Cloud migration is the process of an organisation’s moving their digital assets, which include data, applications, and IT resources, from on-premises infrastructure or legacy systems to cloud-based environments using cloud company like AWS, Microsoft Azure, Digital Ocean or Google Cloud. This shift is not only about relocating workloads but also about leveraging the cloud’s scalability, cost-effectiveness, and innovation potential to meet modern business demands and stay ahead of competition.
What is Cloud Migration?
Cloud migration refers to the process of transferring data, applications, and other business elements from a company’s on-premises computers or server to the cloud, or from one cloud environment to another. This can involve moving to public, private, hybrid, or multi-cloud environments, and may also include cloud-to-cloud migrations or even reverse migrations (de-clouding)
Importance of Cloud Migration in Modern Business
For today’s organizations, cloud migration is essential to remain competitive. It enables businesses to respond rapidly to changing market demands, scale resources efficiently, reduce operational costs, and innovate faster and stay ahead of competition. Cloud migration also supports digital transformation, enhances business continuity, and improves disaster recovery capabilities.
Types of Cloud Migration
Rehosting (“Lift and Shift”)
Rehosting, also known as “Lift and Shift,” involves taking an existing application and migrating it directly to the cloud, typically using Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). This method involves minimal changes to the application and is the quickest way to move workloads to the cloud.
Replatforming
Replatforming, or “lift and reshape,” involves making a few cloud optimizations to achieve tangible benefits without changing the core architecture of the application. This may involve upgrading the underlying platform or changing how the application interacts with storage and compute resources, while keeping the overall application architecture the same.
Refactoring / Rearchitecting
This method entails re-architecting applications to leverage cloud-native features such as microservices, serverless computing, and containerization. It offers maximum benefits but requires significant effort and investment. This may involve upgrading the underlying platform or changing how the application interacts with storage and compute resources, while keeping the overall application architecture the same.
Repurchasing
Organizations replace their existing applications with cloud-based alternatives, often moving from a traditional license to a SaaS model. This strategy is often used when the current on-premise application is outdated, and a cloud-native solution offers better functionality, security, and scalability.
Retiring and Retaining
Retiring is the process of discontinuing applications that are no longer needed or useful to the business. It is strategy is typically applied to outdated or redundant applications that don’t add value and can be removed from the IT environment.
In most scenarios, businesses choose to keep certain applications on-premise, while migrating others to the cloud. Retaining applications on-premise might be necessary due to regulatory requirements, cost considerations, or because they are not yet compatible with cloud environments waiting on.
Cloud Deployment Models
| Cloud Model | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
|
Public Cloud Private Cloud Hybrid Cloud Multi-Cloud |
Services are delivered over the public internet and shared across multiple tenants. Dedicated environment for a single organization, offering enhanced security and control. Combines public and private clouds, allowing data and applications to move between them. Utilizes services from multiple cloud providers to avoid vendor lock-in and optimize performance. |
Key Drivers for Cloud Migration
Cost Efficiency: Reduces capital expenditure and operational costs by retiring legacy infrastructure.
Scalability and Performance: Enables rapid scaling of resources to meet business demands.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Enhances resilience and failover capabilities.
Security and Compliance: Strengthens security posture and helps meet regulatory requirements.
Innovation and Agility: Accelerates digital transformation and fosters a culture of innovation.
Cloud Migration Strategy:
A cloud migration strategy is the plan an organisation makes to move its data and applications from an on-premises architecture to the cloud. These involves series of assessment and planning. Not all workloads benefit from running on cloud-based infrastructure, so it is important to validate the most efficient way to prioritize and migrate applications before going live. A systematic, documented strategy is crucial for .
1. Assessment and Planning
First, begin by assessing your current IT landscape, identifying workloads suitable for migration, and establishing clear business goals.
2. Selecting the Right Cloud Provider
Evaluate providers based on performance, security, compliance, integration, and cost. Consider factors like data center locations and support for specific technologies.
3. Choosing the Right Migration Approach
Select the migration strategy (rehost, replatform, refactor, etc.) that aligns with your objectives and workload requirements.
4. Building a Migration Roadmap
Develop a detailed plan outlining resources, timelines, responsibilities, and risk mitigation measures for each phase of the migration.
Cloud Migration Process Steps
Discovery and Analysis: Inventory applications and data, assess dependencies, and determine migration readiness.
Design and Architecture: Define the target cloud architecture, including networking, security, and disaster recovery.
Migration Execution: Move applications and data using appropriate tools and methods, ensuring minimal downtime.
Validation and Optimization: Test for performance, security, and functionality; optimize resources post-migration.
Common Challenges in Cloud Migration
While the benefits include scalability, cost savings, and agility, the process is often complex and poses several challenges. Below are common challenges faced during cloud migration
Downtime and Business Disruption: Migration can cause temporary service interruptions if not managed carefully.
Data Security and Compliance: Ensuring data privacy and regulatory compliance is critical during and after migration.
Application Compatibility: Legacy applications may require refactoring to function in the cloud.
Skills Gap and Change Management: Teams may need new skills and training to manage cloud environments effectively.
Key Drivers for Cloud Migration
Cost Efficiency: Reduces capital expenditure and operational costs by retiring legacy infrastructure.
Scalability and Performance: Enables rapid scaling of resources to meet business demands.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Enhances resilience and failover capabilities.
Security and Compliance: Strengthens security posture and helps meet regulatory requirements.
Innovation and Agility: Accelerates digital transformation and fosters a culture of innovation.
Cloud Migration Strategy
Assessment and Planning
Begin by assessing your current IT landscape, identifying workloads suitable for migration, and establishing clear business goals56.
Selecting the Right Cloud Provider
Evaluate providers based on performance, security, compliance, integration, and cost. Consider factors like data center locations and support for specific technologies5.
Choosing the Right Migration Approach
Select the migration strategy (rehost, replatform, refactor, etc.) that aligns with your objectives and workload requirements56.
Building a Migration Roadmap
Develop a detailed plan outlining resources, timelines, responsibilities, and risk mitigation measures for each phase of the migration56.
Cloud Migration Process Steps
Discovery and Analysis: Inventory applications and data, assess dependencies, and determine migration readiness6.
Design and Architecture: Define the target cloud architecture, including networking, security, and disaster recovery6.
Migration Execution: Move applications and data using appropriate tools and methods, ensuring minimal downtime6.
Validation and Optimization: Test for performance, security, and functionality; optimize resources post-migration6.
Common Challenges in Cloud Migration
Downtime and Business Disruption: Migration can cause temporary service interruptions if not managed carefully56.
Data Security and Compliance: Ensuring data privacy and regulatory compliance is critical during and after migration45.
Application Compatibility: Legacy applications may require refactoring to function in the cloud25.
Skills Gap and Change Management: Teams may need new skills and training to manage cloud environments effectively56.
5 Best Practices for Successful Cloud Migration
1. Develop a Clear Migration Strategy
Start with a well-defined plan that aligns cloud migration goals with business objectives.
Include: Scope, timeline, budget, risk assessment, and expected outcomes.
Tip: Use the “6 R’s of Migration” (Rehost, Replatform, Refactor, Repurchase, Retire, Retain) to classify workloads.
2. Assess and Prioritize Workloads
Not all applications are cloud-ready. Evaluate which systems to migrate first based on complexity, criticality, and compatibility.
Start with: Low-risk, high-impact applications for quick wins.
Use: Application dependency mapping and readiness assessments.
3. Ensure Security and Compliance
Integrate security and compliance at every stage of migration.
Action: Implement encryption, access controls, and continuous monitoring.
Compliance: Choose cloud providers that meet regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
4. Adopt a Phased Migration Approach
Avoid big-bang migrations. Move systems gradually to minimize risk and downtime.
Phases: Test, migrate, validate, and optimize in stages.
Method: Use hybrid or pilot migrations to ensure stability before full-scale deployment.
5. Upskill Teams and Involve Stakeholders
Train your IT and business teams on cloud tools, architecture, and management.
Action: Provide hands-on training and certifications (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
Engage: Include stakeholders early to ensure adoption and support.
