Demand for cloud migration is growing. Gartner reported that 95% of data workloads will move to the cloud by 2025, increased by 30% in 2021.
Cloud migration is the process of shifting the organization's IT assets such as servers, databases, IT resources, and applications to the cloud. It brings enticing benefits for businesses such as highly scalable and available IT operations, cost reduction, improved security and compliance along with super-agile performance at user levels.
Typically, businesses get 30-50% cost savings through shifting from on-prem to cloud, with cloud providers such as AWS or Azure. In a recent instance, a UAE-based FMCG company was struggling with complex infrastructure, unreliable support, high people dependency and low scalability. A fool-proof SAP ERP migration enabled uninterrupted business continuity, 22% higher productivity and a 40% TCO reduction.
Cloud migration demands a cultural shift, and a detailed roadmap. A single misstep can result in costly, and time-consuming delays, business disruptions, and outages. That’s what makes cloud migration challenging. There are difficulties when migrating monolithic apps as there are complexities involved in the process. There is also a shortage of the necessary skillsets in the market. The process is riddled with obstacles such as the necessity of maintaining high availability, security and reliability. An expert partner could save much of that hassle and help enterprises effectively scale to cloud regardless of the complexity of their existing IT landscapes.
Major Cloud Adoption Models
1. IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service)
This model entitles that the cloud provider or partner shall take responsibility of the hosted infrastructure while the client would assume responsibility of all assets running on that infra. The existing assets transitioned to a dedicated cloud server from a local hosting or on-prem server. This process often takes longer and is handled by developers due to data complexities and application functionalities.
2. PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service)
This model kicks in when a client business wishes to migrate or switch to cloud-based middleware, OS, IT, Data platforms. The provider assumes responsibility for the migrated platform and the servers running the same while the customer is responsible for the applications, workloads run via the platforms.
3. SaaS (Software-as-a-Service)
This model is undertaken when enterprises wish to migrate or switch to cloud-based business software and applications such as ERP, CRM, HRM, Sales Automation, etc. Under this model, providers assume complete responsibility of the software runtime along with the platforms, infra underneath while the client is responsible for the workloads, data, and activities done via the software.
Best Practices for Successful Cloud Migration
Cloud migration aids to accomplish real-time benefits with updated performance and efficiency. Following are some best practices for successful cloud migration:
1. Evaluate the complexity of apps and data
When determining the applications’ complexity, their connections are critical elements. You need to map application dependencies to know the other apps and servers it communicates with.
2. Develop a robust migration plan
Post-migration, inspect and monitor the cloud environment. Get a correlation between the various components to identify the impacted areas. For example, scrutinizing the resource utilization pattern and servers to reduce infrastructure cost.
2. Develop a robust migration plan
Post-migration, inspect and monitor the cloud environment. Get a correlation between the various components to identify the impacted areas. For example, scrutinizing the resource utilization pattern and servers to reduce infrastructure cost.
3. A proper Disaster Recovery Plan (DR) in place
Cloud migration entails moving away from a tried and tested configuration. The right plans, backups, and fail-safes must be in place to deal with unplanned downtime. A disaster recovery plan (DRP) can help in this situation.
4. Train your staff
Cloud technology is different from in-house technology, especially when switching from legacy infrastructure to the cloud for the first time. Employees must be trained to work with a certain cloud provider. This training isn’t a one-time event as there will be regular updates.
5. Avoid vendor lock-in
Select the right cloud vendor to avail fail-proof futures technology roadmap. As multi-cloud configuration provides best features, some businesses opt it to reduce risks.
6. Align stakeholders across IT & business
Ensure technical obstacles and business goals to prevent delays and insufficient data transfers. Involve other stakeholders to determine what apps are critical to move first. If the migration causes any disruptions, they should be informed in a timely manner.
7. Manage software licensing
Identify whether on-prem software license is applicable on the cloud. Use Bring Your Own Software and License (BYOSL) program for migrating apps and document all apps and examine their license policies. When in doubt, check with the vendor to determine if the existing license can be upgraded for the apps.
8. Automate whenever feasible
Cloud automation can build infrastructure as code and deploy applications automatically without any downtime. Automate repeatable tasks to shorten the migration time, and improve process efficiency.
9. Monitoring and governance
Post-migration, inspect and monitor the cloud environment. Get a correlation between the various components to identify the impacted areas. For example, scrutinizing the resource utilization pattern and servers to reduce infrastructure cost.
Cloud4C's Migration Factory Approach
With Cloud4C, enterprises save the hassles of moving to cloud and managing the ecosystem on a daily basis. Regardless of existing landscape size and complexity, Cloud4C helps in seamless migration, modernization, and managed services on any cloud of choice at highest uptimes till application login layer. With Cloud4C, you get an end-to-end partner delivering maximum cloud value while assisting with business-focused outcomes.
The promise of zero friction migration in a single SLA is possible with Cloud4C’s standardized, fully automated Cloud Migration Factory Approach. Supported by an experienced workforce empowered by tried and tested cloud native tools, Cloud4C takes care of your application, infra, platforms, database migration needs without fail at rapid turnaround time. Cloud4C’s Well Architected Reviews and Cloud Adoption Frameworks ensure that a fool-proof blueprint was already in place even before the migration happened. Click here to know more.
