Vera Iordanova is the marketing manager at Tiger Technology AD – a provider of hybrid cloud data management solutions based in Sofia, Bulgaria. A long-time B2B marketer, Vera is passionate about promoting the value of technology in implementing innovative business models and helping IT leaders select the best technology to drive business results.

In today’s volatile global economy, enterprise IT leaders face mounting pressure to do more with less. From supply chain disruptions to rising tariffs, the cost of maintaining and upgrading infrastructure is increasing.For IT teams looking to future-proof their strategies, selecting the right technology isn’t just about performance-it’s about reducing risk, maximizing long-term value, and avoiding unnecessary costs tied to physical infrastructure.

Why hardware dependency is a growing liability
Hardware and components are the backbone of IT infrastructure, but they’re also deeply tied to global supply chains. That makes them vulnerable to a host of external factors-tariffs, geopolitical tensions, chip shortages, and more. When every infrastructure refresh means ordering, shipping, installing, and configuring new equipment, costs can spiral quickly – not just in terms of dollars, but also in terms of time and disruption. Organizations are now rethinking their long-term approach and leaning into software-defined solutions that remove hardware from the equation.

That’s where software-only solutions like Tiger Bridge come in.

What is a software-only hybrid cloud solution?
A software-only solution like Tiger Bridge, integrates with your existing infrastructure-no new physical devices, no disruption, and no need to rework your cloud strategy around hardware refresh cycles – to connect you to cloud storage. This shift is particularly important when adopting hybrid cloud architectures, where the goal is to extend storage capabilities between on-prem and the cloud without sacrificing performance or incurring high integration costs.

Internal solution with Tiger Bridge: using a file or application server change

With Tiger Bridge, the software integrates directly with the existing infrastructure, whether it’s a file server or a NAS. It does not interfere with how users access their files. Users continue working as usual, while Tiger Bridge quietly offloads inactive data to the cloud, seamlessly freeing up space without any interruption.

• No New Hardware: Unlike solutions that require introducing cloud gateways or external appliances, Tiger Bridge installs directly on your existing file server or NAS.
• Zero Workflow Disruption: Users continue working the way they always have. Tiger Bridge offloads inactive data to the cloud behind the scenes, silently freeing up valuable space.
• Cloud-Ready Without the Headaches: Start leveraging cloud services like AI or analytics immediately, without a disruptive infrastructure overhaul.
  

Don‘t overlook the implicit cost of switching
Staying vendor-neutral and storage agnostic also gives you flexibility with choosing solutions down the road and reduces IT concentration risk.

When evaluating data management solutions, it’s easy to focus on upfront costs. But one of the biggest hidden expenses can come later – when you try to switch providers. This implicit cost of switching can quietly lock you into a solution that looked affordable on day one, but becomes expensive and restrictive over time.

Many hybrid cloud solutions introduce layers of complexity that make switching difficult:

• Proprietary data formats that require vendor tools to access or move your data.
• Encrypted storage that only the vendor can decrypt.
• Custom workflows and integrations that require time-consuming reengineering if you want to leave.

These factors mean that, even if a better or more cost-effective option becomes available down the road, the cost to migrate-including labor, reconfiguration, and potential downtime – might exceed the savings you’d gain by switching.

Tiger Bridge avoids these traps by using a lightweight, non-intrusive approach:

• Storage and vendor-agnostic, works with any storage provider, type or tier.
• Your data stays in its original format.
• There’s no disruption to how users access or interact with files.
• You retain full control, with no dependence on proprietary tools to retrieve or move data.

That means if your needs evolve – or if you find a better fit in the future – you can pivot without the typical pain (and cost) of switching providers.

Looking at the long game: TCO
When evaluating any IT solution, initial implementation costs are only part of the picture. Smart CIOs also consider the TCO – including ongoing maintenance, scaling, and admin overhead over time.

With data volumes exploding and regulations demanding long-term retention, the cost of managing and retrieving data can become a major burden. That’s why reducing your dependency on hardware while optimizing data lifecycle management is crucial.

Tiger Bridge helps lower TCO with:

• Reduced Admin Overhead: With automatic data tiering and no new infrastructure to manage, IT teams spend less time babysitting systems.
• Smarter Cloud Spend: By only retrieving the data you need, you avoid excessive egress or transfer costs.
• Affordable Archive Options: Tiger Bridge supports integration with low-cost cloud archives or legacy tape for long-term compliance and retention.
• Elastic Storage Without Hardware: Scale up or down as needed using the cloud, avoiding both overprovisioning and costly upgrades.

Long-term cost savings with Tiger Bridge

Final thoughts: make the smart move now
As global uncertainty continues to push up the cost of hardware and components, enterprises that rely heavily on physical infrastructure are exposing themselves to unnecessary risks and costs. Shifting to a software-only, hardware-light model gives you the flexibility to scale, adapt, and evolve-without being at the mercy of the next tariff hike or supply chain delay.

Tiger Bridge empowers your hybrid cloud journey with minimal disruption, reduced cost, and total control over your data.