Almost ALL businesses use the cloud, over 90% in fact. Some organizations use their own private cloud while the slight majority use the traditional managed on-site option. But one thing they all have in common (if they didn’t launch their business in the last few years) is that they, at one point, successfully underwent a cloud migration process.
So, if you haven’t yet moved to the cloud and you’re planning to migrate your business’ systems, apps and data, you had better have a foolproof cloud migration strategy all ready to go, otherwise, you could end up wasting not only time but considerable dollar amounts as well.
To avoid a catastrophic waste of resources, this blog is going to tell you everything you need to know about migrating to the cloud, specifically the strategy involved, the different types of cloud environments and some best practices you can follow to help ensure your cloud adoption plan goes off without a hitch.
Why Is it Important to Have a Solid Cloud Migration Strategy in Place?
Migrating to the cloud is not a decision that businesses should take lightly.
There are many moving parts involved, and if any one of them is done incorrectly or omitted entirely, you run the risk of facing major downtime, data loss, security vulnerabilities and even legal issues. So it’s critical to have a solid cloud migration strategy in place that includes all the necessary steps, in the right order, to ensure a clean and seamless transition.
Some of the key reasons that businesses need to have a well-thought-out cloud migration strategy are:
- To understand what types of cloud environments are available and which one best suits your business needs.
- To determine the various costs involved and how to budget your cloud migration appropriately.
- To assess current systems, apps and data that need to be migrated and to plan out a timeline for the transition process.
- To address potential security risks and how they can be mitigated during the migration process.
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By taking these points into consideration when devising a cloud strategy, you can increase your chances of a successful transition to a cloud computing environment.
How Do Specific Cloud Platforms Alter Cloud Migration Strategies?
There are several different types of cloud platforms to choose from, such as public cloud, private cloud, hybrid and multi-cloud. Each one comes with its own unique set of pros and cons, so it’s important to understand the differences between them in order to select the best platform for your business needs.
For example:
1. A public cloud offers the most flexibility in terms of scalability, security and cost structure. However, you will be sharing resources with other customers on the cloud service infrastructure, which can lead to latency issues at peak times or increased risk of security breaches if proper safeguards aren’t put in place.z
2. A private cloud is a good option for businesses that want more control over their data and prefer to have dedicated resources on a cloud infrastructure. However, this type of cloud platform is typically more expensive and less scalable than public cloud options.
3. A hybrid cloud combines the best features of both public and private cloud platforms, giving businesses the flexibility and scalability of one option with the security and control of the other.
This can be an attractive choice for many companies that want to transition their systems gradually over time or maintain certain apps or data in-house while moving others to the cloud.
4. A multi-cloud approach allows businesses even greater flexibility by allowing them to run different workloads on different platforms depending on their unique needs at any given time.
For example, you might choose to store some data on a private cloud and some on a public cloud, or run your high-volume transactions on one cloud platform while running sensitive data analytics on another.
In order to have a successful cloud migration, it’s essential to develop a robust cloud migration strategy that takes into account the specific needs and constraints of your business. By understanding the different cloud environments and how they can affect your migration, you can make an informed decision about which platform is right for your business.
A 5-Point Guide to Cloud Migration Strategy Best Practices
Whether you already have some cloud native systems in place, you’re only interested in application migration, or you have a number of legacy systems you need to migrate, these broadly applicable cloud migration strategy best practices can help you develop the right migration tools for a successful digital transformation.
1. Take a Holistic Approach to Migration Planning
When migrating your systems and data to the cloud, it’s important to think about all aspects of the process as a whole, rather than just focusing on individual pieces or components in isolation.
This means considering not just technical concerns, such as which platforms to use and how best to deploy them, but also organizational factors such as:
- Budgeting and Resource Allocation
- Governance Requirements
- Regulatory Compliance Considerations
- Data Center Management
- Etc.
2. Prioritize Security from the Start
Cloud environments are inherently more vulnerable to attacks than traditional on-premise networks due to their distributed nature and reliance on external shared resources.
Therefore, one of your top priorities when planning your cloud migration strategy should be putting in place appropriate security measures to protect your data and systems.
3. Take a Phased Approach to Migration
As with any large-scale IT project, it’s typically best to break down the overall process into manageable chunks, with each stage focusing on a specific set of goals or objectives.
For example, you might start by moving certain low-risk workloads over first in order to gain some early experience with cloud technologies and identify areas for improvement, before tackling more mission-critical applications later on.
4. Test Extensively Throughout the Migration Process
In addition to testing all new systems and configurations prior to going live, it’s also essential to perform ongoing tests during operational deployment in order to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that no unexpected issues arise.
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This can include conducting performance tests, vulnerability scans, penetration tests, etc., as well as monitoring key metrics such as availability and resource usage.
5. Involve All Stakeholders Throughout the Process
Finally, it’s important to involve relevant business units, IT staff, and other internal stakeholders at every step of the cloud migration strategy process in order to ensure that everyone is on board and has a clear understanding of what’s involved.
By including the voices of different stakeholders from the outset and keeping them informed along the way, you can help minimize resistance and encourage buy-in for your project goals.
Getting Help with Your Cloud Migration Strategy from KDIT
At KDIT, we have extensive experience working with businesses of all sizes to design and implement successful cloud migration strategies.
Our team of experts can help you assess your current environment and develop a roadmap for moving to the cloud that takes into account your specific business needs, resources, and budget.
Whether you’re just getting started with cloud migration or already have some initial experience under your belt, our consultants can work with you at every stage of the process to ensure that your migration goes smoothly and without incident.
From designing an architecture tailored to your systems and workloads, to developing custom tools and applications, to setting up monitoring and performance optimization solutions – we’ve got you covered.
Learn more about how KDIT can help ensure your cloud migration is a first-time success with a free consultation.w