation for faster, more efficient service delivery.
• Integrates with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and more.

Best for Enterprises looking for a management platform that emphasizes AI-driven automation and cost optimization.

Cisco CloudCenter Suite

What it does: Cisco CloudCenter Suite helps manage applications across multiple clouds and data centers. It’s designed to streamline the deployment, scaling, and governance of applications across a hybrid cloud environment.

Why it’s great:

• Offers a unified interface to deploy and manage applications in both public and private clouds.
• Provides detailed cost and performance analytics.
• Automates application scaling and lifecycle management.
• Integrates with various clouds, including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and on-premise environments.

Best for Organizations looking for an easy way to manage both traditional and cloud-native applications across multiple environments.

Turbonomic

What it does: Turbonomic (now part of IBM) is an AI-driven platform focused on optimizing hybrid cloud environments by automatically allocating resources to meet demand in real-time.

Why it’s great:

• Automatically optimizes workloads across on-premises and cloud environments.
• Provides real-time insights and recommendations for resource allocation.
• Focuses on performance and cost efficiency, helping businesses avoid over-provisioning or under-utilizing resources.
• AI-driven automation helps ensure applications get the resources they need without manual intervention.

Best for Enterprises seeking an AI-powered solution that automatically adjusts resources to optimize performance and cost in hybrid environments.

HPE OneSphere

What it does: HPE OneSphere is a hybrid cloud management platform that enables organizations to manage their on-premise infrastructure alongside multiple public cloud services, all through a single interface.

Why it’s great:

• Provides unified management across public and private clouds.
• Allows for easy provisioning and scaling of resources across multiple environments.
• Delivers cost tracking and usage insights to optimize cloud spend.
• Supports Kubernetes and Docker container management for modern applications.

Best for Organizations using HPE infrastructure that want to extend management capabilities across both on-prem and public clouds.

Nutanix Calm

What it does: Nutanix Calm is an application-centric hybrid cloud management platform that focuses on simplifying the provisioning, scaling, and management of applications across various cloud environments.

Why it’s great:

• Simplifies application lifecycle management across hybrid cloud environments.
• Enables self-service provisioning with customizable blueprints.
• Provides automated scaling, patching, and updating of applications.
• Supports both public clouds like AWS and Azure, as well as private clouds running on Nutanix infrastructure.

Best for Enterprises using Nutanix infrastructure that want to automate the management of their hybrid cloud workloads.

CloudBolt

What it does: CloudBolt is a hybrid cloud management platform that focuses on simplifying the deployment and management of resources across public, private, and hybrid cloud environments.

Why it’s great:

• Provides a single interface for managing resources across multiple clouds.
• Offers customizable self-service portals for end users to deploy and manage applications.
• Integrates with major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Helps manage costs by tracking usage across environments and enforcing policies.

Best for Enterprises looking for a flexible and customizable hybrid cloud management platform that provides deep visibility into resource usage and cost management.

Scalr

What it does: Scalr is a hybrid cloud management platform designed to provide centralized control over cloud environments while maintaining flexibility for individual teams. It focuses on simplifying cloud governance and enabling self-service provisioning with compliance controls.

Why it’s great:

• Provides a policy-driven approach to cloud management, ensuring compliance and security standards are met across all environments.
• Supports multi-cloud environments, including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and private clouds.
• Offers detailed cost management and optimization features to track and reduce cloud expenses.
• Self-service provisioning allows teams to deploy resources while adhering to organizational policies.

Best for: Organizations that need a balance between centralized governance and team autonomy, especially those focused on maintaining compliance across diverse cloud environments.

What to Look for When Choosing a Hybrid Cloud Management Platform

When choosing the best platform for your organization, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Compatibility with Your Cloud Providers: Make sure the platform integrates smoothly with your existing cloud providers and any on-premise infrastructure.
• Automation Features: Look for tools that help automate routine tasks like scaling, provisioning, and backups.
• Security and Compliance: Ensure the platform has strong security controls and can help maintain compliance with relevant regulations.
• Scalability: Choose a platform that can grow with you whether you’re adding more clouds, scaling up workloads, or expanding geographically.
• Cost Monitoring: A good platform will give you a real-time view of your cloud costs, helping you avoid waste and overuse.
• Ease of Use: It’s worth considering how easy the platform is to implement and use, especially if your team is new to hybrid cloud management.

Choosing the best hybrid cloud management platform in 2024

Based on current trends and features, Microsoft Azure Arc stands out for a few key reasons:

Why Azure Arc is a Top Choice?

1. Unified Management: It offers a centralized view of all your resources, whether they're in Azure, on-premise, or even in other clouds like AWS and Google Cloud. This seamless integration across environments simplifies hybrid cloud management.

2. Kubernetes and Container Support: Azure Arc is particularly strong in Kubernetes management, which is crucial as more organizations move toward containerized applications and microservices.

3. Security and Compliance: It integrates with Azure Security Center and Azure Policy, allowing for consistent security and compliance across environments, making it ideal for enterprises with strict governance requirements.

4. Strong Ecosystem Integration: If your business is already invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem (Azure, Office 365, Active Directory, etc.), Azure Arc can offer a more streamlined experience by extending familiar tools and services across the hybrid cloud.

When Azure Arc Might Not Be the Best?

• If your organization is heavily invested in non-Microsoft technologies or needs more flexibility, platforms like VMware vRealize Suite or Red Hat CloudForms might be better options due to their broader support for diverse environments and open-source capabilities.

Final Thoughts

Managing a hybrid cloud environment can be complicated, but the right hybrid cloud management platform can make it a lot easier. Whether you’re an enterprise looking for deep integration with existing VMware tools or a smaller business focused on cost optimization, there’s a platform out there that fits your needs.

By choosing wisely, you’ll not only streamline your cloud operations but also unlock the full potential of hybrid cloud architecture reducing costs, increasing flexibility, and ensuring you stay competitive in an ever-changing digital landscape.