Top Cloud Migration Challenges with Solutions

There’s a strong buzz going on about the cloud. If you are associated with a business chasing growth, people around you must be throwing terms like cloud integration, migration, storage, and so on. But do you think switching to the cloud comes with threats? Do you think cloud migration challenges will hamper your business growth? If yes, then we feel you. However, this is like a no-pain, no-gain kind of scenario. How do we know? Well, the stats speak for themselves.

The last two points are indicative of how the majority of companies struggle with cloud migration challenges. So if you want to overcome these challenges and take advantage of the opportunities, then you have stopped by the right place! In this blog, we will discuss the key challenges of cloud migration. Along with this, we will also provide you with the solution to each problem. Thus, read till the end to become sure about your smooth transition to the cloud.

Why Move to The Cloud?

Before we move to the cloud migration challenges, let’s understand why you should make the decision to transition in the first place. Yes, the stats are convincing. But in this section, we will explain the benefits you’ll get once you get your hands on cloud migration services.

Reduces Operating Costs

Reduce costs and optimize operations by migrating to the cloud. A survey by Microsoft Office 365 found that 86% of small businesses cut operating costs after shifting to on-demand computing. With a pay-as-you-go model, you only pay for what you use, eliminating maintenance expenses for occasional IT assets. Plus, you get 24/7 technical support.

Greater Flexibility and Ability to Scale

When you leverage on-demand computing services, flexibility and scalability will come along. You could adjust resources instantly to meet changing needs. But that’s not the interesting part. You’ll get all this without being tied to contracts or rigid IT strategies.

Improved Security

Cloud migration challenges are a few rungs of the ladder. Once you step up, you get improved security from the cloud. It can also offer security features and automatic updates. But for this to happen, you should seek advanced digital transformation services. This move will ensure your system remains safe from unauthorized access.

Industry Compliance

Platforms like Azure and AWS offer certifications and auditing capabilities for various industries. In fact, there are specific provisions like AWS GovCloud (US). So, when even governments are encouraged to make their solutions more secure and compliant through cloud technology, every other industry should consider it. Therefore, whether you’re from banking, healthcare, or manufacturing, compliance will not be an issue when you move to the cloud.

Backup and Recovery

After successfully overcoming cloud migration challenges, you may observe business continuity. How? There will be no more data loss risks as built-in backup and recovery features will always remain available. That’s how cloud migration will protect you against costly expenses, even in the case of data failures or ransomware attacks.

Also Read- What is Cloud Business Intelligence and How It Helps Businesses Grow?

Key Cloud Migration Challenges and Solutions

Now that you know the perks of cloud computing, let’s talk about the hurdles of moving to the cloud and how to overcome them. While change can be tough, and people often resist it, don’t let technical obstacles hinder your business from reaching its full potential.

Challenge 1: Data Security Risks

This is by far one of the most prominent complaints businesses have when they plan to move to the cloud. There are two obvious reasons behind this. One is the vulnerability of data during the transition phase, i.e., when you move it from the physical servers to the cloud. The second reason is multiple accesses. You may have to give access to multiple people working with you for easy sharing and access to data. These risks may make you unknowingly leak sensitive business data.

Solution

Compared to other data storage facilities, the cloud is secure. But it’s always better to be double-sure and take some extra precautions when migrating your data. For this, ensure to move your data through a secure path within the firewall. For added assurance, encrypt your data and ensure that your strategy aligns with industry compliance standards.

Challenge 2: Cost

One of the other most prominent cloud migration challenges is the cost involved in the process. Though in the long run, moving to the cloud can prove to be a cost-saving decision, the upfront investment may become a problem for some companies. It’s because the related project expenses can make the overall costs skyrocket.

Wondering what could add up to the cost? It could be syncing your existing systems with cloud computing. Or, it may include the costs of the empty space left in the data centers. Whatever monetary burden it is, it occurs because companies do not rely on expert cloud integration services in the first place. That said, let’s move on to how you can overcome this issue.

Solution

First things first, plan very carefully. Cloud migration can always surprise you with added expenses. So, it’s better to rely on a vendor who is transparent and honest with you. If we categorize broadly, your types of cost during various phases of cloud migration can be the following.

Challenge 3: Selecting the Unsuitable Cloud Migration Strategy

Cloud migration challenges can become a routine if you and your team do not plan properly. So don’t make the common mistake of only concentrating on predicting and preparing for potential obstacles that come your way during the transition. Rather, focus on what you have currently and what will fit the best. Consider your existing infrastructure and imagine the desired cloud platform you want. Skipping this step often leads to not selecting the right cloud migration strategy. Let’s see what’s the answer to this problem.

Solution

When it comes to planning your migration, it’s important to have a comprehensive strategy. This strategy should cover all the important aspects of a successful transition. For instance, consider factors like app modernization and platform refactoring to ensure your applications and systems are in top shape for the cloud.

But again, to execute your planning effectively, you’ll need to take a close look at your current infrastructure. Then, assess what necessary adjustments you must make to optimize performance in the cloud.

Challenge 4: Skill Gap

When you make the switch to a cloud computing environment, you’re not just adopting new technologies and processes – you may also need to integrate with third-party services. Here’s the thing: your current employees might not have the exact skills and qualifications required to handle the IT responsibilities in this new setup. And that’s okay! It doesn’t mean they’re failures. However, training your existing employees to become friendly with cloud computing can be one of the key cloud migration challenges. So, let’s have a look at the resolution.

Solution

Consider the following steps to overcome the skill-based challenges of cloud migration–

• Firstly, hire a cloud migration expert. Take their help and upskill your team on cloud design and architecture.
• Encourage employee learning through trainings, certifications, and engaging lectures on cloud migration.
• Last but not least, hire DevOps engineers. This step will help you ensure a hassle-free cloud migration.

Challenge 5: Migration Complexities

One of the most bothersome cloud migration challenges includes project complexities. Switching to the cloud is not a copy-and-paste move. The transition from legacy software has to be well-thought-out. Many companies make the mistake of avoiding this and end up facing downtime and loss of crucial features. And let’s be honest, that leads to unhappy customers and a decrease in productivity.

Solution

To streamline your cloud migration process, allocating time for discovery tooling is crucial. Tools like Cloudamize and RISC Networks can connect your existing servers and gather data for analysis.

These tools save you time and eliminate the need for a lengthy manual process of analyzing application structure and dependencies. While they won’t document all features, that’s actually a good thing. But ensure you embrace the learning curve during the migration process. It’s an opportunity to enhance functionality and achieve what you truly need.

Challenge 6: Network Bandwidth

When it comes to moving databases, network bandwidth requirements may become one of the potential cloud migration challenges. Still, it’s crucial for applications to perform at least as well as their on-premise counterparts, if not better. Failing to define the bandwidth requirements accurately can lead to latency issues, causing a negative user experience and failing to meet your business needs. So, don’t overlook this step! Take the time to assess and determine the necessary network bandwidth requirements. How to do that? Let’s have a look.

Solution

The best way to ace this challenge is to define “minimum viable cloud.” For this, the first thing you need to do is assess your various frameworks. This may include security framework, network architecture, and more. Then, take the help of network technology modeling tools. These tools, along with a reliable team during migration, will help you factor in network constraints. Together, they help you get rid of any annoying delays and give you an exceptional user experience.

Challenge 7: Cloud Vendor Dependency in Migration Strategy

Imagine you’ve picked a cloud provider. But things don’t go as planned. Switching to a different cloud vendor can be a real headache, taking up valuable time and money. You might start worrying if you’re stuck in an unsatisfactory collaboration. If you’re worried, let us tell you that you’re not alone. This is one of the most common cloud migration challenges.

Solution

To avoid getting stuck with the wrong cloud vendor, conduct thorough research on potential providers and examine their offerings closely. Refer to the following points to ensure you conduct beneficial research.

• Ensure the vendor helps you with data portability and avoiding proprietary formats. Let them define data models using relevant standards.
• Incorporate an exit strategy and associated costs in your contract.
• Increase software portability. It will help you avoid risks related to proprietary formatting lock-ins.

Challenge 8: Cloud Environment Adoption Resistance

It’s natural for employees to worry that moving to the cloud will make them lose control over their data and how things work. Change can be tough, and switching to a cloud-based system means even more changes in processes, systems, and possibly even leadership. It’s common for people to resist change. As a business owner, you can face this one of the most typical cloud migration challenges. Still, with the right support and communication, you can easily navigate through the transition and embrace the benefits of cloud computing.

Solution

Make sure to provide proper training to your employees regarding the new cloud environment. Include the tools and processes you plan to use. The path you follow is called a change management plan. This plan should be well-thought-out and cover the period before, during, and after the migration to ensure everyone is on board and prepared for the new IT strategy. During this phase, take the time to address any concerns your employees may have. By involving them and actively addressing their worries, you can help alleviate difficulties and make the transition smoother for everyone involved.

Ready to Overcome Cloud Migration Challenges?

At Matellio, we specialize in providing comprehensive cloud migration services for businesses across all industries. Our expertise allows us to tackle specific challenges with carefully planned steps and industry best practices. By choosing our migration services, you can enjoy-

• Cost-efficient maintenance
• Automatic software updates
• Increased processing capability
• Enhanced data loss prevention, and much more

No matter the size of your project or your preferred cloud platform, whether it’s Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, or Google Cloud, we have the expertise to handle it all.

So, now that you’re aware of the challenges and solutions involved in cloud migration, there’s no reason to hold back from embracing on-demand computing.

If you’re facing cloud migration challenges, share your problem statement with us. We’ll help provide a viable solution and work according to a custom strategy that best fits your business needs. Contact us today to kick-start your cloud migration journey!