Migrating to the cloud is no longer a question of "should I?" but "when should I?" While the decision to migrate is straightforward, moving your digital assets and operations to the cloud is where the heavy lifting happens.

This guide will provide you with a thorough perspective, step-by-step actions, and tools for a smooth transfer to the cloud. Bonus: our cases of rescuing post-failure cloud migrations when prospective clients turned to us.

 

The Cloud Is All About the Perfect Match

Explanations like “move your data, applications, and IT infrastructure to the cloud” do not do the cloud migration process justice. This process is significantly more complicated and requires multiple adjustments to fully use cloud capabilities.

Imagine you have an occasion and are looking for appropriate attire. After a few fittings, you have yourself a suit or a dress that matches you perfectly and corresponds to the occasion and envisioned look. Migrating to the cloud should match your business needs just like each piece in a seamlessly coordinated outfit. Today’s cloud environments offer many choices, and you can expect immediate value from migration.

 

Tangible Benefits of Cloud Migration

Cloud migration contributes to how you can operate your business, enabling great agility, improved efficiency, and the ability to quickly adjust to market demands.

Scale Up or Down

You can instantly scale resources based on demand, optimal performance, and provision needs. Retail organizations benefit from cloud services by scaling up their computing power during Black Fridays and scaling down when sales are over.

Deploy Quickly

You can deploy new servers, databases, or applications within minutes using automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) in the cloud. If you are a startup launching a new mobile app, you can instantly provision cloud resources.

Recover and Resilience

Many organizations already use cloud, which offers them automated backups, redundancy, and global data centers, minimizing downtime. Your site or app will remain operational even if a data center fails.

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Pay for What You Use

In the cloud, you pay for the resources you use and avoid upfront costs for unused resources. If you are a SaaS company experimenting with different server configurations, the cloud allows you to experiment without long-term commitments.

Stay Compliant and Secure

Cloud environments offer built-in security features such as automated updates, encryption, and DDoS protection, adding automation to the mix. Unless your industry requires strict regulatory compliance and complete control over security, like financial or healthcare fields, cloud cybersecurity can suffice.

Innovate and Experiment

You can quickly test and experiment with AI, machine learning, and IoT projects in the cloud. For example, when you need to test real-time video processing, you can use cloud-based AI tools to do that without purchasing dedicated hardware.

 

Finding Your Cloud Migration Strategy

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to moving your infrastructure to the cloud. Your cloud migration strategy will depend on your needs, applications, and business goals, helping you lean toward the most appropriate cloud migration type.

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Rehosting

This is often the fastest and easiest route. You ‘lift’ the application from your on-premises infrastructure and ‘shift’ it to a cloud-based server, virtual machine (VM), or container as is with minimal changes. This is a good option for applications that don’t require significant changes and where cloud migration speed is paramount. However, the lift and shift approach can have minor cloud-native functionality restrictions.

Refactoring

This approach involves modifying your applications to suit the cloud environment without changing the architecture. For example, you might migrate from a self-managed database to a cloud-based service (like Amazon RDS or Azure SQL Database) or use a Platform as a Service (PaaS) offering instead of managing virtual machines directly. This approach allows you to benefit from managed services and improve scalability and efficiency without a complete rebuild.

Rearchitecting

You rearchitect your applications to use cloud-native features such as containers, microservices, and serverless computing. This can provide significant scalability, resiliency, and performance improvements but requires substantial development effort and expertise.

Rebuilding

Instead of migrating applications, you rebuild them using cloud-native technologies and principles. While this cloud migration strategy requires the highest initial investment, it offers flexibility and optimization potential. Organizations often choose this approach when applications are outdated or business requirements mean no other strategy suffices.

Replacing

You can choose to replace your application with a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that provides the functionality you need. Think of this as if you were moving from an in-house email server to a cloud-based service like Gmail or Microsoft 365. The SaaS provider is now responsible for the platform’s management and maintenance.

Retiring

After an IT environment analysis, you can identify redundant applications and decommission them instead of migrating dead weight. Organizations can simplify infrastructure and cut unnecessary costs.

Hybrid

The combination of on-premises and cloud is a viable option if you need to migrate gradually or use both infrastructures to marry different business outcomes. Organizations can keep sensitive data on-premises while migrating less critical applications to the cloud.

 

Achieving Migration Goals with Clear Cloud Migration Steps

The cloud migration process consists of five key steps that serve as guiding principles. These steps outline the path to a successful migration.

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Below are the detailed actions within each step to ensure no stone is left unturned. Follow this guidance for a seamless migration.

 

1. Assess and Plan

Action Description

Define migration goals

Clearly outline what you want to achieve with the migration (like cost reduction, scalability, and more).

Conduct a cost-benefit analysis

Evaluate the financial implications of the migration, including costs and potential ROI.

Set KPIs

Determine key performance indicators to measure the success of the migration (like cost savings, performance improvements, and reduced downtime).

Assess current infrastructure

Assess your existing IT setup, including hardware, software, and network.

Identify application dependencies

Map out how applications interact with each other and with data sources.

Determine compliance and security requirements

Understand regulatory and security needs that must be met in the cloud.

Identify stakeholders and secure buy-in

Determine key stakeholders and ensure their support for the migration project.

 

2. Choose Your Strategy

Action Description

Choose a migration strategy

Decide on the best strategy for each application (rehost, refactor, rearchitect, rebuild, replace).

Design cloud architecture

Plan the cloud environment, including network, compute, and storage layout.

Choose a cloud provider

Based on your needs, choose between AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or others.

Plan for security and compliance

Design security measures and compliance controls for the cloud environment.

Establish a backup and recovery plan

Create a disaster recovery plan and backup strategy for cloud-based workloads.

Identify cloud data migration tools

Choose tools to support the migration process (like migration automation, data transfer, and testing).

Conduct skills assessment and training

Identify any skill gaps within the team and provide necessary training on cloud technologies.

 

3. Test-Drive the Migration

Action Description

Set up test environments

Create a controlled environment to mirror part of your production setup.

Conduct functional testing

Verify that applications function as expected in the cloud environment.

Conduct pilot migration

Migrate a subset of applications or data to test the process.

Test performance, security, and reliability

Validate that the migrated components work as expected.

Analyze pilot results and adjust the plan

Review the results of the pilot migration and based on them, make any necessary adjustments to the full cloud migration roadmap.

 

4. Migrate Data and Applications

Action Description

Schedule migration phases

Plan the sequence and timing of migrations to minimize business impact.

Set up a production cloud environment

Configure the production cloud environment based on the design.

Execute data migration

Transfer data securely and efficiently to the cloud, ensuring integrity.

Migrate applications

Move applications to the cloud, potentially refactoring as needed.

Update DNS and networking configurations

Update DNS records and network configurations to route traffic to the cloud environment.

Perform post-migration checks

Verify that all components are functioning correctly in the new environment.

 

5. Optimize and Monitor

Action Description

Implement monitoring solutions

Set up tools to continuously track performance, costs, and security.

Monitor performance and availability

Set up monitoring tools and processes to track application performance, availability, and resource utilization.

Optimize resource usage

Adjust resource allocation based on actual usage to optimize costs.

Fine-tune applications

Make necessary tweaks to applications for better performance in the cloud.

Train users

Teach users how to use the migrated applications in the cloud.

Continuous security assessment

Regularly review and update security measures to protect against new threats.

Cost management

Monitor cloud expenses and implement cost-saving strategies.

 

Cloud Migration Tools That Top the Charts

A successful cloud migration strategy relies on the right tools and technologies. Several have made it to the top of developers’ lists — here they are.

AWS Migration Hub

AWS Migration Hub is a centralized platform for tracking the progress of application migrations across multiple AWS services. It provides visibility into the migration process and enables organizations to manage and monitor their migration efforts effectively. The tool’s key features are:

  • Integration with AWS services integrates with other AWS migration tools such as AWS Application Migration Service and AWS Database Migration Service.
  • A centralized dashboard provides a comprehensive view of all migration activities, making it easier to manage resources and timelines.

Azure Migrate

Azure Migrate is Microsoft’s suite of tools that simplify servers, databases, applications, and data migration to the Azure cloud. The tool provides a range of assessment, migration, and optimization services. The core features include:

  • Assessment tools that evaluate their on-premises environment and plan migrations based on compatibility and performance metrics.
  • Migration options to support a variety of migration strategies, including rehosting and refactoring.

Google Cloud Migration

Google Cloud Migration helps organizations move workloads, including virtual machines, applications, and databases, to the Google Cloud using:

  • Automated migration that automates processes for moving applications and data with minimal downtime.
  • Performance monitoring to monitor application performance before and after the migration to track optimal operation in the new environment.

 

Take the Right Turn Toward Cloud Migration

Move your assets to the cloud with a reliable cloud migration partner in your corner.

Book a free consultation

 

 

Putting a Price Tag on the Cloud Migration

You cannot put a single price tag on cloud migration because the price depends on several factors:

  • Licensing fees for migration tools
  • Cloud computing and storage resources
  • Fees for cloud migration consultants and migration partners
  • The cloud environment complexity
  • The cloud migration strategy
  • The level of automation used

Understanding these factors is critical when planning migration steps and budgeting. A thorough assessment helps estimate the upfront costs and weigh them against the long-term financial benefits of cloud migration.

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The good news is the cloud eliminates significant upfront investments in hardware like servers, storage, and networking equipment. It also reduces hardware maintenance costs, lowers energy consumption, and allows you to scale resources on demand, paying only for what you use. You can deploy services and features faster, ultimately impacting your bottom line.

Challenges of Cloud Migration

Moving to the cloud isn’t always straightforward. Several potential cloud migration challenges can arise, and it is essential to be aware of them.

Data Transfer and Security Risks

Ensuring data security and integrity becomes key to mitigating risks. If you are transferring large amounts of sensitive data to the cloud, it can be exposed to unauthorized access, loss, or corruption if not managed properly.

Solution: Implement strong encryption for data in transit and at rest. Secure protocols such as HTTPS and dedicated VPNs can help protect data from external threats. Testing and piloting the migration on a small data set can identify potential issues before scaling.

Compatibility and Integration

Migrating applications and systems to the cloud can lead to compatibility issues. Legacy systems may not fit well with cloud-native technologies, resulting in significant challenges or costly re-engineering.

Solution: Assess your IT infrastructure to identify potential compatibility gaps. Enterprises may also consider hybrid cloud solutions while transitioning to the cloud. Choosing cloud platforms compatible with existing tools and technologies or using cloud-native services to refactor applications can help the integration.

Vendor Lock-In

Vendor lock-in occurs when an organization becomes overly dependent on a particular cloud provider, limiting flexibility and potentially increasing long-term costs.

Solution: Choose a multi-cloud or hybrid cloud strategy to enhance flexibility and redundancy. In addition, adopting open standards and using containers or Kubernetes can make different cloud environments user-friendly. This approach provides automated scaling, load balancing, and self-healing capabilities, ensuring applications adjust on the fly to changing workloads.

Legacy System Compatibility and Migration

Legacy systems built with outdated technologies and tightly coupled architectures can stall cloud migration. They may rely on incompatible with cloud OS, middleware, or hardware. Limited in-house expertise can further complicate managing dependencies and choosing migration paths. Also, scanning technical documentation for potential risks can be overwhelming.

Solution: Professionals in migrating legacy systems to the cloud can guide you through the entire process. They can help minimize risk, advise on best practices and strategy, assist with tool choice, and optimize cloud environments for cost efficiency and performance.

 

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Migrate Right, Grow Fast

Migrate to the cloud seamlessly — no inefficiencies, full potential driving your business forward.

Request a free consultation

 

 

How to Reverse Bad Cloud Migration Experiences 

We often step in to fix partially or entirely unsuccessful cloud migrations. Despite clear cloud benefits, business owners struggle to find their true north and lose sight of business priorities. Here are two stories from our practice.


Turning Cloud Migration Failures Into Success

One of our clients turned to us after a poorly executed cloud migration of a large monolithic application, which led to enormous bills, performance issues, and a lack of visibility into system status and errors.

The client had previously chosen a rehosting strategy and migrated all the resources as they were. Resources were added on the fly, with development still in progress, and the new version of the application was nowhere near ready for submission. Also, the ITOps team with no experience in the cloud failed to ensure continuous delivery of developer changes or maintain the existing infrastructure.

How We Fixed It

We reviewed the existing cloud infrastructure and application architecture, ultimately decommissioning the unused production environment. The application had been restructured into a PaaS model, aligning with the current CMS system.

To ensure performance and scalability, we calculated resource loads and selected optimal resources. Once the new architecture was approved, we built an IaC-based accelerator for automation, along with new development and QA environments. Using the client’s CI/CD tools, we streamlined the delivery process. Finally, we integrated a monitoring and alerting system to enhance incident management.

Key Outcomes

  • The client had 99.9% availability for all resources.
  • The infrastructure bill was reduced from $300K per month to 89K per month.
  • The client had an Infrastructure-as-Code accelerator for future needs.
  • We achieved a fully flexible and scalable architecture based on the Platform-as-a-Service cloud model.
  • We provided complete coverage for monitoring, alerting, and backup strategies based on cloud best practices.


Discovering the Full Cloud Benefit Suite

Another client came to us after completing their cloud migration, but the system remained unstable, and they had no visibility into what was happening in the cloud. The client followed the first two stages of migration relatively correctly. We closely analyzed the business operations our client migrated to the cloud and discovered frequent downtimes, low performance, and multiple tickets for IT service. The assessment also revealed poor maintenance due to missing monitoring, no backups, error-prone manual processes, and a lack of infrastructure documentation for validation.

How We Fixed It

We documented infrastructure and created a Monitoring and alerting plan, providing proactive and reactive approaches for monitoring. The alerting was also integrated into all custom communication channels such as Outlook, Jira, and Slack. We introduced a backup system for all resources with a thorough setup plan.

Our team also incorporated maintenance runbooks for clearing old logs, transferring unused files from hot storage to cold ones, and autoscaling up and down rules for resources. We mapped out a disaster recovery plan for our client.

Key Outcomes

  • The cloud has complete information about resources and related processes.
  • The downtime decreased by 90%.
  • The infrastructure costs were reduced by 40%.
  • The load on the ITOps service requests dropped.

Weather the Storm and Migrate Successfully

Cloud migration may seem like a standalone task, but it is part of a full-scale project. Cloud migration strategy falls under the umbrella of your broader business strategy. The migration process appears as the natural outcome when addressing key technical goals, such as scalability, security, and modernization.

After professionals assess your business from a technical standpoint, they suggest a cloud migration strategy that matches your project needs. Compliance, the data you handle, and privacy laws dictate where and how you migrate.

On-premises infrastructure holds significant value for high regulatory control, legacy system support, and niched use cases — despite lacking the speed and flexibility of the cloud. Yet, cloud and on-premises systems can complement one another in a hybrid model, offering the best of both worlds.

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