Hybrid cloud solutions enable globally distributed design and production teams to collaborate on all design files. © pexels-kateryna-babaieva-2965260

The age of file silos is over. Organizations are increasingly unable to meet the needs of their employees and implement strategic initiatives if they try to do so with dozens of isolated technologies deployed in different locations. But cloud-only solutions also cause their own problems, as end users expect on-premise performance that the cloud can't deliver.

A hybrid cloud storage solution offers data services and functions that enable companies to get more out of their unstructured data. © pexels-kateryna-babaieva-2760241

The appeal of hybrid cloud storage is simple. Companies and their users know the benefits of their traditional systems, which primarily offer high performance on site. They want to hold on to this while taking advantage of the economies of scale and cost efficiency of the cloud. A well-designed hybrid cloud storage solution offers an increasingly broad range of data services and features that enable companies to do more with their unstructured data. These include data intelligence and AI-derived insights, cyber resilience - with integrated ransomware prevention, detection and recovery - compliance, lifecycle management, data mobility and more.

How the manufacturing industry benefits

NAS consolidation is a key contributor to cost control and digital transformation. Many organizations have evolved their local network storage over time and across multiple locations, installing solutions from different storage vendors, increasing capacity asynchronously and using various management tools to protect and share local file data across multiple locations. With a unified hybrid cloud solution, organizations can consolidate, secure and access all their files in a common global file system and a single namespace. Full-featured hybrid cloud providers use the most scalable, durable and cost-effective type of cloud storage - object storage - to consolidate all file data. As a result, companies minimize operational overhead and free up IT resources for other important projects, as they no longer have to worry about NAS, file servers, data backup and the like.

Global collaboration is simplified

Manufacturing companies today operate different locations for the design, manufacture and service of their products. Traditional multi-site implementations are finding it increasingly difficult to meet requirements as more sites are involved in the lifecycle of a product. With hybrid cloud solutions, globally distributed design and manufacturing teams can collaborate on all design files as if they were in the same office. Any changes made to a cached file in any location are compressed and encrypted on the local edge device. The versions are then uploaded to the object store where they are saved as immutable, read-only versions and synchronized with all other locations as needed. The result is increased productivity for the entire organization.

Security and ransomware

There is a reason why the manufacturing industry is one of the sectors most frequently targeted by ransomware attacks. They often store confidential data - such as intellectual property, production plans and customer data. Ransomware attackers specifically target such valuable assets, encrypt the data and demand a ransom for its release. Robust cyber security measures are important to deny unauthorized access. Software and firmware must be updated regularly. It is equally important to implement effective backup and recovery systems. A hybrid cloud file system provides file data from a single source that can be securely accessed globally, with built-in backup, access control and ransomware protection capabilities.

Hybrid cloud - the key for the manufacturing industry

The challenges faced by global manufacturers like ACME Industries underscore the need for a transformative approach to IT infrastructure. The limitations of traditional file storage systems in complex modern manufacturing processes mean that companies are looking for - and finding - innovative solutions. The convergence of familiarity, performance and scalability, combined with advanced features such as data intelligence and cyber threat resilience, makes hybrid cloud storage a cornerstone in navigating the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing IT.

Data volumes are increasing, teams are more distributed and threats are on the rise. Rigid infrastructures can't keep up, and the resulting friction has become an accepted cost of doing business. With Nasuni, companies can ensure that all data is fully available and prepared for the huge shift towards AI.