Multicloud model

Business Strategies and Models

A business strategy where companies use multiple cloud computing services from different providers (e.g., AWS, Microsoft, GCP) to avoid dependency on a single vendor, improve reliability, and manage risk.


First Mentioned

10/25/2025, 12:39:49 AM

Last Updated

10/25/2025, 12:41:08 AM

Research Retrieved

10/25/2025, 12:41:08 AM

Summary

The multicloud model is a strategic approach to cloud computing where an organization leverages services from two or more cloud providers, which can include public, private, and hybrid cloud environments, as well as various service models like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. This strategy, defined by ISO/IEC 22123-1, is increasingly adopted, with a notable rise in 2024, driven by benefits such as enhanced architectural resilience, reduced vendor dependency, and improved flexibility to select best-fit services for specific workloads. Key applications include sophisticated data analysis and cross-cloud disaster recovery. The necessity of a multicloud model was notably highlighted by a significant AWS outage, which inadvertently benefited competing providers like Microsoft, Google Cloud, and Oracle, by demonstrating the risks of relying on a single vendor. Despite its advantages, multicloud implementation presents challenges such as increased operational complexity, potential security risks, higher costs, and integration difficulties.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Definition

    A cloud deployment model in which a customer uses public cloud services provided by two or more cloud service providers (ISO/IEC 22123-1)

  • Key Use Cases

    Data analysis in separate clouds, cross-cloud disaster recovery

  • Adoption Trend

    Continued to rise in 2024

  • Key Advantages

    Enhanced architectural resilience, reduced vendor dependency, improved flexibility, cost optimization, disaster recovery, avoiding vendor lock-in, hedging against obsolescence

  • Key Challenges

    Increased operational complexity, security risks, higher costs, integration difficulties, management complexity

  • Service Models

    Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS)

  • Deployment Models

    Public cloud, Private cloud, Hybrid cloud

Timeline
  • Multi-cloud adoption continued to rise, as reported by the Flexera 2024 State of the Cloud Report. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2024

  • A massive AWS Outage occurred, underscoring the need for a Multicloud model strategy and benefiting competitors like Microsoft, Google Cloud, and Oracle. (Source: Document c1e7853d-7ce4-4407-a28b-cc7c0a9bb7a4)

    Unknown

Multicloud

Multicloud (also written as multi-cloud or multi cloud) is a term with varying interpretations, generally referring to a system using multiple cloud computing providers. According to ISO/IEC 22123-1: "multi-cloud is a cloud deployment model in which a customer uses public cloud services provided by two or more cloud service providers". Multi-cloud can involve various deployment models, including public, private, and hybrid clouds, and multiple service models, such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Multicloud incorporates workload, data, traffic and workflow portability options, exhibiting differing implementation complexities. When effectively implemented, multicloud solutions can enhance architectural resilience, reduce dependence on a single vendor, and improve flexibility by leveraging services from different providers. However, multicloud strategies also present challenges, including increased operational complexity, security risks, higher costs, and integration difficulties. According to the 2024 State of the Cloud Report by Flexera, multi-cloud adoption has continued to rise in 2024. Enterprises increasingly silo applications into specific clouds and select best-fit services. Key use cases include data analysis in separate clouds and cross-cloud disaster recovery.

Web Search Results
  • Multicloud

    Multicloud (also written as multi-cloud or multi cloud) is a term with varying interpretations, generally referring to a system using multiple cloud computing providers. According to ISO/IEC 22123-1: "multi-cloud is a cloud deployment model in which a customer uses public cloud services provided by two or more cloud service providers". Multi-cloud can involve various deployment models, including public, private, and hybrid clouds, and multiple service models, such as Infrastructure as a Service [...] There are several advantages to using a multicloud approach, including the ability to negotiate better pricing with cloud providers, the ability to quickly switch to another provider if needed, and the ability to avoid vendor lock-in. Multicloud can also be a good way to hedge against the risks of obsolescence, as it allows you to rely on multiple vendors and open standards, which can prolong the life of your systems.

  • What Is Multicloud? Why Use a Multicloud Strategy?

    Multicloud generally refers to the consumption of cloud services from two or more public cloud providers. It also often describes specific architectures where an app uses the same service model across multiple cloud providers, in some cases including on-premises data centers and colocation facilities. Download white paper --- Q&A The benefits of a multicloud model Complexity of a multicloud strategy ## Q&A ### Why adopt a multicloud model? [...] A multicloud approach can create additional risk and undermine a cloud strategy's success. A few examples of typical considerations when using a multicloud model are the following: ### Management complexity [...] Most organizations embrace multicloud models as part of their cloud strategy. They want to distribute applications and services between multiple cloud services to meet business needs and objectives. They also look to benefit from best-of-breed innovations, cost savings, and risk reduction. ### What is a hybrid cloud?

  • What is multicloud?

    Multicloud is a strategy for cloud usage that involves using cloud services from two or more public cloud providers. It might also includeprivate cloud environments. Unlike hybrid cloud, which blends public and private cloud infrastructures, a multicloud strategy typically involves using multiplepublic cloud platforms for different workloads and applications. This approach allows you to avoid dependency on a single provider and take advantage of the specific capabilities each platform offers. [...] Multicloud is a strategy that uses multiple cloud providers—typically public, but sometimes private—for optimal performance and flexibility across platforms. Multicloud helps minimize vendor lock-in, improve resilience and disaster recovery, and optimize costs. An effective multicloud strategy requires thoughtful planning, governance, and the right tools. Overview Multicloud meaning [...] Optimizing performance and cost. Different cloud providers offer varying pricing models, geographic availability, and performance benchmarks. A multicloud strategy allows you to place workloads where they’ll perform best and cost the least. For example, latency-sensitive applications might be hosted closer to customers on a provider with a strong regional presence, while long-term data storage might be housed with a lower-cost provider.

  • Multi-cloud Services Benefits & Challenges

    Multi-cloud refers to the use of multiple cloud computing services in a single heterogeneous architecture. This strategy allows organizations to leverage the strengths and benefits of various cloud service providers, avoiding vendor lock-in, and increasing flexibility and resilience. Multi-cloud environments can include combinations of public clouds, private clouds, and hybrid clouds, enabling businesses to optimize their workloads based on performance, cost, and regulatory requirements. [...] Multi-cloud offers significant advantages, including flexibility, resilience, and optimized performance, making it an attractive strategy for modern organizations. To successfully implement a multi-cloud strategy, organizations must invest in robust management tools, develop comprehensive security policies, and maintain effective vendor relationships. With careful planning and execution, the benefits of multi-cloud can outweigh the challenges, enabling businesses to achieve greater agility,

  • What is Multicloud? Benefits, Challenges & Strategy

    Multicloud is an infrastructure approach that includes a combination of two or more cloud platforms. These platforms can be public or private – although most multicloud infrastructure is made up of at least two different public cloud platforms. Multicloud can also (but not necessarily) include on-premises compute, networking, and storage that must integrate and work together with the cloud services. [...] Multicloud can also serve as an effective failover model, which can help organizations retain data and keep operations running in the event of a cloud or connection failure. Having multiple copies and backups of critical data on different cloud platforms can mean faster recovery time and better business continuity if their main cloud platform goes down. ### The Benefits of Adopting a Hybrid Multicloud Infrastructure [...] With a multicloud approach, organizations overcome the limitations of vendor lock-in and can access all the different capabilities they need. Using a single cloud provider locks them in to not only features and capabilities but also pricing and other factors, such as available services and tools.