Are the cloud wars finally over? Probably not, but they have entered a new, more open phase that’s leaving companies with greater options for their cloud services.

Major cloud providers like Microsoft, Google, and AWS continue to battle for technology innovation, and, of course, customers and companies are shifting from rigid, platform-specific services to more flexible multi-cloud solutions. In fact, more than three-fourths of organizations today use a multi-cloud configuration, and that number rises to 90 percent for large enterprises.

Businesses today have more options to optimize their IT infrastructure for performance, cost efficiency, and scalability without being tethered to a single provider's ecosystem.

But if they don’t have the right data management and infrastructure in place to manage their multi-cloud systems, they’ll be left without a real choice — and without a data architecture that matches their operational needs and strategic goals.

Fewer barriers to multi-cloud environments

It’s no wonder why we’re seeing the move to multi-cloud.

With a multi-cloud set-up, companies gain enhanced control over their data storage and usage, cost management across different providers, and the flexibility to innovate and adapt quickly to changing market conditions without being locked into a single vendor. These are crucial capabilities as companies navigate the data-driven business landscape.

In response to consumer demands and mounting legal pressures and regulations, cloud providers offer increased support, better tools, and interoperable services that align with multi-cloud strategies.

For instance, Microsoft recently announced it would eliminate egress fees for customers transferring data away from Azure cloud, following suit with AWS and Google Cloud, in the face of anti-competitiveness complaints and impending regulations like the EU Data Act of 2025.

These changes may not completely upend the cloud landscape on their own, but they underscore the move away from vendor lock-in toward greater options and opportunities for companies to configure the cloud infrastructure that works best for them.

With easier transitions and greater interoperability, companies have a greater choice between multiple cloud services that are cost-effective and tailored toward specific regulatory requirements or operational needs. This newfound freedom ensures that organizations can avoid unnecessary expenses and operational inefficiencies associated with data transfer fees, which often discourage moving between platforms.

Yet, as it stands, many businesses still struggle to unlock the full potential of their cloud systems and applications: 68 percent of organizations say managing multi-cloud environments is a top challenge for their cloud strategy.

The question is, what do companies need to do to get more out of their multi-cloud?

Three ways to maximize your cloud architecture

Egress fees may no longer get in the way of leveraging the multi-cloud, but disjoined, disconnected practices certainly will.

As you look to optimize your cloud architecture — no matter what it looks like — you will need to prioritize adaptability, accessibility, and connected processes across all of your applications and systems.

Keep a close eye on cloud usage and costs:

Nearly two-thirds of organizations expect their usage of the multi-cloud to increase in the next two years, with companies pouring more money and resources into their cloud investments. But as multi-cloud adoption rapidly grows, costs can quickly spiral out of control. With so many different platforms and applications, it can be easy to lose track of where costs are outpacing budget.

Robust monitoring tools and financial controls are crucial to manage usage across multiple platforms. To prevent financial surprises, implement proactive budgeting measures and real-time monitoring systems that alert you to any unexpected increases in cloud spend, especially in test environments. These financial controls will ensure that as your cloud capabilities grow, your expenditures remain within budget.

Build data infrastructure that enables flexibility:

Companies aren’t just increasingly relying on multi-cloud infrastructure, they are leveraging an increasing number of vendors, with three in 10 enterprises using four or more cloud providers. No matter how many cloud platforms you’re currently using (or plan to use in the future), your technology infrastructure should enable flexible, integrated processes that can scale across diverse environments.

In particular, these should focus on providing seamless data mobility and universal access across various platforms, applications, and formats. As your cloud ecosystems become more complex, it’s important to have the greatest breadth and depth of data connectivity to ensure everyone in your organization can access, use, and share the data they need, no matter which cloud platform or application they’re on.

Develop expertise that supports diverse cloud applications:

The cloud landscape is rapidly evolving — and it can be difficult for organizations to keep up. In fact, 62 percent of enterprise leaders say their organization is having difficulty keeping up with the rapidly evolving technology roles and responsibilities required to manage cloud adoption.

It’s not enough to have the technology tools and infrastructure in place, you also need the technical expertise to support the multi-cloud environment. Your teams should be well-versed in a variety of cloud platforms and data management practices, including knowing how to implement and manage standard-based connectivity solutions. These skill sets are essential for creating a cohesive environment that supports diverse data sources and applications across multiple clouds.

Leave options for the future

As you navigate the changes and complexities of cloud computing, the decisions you make today will have major impacts down the road.

By embracing a multi-cloud strategy that leverages flexible, connected data infrastructure, proper oversight, and strong technical expertise, you can meet both your organization’s short-term needs and long-term business goals without being locked in to any one course of action.

With strategic flexibility, you can capitalize on today’s market while maintaining the agility to adapt to future changes and opportunities. Ultimately, the choice comes down to you.