Cloud migration is one of the most significant technology decisions organizations make. Done well, it delivers cost savings, scalability, and agility. Done poorly, it results in expensive failures, data loss, and extended downtime. The difference is planning.
Understanding the Cloud
Cloud isn't one-size-fits-all. Public cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) offers cost efficiency and global reach but less control. Private cloud provides control and security. Hybrid cloud balances both. Your migration strategy depends on selecting the right model for your needs.
Assessment Phase
Successful migration starts with thorough assessment. Which applications can move to cloud? Which need to stay on-premises? What are dependencies? What are compliance requirements? What skills does your team have? This assessment reveals realistic timelines and costs.
Cost Analysis
Cloud promises cost savings, but only if properly planned. Analyze current IT infrastructure costs—hardware, maintenance, personnel. Compare against projected cloud costs. Include migration costs and training. Real analysis often reveals cost benefits aren't automatic; they require optimization.
Migration Methodology
The 6 Rs framework guides migration decisions: Rehost (lift and shift), Replatform (lift, tinker, and shift), Refactor (re-architect), Repurchase (switch to SaaS), Retire (decommission), or Retain (keep on-premises). Different applications use different strategies.
Risk & Compliance
Migration carries risks: data security, regulatory compliance, vendor lock-in, performance issues. Good planning identifies these risks upfront and implements controls. Compliance requirements—HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR—must be understood before migration begins.
Testing & Validation
Never migrate critical systems without thorough testing. Validate functionality, performance, security. Run parallel systems during transition. Have rollback plans if issues arise. This adds cost and time but prevents expensive failures.
Training & Support
Cloud changes how IT teams work. New skills are needed. Staff training is critical. Support structures must be in place. Post-migration optimization is ongoing—cloud requires continuous management to achieve promised benefits.