Developing a Cloud Migration Strategy

Developing a Cloud Migration Strategy

With the many benefits of cloud computing, organizations of all types and sizes have migrated to a cloud environment. To ensure a smooth transition, the most important thing to do before starting the process is to create a detailed and organized strategy. If you are developing a cloud migration strategy, here are seven straightforward steps to make sure that your move is an easy one.

1.    Understand Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has many benefits. Using a cloud-based system is more cost-effective in the long-term, though initial costs may seem high. Cloud environments are more adaptable and secure than on-site networks and have the added benefit of being accessible anywhere. Switching to a cloud system can increase your organization’s profitability, productivity, and competitiveness.

2.   Determine Your Reasons for Migration

As mentioned, there are many good reasons to migrate your system to the cloud. However, to choose the best strategy for your organization and team, you need to determine the exact reasons for your migration. By knowing exactly what you want to accomplish with the move, you can formulate your strategy to achieve those goals.

3.    Understand the Challenges

There are some risks and challenges that can result from cloud migration. Your system may have to go offline during the process, and you may need to be prepared with backups or resource allocation.

Your data can be vulnerable during the move to the cloud. To reduce data loss and breach risks, extreme care has to be taken. Additionally, both during and after the move, you may need to restructure or make changes to your IT department. They might be unfamiliar with cloud computing, which could require adding new roles and re-educating your IT team.

To confront these challenges, you have to develop an excellent cloud migration strategy.  Luckily this is where AlleoTech can help. We can setup, execute and maintain your cloud environment so you don’t have to train and hire new IT staff.

4.    Examine Your Team’s Strengths

Look at your team’s strengths and technical expertise to determine which aspects of the move will require the most focus. Find out which programming languages your team members are most familiar with and decide how to use that experience.

Restructuring your network will require training for the whole team, for both the process itself and to use the system after it is established. Communication is key. You need to keep your team informed about what changes are being made and how long the migration will take.

If it is needed, do not be afraid to hire an external consultant. You want to make this process as easy as possible for your team and organization. The best way to do so may be with the help of an outside expert. We are a managed solutions provider that can solve all your IT related needs!

5.    Migrate in Pieces

The complexity of an already established system can present difficulties when transferring to a cloud environment. You will want to plan to migrate in pieces to reduce the chances of something going wrong.

6.    Decide Which Type of System You Will Use

It is important to figure out which type of cloud system will work best for you and your team. Public, private, hybrid, and multicloud networks all present unique advantages and challenges. To determine which will be best for you, you may want to calculate your potential cloud server requirements. Also understanding the benefits and limitations of each of the main cloud platforms ( AWS, Azure and Google Cloud ).  We will build a custom migration plan that provides your business with optimal performance while also ensuring that your monthly cost is as low as possible.

7.    Look at the Six Main Types of Strategies

There are six main approaches to cloud migration, though these are very general. Based on the information you have gathered with the previous steps, you can choose which of these methods will be the most effective for your organization.

1)     Rehosting

Rehosting involves lifting your current environment, without extensive changes, and shifting it to the cloud.

2)     Replatforming

Similar to rehosting, replatforming requires few changes. However, it does involve more than rehosting. The core structure of applications remains the same as the environment is shifted to the cloud.

3)     Repurchasing

Repurchasing involves moving your applications to a cloud-native product. This method is best for those moving from a highly customized landscape.

4)     Refactoring

Refactoring requires rebuilding your applications from scratch. Usually, organizations will refactor if they need to use cloud capabilities that are not available in their current environments.

5)     Retiring

If you discover that you have some applications that are no longer useful, you can retire them.

6)     Retaining

Some organizations may find that moving their entire system to a cloud environment may not be best. In that case, they can retain the use of non-cloud landscapes where necessary.

Final Thoughts

When developing a cloud migration strategy, there are many factors to take into consideration. With our guide, you will be able to determine which areas you will need to focus on and how you can find the best strategy for your organization.

If you need more information or assistance for your move to a cloud environment, check out Alleo.Tech. We can help you review your current IT setup and make changes.

How Can AlleoTech Help?

We are a team of IT Professionals and we understand that delivering a successful IT project can be complex and overwhelming. At AlleoTech, we will work with you every step of the way from architecting a migration plan that best suits your business to delivering the final result. 

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