Migration To The Cloud - What To Expect
Moving to the cloud can transform your business for the better. But what does the journey look like? From planning to implementation, let's take a closer look at what the move entails.
Cloud Migration - A Guide
Choosing to migrate a businesses applications and systems to the cloud is a major decision that requires careful planning if it is to be successful. Businesses must consider their goals, existing infrastructure and day to day operational requirements to determine the best way to forward. Whether opting for a gradual migration over a period of months, a full migration in a single window or a hybrid migration, each method comes with its own benefits and challenges which will be covered further down the page. Now, lets take a look at what steps are needed for a successful migration.
Define Business Goals
Before beginning a migration (or indeed any project!), businesses should outline clearly, the objectives they would like to achieve through the migration. Some examples of what businesses might want to accomplish through a move to the cloud include:
- Scaling up infrastructure to support an expanding online customer base during peak sales periods.
- Reducing the costs associated with maintaining on-prem servers and hardware.
- Modernising legacy systems to improve efficiency and integrate with new cloud based tools.
Assess Applications and Systems
Not all applications and systems are suitable for cloud migration. A detailed assessment of each of them helps companies identify:
- Cloud ready applications – Apps and systems that can be moved with little to no modification.
- Applications requiring optimisation – Legacy systems that need updates to function efficiently in the cloud.
- Systems that should remain on-prem – Some applications may have regulatory, security or technical limitations that make cloud migration impractical.
Choose a Cloud Provider
Choosing the right cloud provider depends on a number of factors that will be influenced by the organisations budget, outcome requirements and compatibility consideration with existing systems. The most popular cloud providers today are:
- Microsoft Azure – Azure is well suited for SMEs and businesses already using Microsoft products.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Offers extensive services, standard and advanced.
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP) – Strong in analytics and open source compatibility.
Develop a Migration Plan
Once the scope and provider have been determined, a migration plan should be developed. Key elements to include:
- Data Backup - Ensuring all critical data is securely backed up before migration.
- Testing & Validation - Running tests to identify potential performance or compatibility issues.
- User Training - Preparing teams for new cloud based workflows and tools.
- Security & Compliance Checks - Implementing encryption, access controls and regulatory compliance measures.
Complete the Migration
The execution phase varies depending on the approach chosen.
- For gradual migrations, applications are moved in phases, with testing and ideally user feedback at each step.
- For full migrations, the transition is completed in a single event, it's highly advisable that this is done during off peak hours to minimise disruption and potential downtime.
Post Migration Optimisation
Once the migration is complete, businesses should continue to monitor and optimise their cloud environment indefinitely. This includes:
- Performance Tuning - Adjusting resources to maximise efficiency.
- Cost Management - Ensuring cloud usage is optimised to avoid unnecessary expenses.
- Security Enhancements - Regular updates, compliance checks and access control measures.
Cloud Migration: Approaches
There are different approaches companies may choose to take when considering their move to the cloud depending on their current environment, the end goals they want to achieve and any compliance or regulatory requirements they are bound by.
Gradual (Partial) Migration
A gradual migration involves moving applications and systems in stages rather than all at once. This approach allows businesses to test and optimise each component before fully completing the transition.
Why Choose a Gradual Migration?
- Lower Risk - Systems are moved incrementally, reducing the chance of disruption.
- Minimal Downtime - Critical business functions remain operational throughout the process.
- Cost Control - Investment is spread over time, avoiding a large upfront expense.
Full (Big Bang) Migration
A full migration involves moving all applications and systems to the cloud in a single transition. This method is often chosen by businesses looking for a faster shift to cloud based operations.
Why Choose a Full Migration?
- Faster Results - The business can quickly take full advantage of cloud benefits.
- Simplified Operations - Eliminates the need to manage both on prem and cloud systems.
- Modernisation - Helps companies move away from legacy infrastructure more efficiently and lowers the risk of plans changing.
Hybrid Migration
A hybrid migration strategy involves keeping some applications and systems on-prem whilst migrating others to the cloud. This is often used when businesses require a mix of cloud and on-prem solutions for compliance, performance and/or operational reasons.
Why Choose a Hybrid Migration?
- Flexibility – Businesses can maintain control over critical workloads whilst also reaping the benefits of cloud scalability.
- Regulatory Compliance – Some industries require sensitive data to remain on-prem due to legal and security concerns.
- Performance Optimisation – High performance applications may continue to run on-prem whilst cloud based services handle less resource intensive tasks thus, getting the best of both worlds.
Key Challenges
As with any major project, there may be challenges that arise - some more common than others. Let's take a look at the most common challenges faced with cloud migration projects and how to overcome them.
Data Security and Compliance
Some businesses may worry about data breaches or losing control over sensitive information when migrating to the cloud.
What can be done
- Choose a cloud provider that complies with the specific regulations the business is concerned about i.e. GDPR.
- Implement multiple security measure such as encryption, identity management and access controls during process.
Downtime and Disruption
Business operations may be disrupted during migration - there's no way to guarantee it won't happen, especially when transitioning legacy systems but there are steps you can take the minimise the chances.
What can be done
- Run a pilot or proof of concept before the migration or use pilot groups to test the individual applications or systems prior to full roll out.
- Have a rollback plan should the worst happen.
- Schedule migrations during off peak hours or split the process into phases to ensure critical systems remain operational.
Integration Complexity
Some legacy systems may not be compatible with cloud environments, complicating the migration process.
What can be done
- Conduct a thorough assessment of all systems before migrating so you can identify any that may be obviously problematic
- Prioritise the migration of systems that will provide the most value immediately - manage legacy systems separately.
- Have integration specialists on standby (internal or external) so they can address the issues quickly.
User Adoption and Training
Migrating to the cloud usually involves significant changes to workflows, tools and processes so naturally, employees may resist the change or struggle to adapt to the new systems.
What can be done
- Offer comprehensive training to ensure employees are well versed in the new cloud environment.
- Involve users early in the migration process to get their feedback and help them feel more comfortable with the transition.
- Communicate the benefits of the cloud clearly, showing how it will make their lives easier.
- Provide ongoing support to assist employees during the transition and after the migration is complete, ensuring they have the help they need to fully embrace the new system.
Final Thoughts
A successful migration is dependent on having the right resources in place, at the right time and involving stakeholders and users alike - every step of the way. From addressing security and integration issues to ensuring user are fully onboard, being proactive about planning helps to minimise disruption and keep the business operational throughout the transition and beyond.
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