Cloud migration isn’t a new concept in the IT sector since cloud technology brings users more flexibility and better performance.
Companies worldwide seem to have picked up on the trend as they started introducing various cloud computing services into their businesses. For example, on-premises and legacy infrastructures are heavily being replaced with the adoption of cloud technology, and there are no signs of cloud transformation slowing down anytime soon.
If you’re curious about cloud migration and want to learn more, you’re in the right place. Besides going through the vital migration steps you need to follow, we also covered the main benefits of moving to the cloud.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this topic.
7 key steps to successful cloud migration
Switching to the cloud is a serious step that every business or organization must approach seriously. Here’s an application migration checklist that ensures you go through all the essential steps of the process.
1. Prepare for the Migration
First, you must assess whether your company is ready for the big move. That doesn’t only include inspecting the section you’re planning to move but examining your company as a whole.
This step is crucial because the move will undoubtedly affect the entire organization. You will probably need to educate your employees on using the new technology and optimize your business activities to work well with the new system.
Therefore, before you go any further, ensure your company is adequately prepared for cloud migration.
2. Define Your Cloud Architecture
Every business can move to the cloud for a different reason. When you ensure you’re ready for the move, it’s necessary to define the goals your company plans on achieving by transferring to cloud services.
Once you have a set of the goals you want to accomplish, it’ll be easier to define the exact cloud architecture you should go with.
From shallow and deep cloud integration to different available cloud environments, you can customize cloud technology to a great extent. Since so many options are available, defining your desired cloud architecture is essential to getting what you want from cloud migration.
3. Choose a Cloud Provider
Besides different cloud architectures and services, companies must also choose a solution enabler to provide them with cloud services. Handling the entire process of migration internally can be extremely overwhelming, which is why most companies decide to work with vendors that specialize in offering cloud services.
Your cloud provider should be your lifetime partner in maintaining and improving your cloud network. With that in mind, you should choose a provider that understands your company’s needs, goals, and priorities.
Working with the right cloud provider will ensure you get the best cloud technology, which can equip your business with countless benefits.
4. Calculate Cloud Migration Costs
Although migration to the cloud is an excellent move for any business, it’s a significant investment that requires a careful calculation of costs. The cost of cloud migration depends on numerous factors, including the services you’re planning to introduce, the provider you want to go with, and the size of your business.
Nevertheless, calculating cloud migration costs will allow you to outline and prepare a cloud migration budget required for the needed services. After you calculate the expected costs, you’ll be able to manage your finances and create a cloud migration plan you can afford and maintain in the future.
5. Create a Disaster Recovery Plan
Before you jump into implementing cloud technology within your company, creating a disaster recovery plan is essential. A proper disaster recovery plan contains clear and actionable guidelines with which you can mitigate potential threats and risks.
For instance, a good disaster recovery plan will contain a reliable risk assessment strategy that you can use to examine the level of risk your company is experiencing at specific periods. Furthermore, disaster recovery plans include a list of useful prevention tips and all response and recovery measures. Finally, the plans also need a list of employees responsible for executing the plan.
6. Execute the Migration
When the entire preparation for cloud migration is complete, it’s time to execute the migration and enjoy the numerous benefits of cloud services. Executing the migration means all the preparations are finally finished, and the real thing is happening.
Executing cloud migration can happen in two ways – you can choose to transfer all your activities and datasets at once, or you can slowly move your processes one by one.
Regardless of the approach, executing the migration will require you to be dedicated to the process if you want it to succeed.
7. Monitor and Adjust
Just because the process of cloud migration is complete doesn’t mean there’s nothing to think about or do in connection to the cloud.
In fact, cloud technology needs to be regularly monitored and adjusted if you want it to serve you in the best possible way. By keeping your cloud services optimized, you’ll ensure receiving the best outcomes over and over again.
Final Thoughts
Migration to the cloud is something all companies consider today. If you’re responsible for one of such companies, you’d surely like to know more about the entire process. By learning about the seven key steps to cloud migration, you’ll be able to secure a seamless transition for your employees, clients, and the company.
