Cloud Migration Strategy: Driving Your Business Growth

Are you willing to upgrade your business from an outdated, inefficient legacy infrastructure? Do you wish to embrace technology and stay competitive in this digital age?

You would be surprised to know that various industries are using these migration strategies on the global level. As per the report, the market of cloud migration was valued at $11.7 billion in 2022. And now, it is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 25.9% from 2023 to 2030. The growth of this market is evident, and the increasing adoption rate of cloud-based technologies in different industries is said to be one of the major drivers of this growth. You can choose this cost-effective and efficient way to upgrade your business.

These stats would have given you a glimpse of how almost every business understands the importance of cloud migration strategies.

So let us move further and explore different aspects related to the strategies of the cloud migration process, and start by answering this simple yet vital question:

What Is Cloud Migration Strategy?

You might be aware of this answer, but to the readers who are new to the concept, it’s vital to learn about the answer to this question. Well, cloud migration is a process where all your digital assets and data are transferred from your current infrastructure to the cloud.

The process cannot be done randomly; rather, a strategy is selected that suits your requirement, and then the transferring process is done. Leveraging the strategies for your cloud migration process can ensure the smooth running of the operations during and after the migration. These strategies are also counted as one of the vital components of digital transformation services that can help your business grow.

Factors Driving Businesses to Choose Cloud Migration Strategies

Companies seeking digital transformation to earn long-term profit by preparing their business for the future are adopting cloud migration strategies. So, it will not be wrong to say that these strategies are not any sci-fi concept but rather have grown to be the backbone of today’s businesses.

No matter which industry your business belongs to, if you wish your business to become more agile, responsive, and flexible in every move, then leveraging cloud technology is the best. You can handle multiple challenges that are impacting your business, majorly using the cloud migration strategy. Here you can find some of the significant factors that can make you choose cloud technology for your business growth:

Growth of Data Storage Requirement

Currently, to meet your data storage needs, you would be dependent on the traditional on-premises storage solution. However, the volume of data has grown exponentially. Do you think that your current data storage solution is enough for storage? No, the traditional storage solutions have become inadequate, expensive, and difficult to manage. By migrating to the cloud, you can access virtually limitless storage capacity, eliminating the need for expensive hardware upgrades and maintenance.

Green IT

Another factor that can make you choose a cloud migration strategy is to make your business practices environment-friendly. Traditional on-premises data centers require a significant amount of energy to operate and maintain, resulting in high energy bills and increased carbon emissions. On the other hand, with cloud computing, you can reduce your carbon footprint by leveraging shared infrastructure and energy-efficient practices.

Keeping Up with Changing Customer Behavior

As consumer behavior continues to evolve, you need to adapt quickly and respond to changing demands in order to grow. With the help of cloud computing, your business can gain the flexibility and agility required to handle the changing market conditions. Thus, you will be ready to launch new products or services in a more efficient manner.

Need for Real-Time Information

Business growth in this digital era depends upon multiple factors; real-time information is one of the vital ones. In order to make a place in this fast-paced business environment, you need to make many crucial decisions. Real-time information can help you with the same. Traditionally the data storing and processing methods were time-consuming. It was a bit tough to get hold of the data quickly when required to make some decisions. By leveraging the cloud computing migration strategy, this issue can be easily resolved. It allows you to access real–time data, and you can make efficient and quick decisions.

Prioritizing Security and Privacy

Data security and privacy might be the top concerns for you today. Traditional on-premises data centers are vulnerable to security breaches, and your business can face significant financial and reputational damage. Leveraging the cloud computing provider’s services, you get robust security measures. These measures include encryption and multi-factor authentication to protect the data within your multiple processes and ensure their privacy.

Handling Workload

Managing workload is an essential aspect of any business operation. You will agree that with the traditional process, you can struggle to handle sudden spikes in workload, leading to system crashes and downtime. On the other hand, when you leverage the services of cloud migration strategy consulting providers, they can offer you the best way to manage the workload.

With cloud migration, you can bag the scalability and elasticity, enabling your business to easily scale up or down the workload as needed, ensuring that you can handle workload spikes without any disruption to your operations.

Significance of Cloud Migration Strategy in the Digital Transformation of Your Business

Digital transformation has become a critical strategy for any business that is willing to remain competitive and relevant in the modern age. However, achieving digital transformation is not easy, and it requires a thoughtful and well-executed plan. If you are willing to adopt suitable cloud migration strategies for your business growth, it will become one of the key components of your digital transformation initiatives.

Using the strategy for cloud migration will play a vital role in allowing your business to have a modernized IT infrastructure. It will not only enhance the agility of your business but also improve innovation.

Modernizing IT Infrastructure

With cloud migration, your business can modernize its IT infrastructure by moving its applications and data to the cloud. It will also eliminate the need for costly hardware and maintenance. It means that your business can scale its IT infrastructure more quickly and efficiently while also improving the security and accessibility of its data.

Enhancing Agility

Selecting the right cloud migration strategy can offer your business the ability to be quick in responding to changing market conditions, customer needs, and emerging technologies. By moving to the cloud, you can deploy new applications and services. It can level up your business and make it more efficient, and let you stay ahead of the competition.

Improving Innovation

You need to add innovation to your various business processes to transform them digitally as per today’s market scenario. Cloud migration can provide your business with the ability to experiment with new technologies, such as AI and IoT, without the need for significant capital investments. It will allow your business to innovate and iterate faster, enabling it to stay ahead of the curve and deliver better products and services to your customers. By adopting the right cloud migration strategy, you can easily integrate AI and IoT solutions with your existing systems, as cloud computing offers various tools and APIs.

Facilitating Collaboration

Lastly, cloud migration enables your business to collaborate more effectively, regardless of your location or time zone. By moving to the cloud, you can provide your employees with access to shared resources and applications, enabling them to work together more efficiently and effectively.

Top 7 Cloud Migration Strategies

After scrolling here, you will agree that moving your data to the cloud has become an essential part of your business transformation. You will also have to agree that for this, you need to choose the right cloud-based enterprise solutions that can make all the difference that you desire.

Cloud migration can be called a solution that can upgrade your business. The primary goal of any cloud migration strategy is to move applications, data, and infrastructure from on-premises to cloud-based environments. Now, there are multiple options available for you to choose the right migration strategy suiting your business needs. Here we will explore some of the major strategies that you can choose for your cloud migration process, and they are:

Repackaging

It is the process of taking an application and reconfiguring it to run on a different platform. In cloud migration, repackaging can convert your application if it is designed for on-premises infrastructure to run on a cloud-based infrastructure. It is an approach that is best suited if you have small and simple applications that don’t require any significant changes.

Advantages

• It is one of the fastest cloud migration strategies, as it requires minimal changes to the application itself.
• Since the application code is not modified, the risk of introducing bugs or errors is relatively low. It can be particularly important for critical applications that cannot afford downtime or bugs.   

Types of Business

If you have a business with applications that are still in active use and cannot be easily modified or updated, then this cloud data migration strategy is best for you. It can include legacy applications, as well as custom-built applications that have not been updated in some time.

Redeployment

It involves taking an application and redeploying it to a cloud-based infrastructure without making any significant changes. In this approach, your application is moved from one platform to another, and the necessary configurations are made to ensure that it runs correctly.

Advantages

• Choosing redeployment can be one of the quickest ways to move applications to the cloud. It can be completed in a matter of days or weeks rather than months.
• It is a cloud migration strategy that usually is less expensive than other migration strategies, such as refactoring or repurchasing because there is minimal need for reconfiguration or customization.

Types of Businesses

If you have a business with legacy applications, then redeployment is a good option for you. And as this migration strategy requires minimal changes to the application code, making it a good choice if you have limited IT resources.

Rehosting

Next on the list of cloud migration strategies is rehosting, also known as lift and shift. It is the process where your application is moved from an on-premises infrastructure to a cloud-based infrastructure, and no changes are made within the application. It is an approach that involves copying your application’s code, data, and configurations to the cloud-based infrastructure.

Advantages

• There is minimal disruption to the application or business during the migration process.
• Rehosting typically involves lower costs as there is no need to re-architect or refactor the application.

Types of Businesses

If your business has an application requiring minimal modification, rehosting is an ideal strategy for you. It can also help you in migrating the application quickly without causing much disruption to the existing operations.

Repurchasing

It is a cloud data migration strategy, also known as Replacing strategy. It involves completely replacing your legacy application with a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution that offers similar or identical capabilities. With the help of this migration strategy, your business can leverage multiple perks of cloud computing, such as flexibility and access to the different advanced features.

Advantages

• With SaaS, you need to pay only for the services that you use, reducing the need for expensive hardware and maintenance costs.
• You can access the SaaS applications from anywhere if you have an internet connection to increase collaboration and flexibility.

Types of Business

If you belong to the small to medium-sized business category and do have the resources to maintain on-premises applications, then this migration strategy is best for you. Or if your business requires mobile or remote workforces with flexible and accessible software solutions and rapid scalability, then repurchasing can be your choice.

Refactoring

It is a cloud migration strategy which is also known as re-architecting. that involves modifying your application’s code to make it suitable for the cloud environment. Significant changes are made within your application’s architecture to optimize it for a cloud-based infrastructure. It is an approach that involves breaking the application into smaller components, making it more scalable and fault tolerant.

Advantages

• Refactoring can help optimize application performance, as cloud-native services are designed to work efficiently in the cloud environment.
• It can help in improving your application’s scalability by leveraging cloud-native features such as auto-scaling.

Types of Business

If you need to optimize your applications for the cloud environment, then refactoring is best suited for your business. It is also ideal for businesses that are looking to modernize their legacy applications and take advantage of cloud-native features such as serverless computing, containers, and microservices.

Retiring

It is another vital cloud migration strategy that involves identifying and decommissioning your applications that are no longer required. You can choose the retiring migration strategy to reduce the complexity of your applications and make them work smoothly. It is an approach that can help you in handling large numbers of applications that are accumulated with time and streamline your IT infrastructure.

Advantage

• Retiring applications reduces the complexity of the IT infrastructure and makes its management and maintenance easier for you.
• Removing legacy applications reduces the risk of security vulnerabilities and makes it easier to manage and maintain security.

Types of Business

If your business has accumulated a large number of applications over time, and you are looking to simplify your IT infrastructure, a retiring strategy can be a good choice. You can also choose this migration strategy if your business has undergone mergers or acquisitions and has inherited redundant applications or services.

Retaining

Lastly, we have the cloud migration strategy called retaining. It is the strategy where some parts of your application or infrastructure remain in the on-premises environment while other parts are migrated to the cloud. It is a hybrid approach that will provide flexibility to your business and help you to optimize costs and avoid risks associated with a full-scale migration to the cloud.

Advantages

• Retaining certain aspects of an application or infrastructure in the on-premises environment can help your business to ensure the security and compliance of sensitive data and applications.
• Retaining provides flexibility to your business in terms of your migration strategy. You can choose which parts of your infrastructure you want to keep on-premises and which parts you want to migrate to the cloud.

Types of Business

If your business is facing complex IT infrastructure, then retaining will allow you to migrate to the cloud gradually while keeping some parts of your infrastructure on-premises. A retaining migration strategy is best suited if your business belongs to industries such as healthcare, finance, and government.

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

How to Choose a Cloud Migration Strategy?

After scrolling through the vital strategies that can be used for your cloud migration process, it’s time to learn about the method of how you can choose the best among the variations.

Assess the Requirement

The first step demands that you must identify your business objective of adopting the cloud migration process. You need to ask yourself why you want to migrate to the cloud. What are the changes that you are anticipating? Answering these questions will offer you clarity about your plans with cloud technology. The clearer your thoughts are, the more chances of choosing the best strategy increase.

Planning

Once you have identified your business goals and objectives, the next step is to assess your current environment and plan accordingly. It will give you clarity about what applications and data need to be migrated. It will also let you identify any potential risks or challenges that need to be addressed before migrating to the cloud.

While planning, it’s important to define the scope and timeline of your cloud migration. Defining the scope helps you prioritize which applications and data to migrate first and what resources and budget will be required. Setting a realistic timeline is also essential to avoid potential delays and ensure that your cloud migration project stays on track.

Cloud Migration Partner

Before moving further, it is essential to have the right partner beside you as it can ensure the success of your cloud migration project. Evaluating potential partners is important to ensure they have the expertise and experience necessary to support your cloud migration. Considerations for partner selection include:

• Evaluating their track record.
• Looking at customer reviews and testimonials.
• Assessing their certifications and partnerships with cloud providers.

Additionally, you need to understand that the cloud migration services you leverage should offer you migration and post-migration support just like Matellio does. Our experts will make sure that you receive our support even after the solution is submitted from our end.

Identify the Best Migration Strategies

You are aware that there are multiple types of cloud migration strategies available. So, the next step is choosing the appropriate strategy for your project. Remember that it is a critical decision to choose the right cloud migration strategy, as it will have a significant impact on your business.

You need to be very attentive to your requirements when you make this decision. Once you’ve identified the appropriate cloud migration strategy, you’ll need to select the right tools and technologies to support your migration. These tools may include cloud migration tools, migration assessment tools, and cloud automation tools.

Pre-Migration Checks

Before you start the process of migrating to the cloud, it’s important to conduct pre-migration checks to ensure that your applications and data are ready for migration. Data and application assessment will guide you in identifying the challenges or issues that you face during the process. It will also allow you to determine whether any data needs to be cleansed or migrated separately.

Cloud migration testing strategy is another critical pre-migration check, as it involves validating and verifying the functionality, performance, and security of the cloud environment before, during, and after the migration process. It can help in ensuring a smooth and successful migration process while minimizing the risk of disruption and downtime.

You need to make performance and scalability assessments at this step. It helps you identify any performance bottlenecks or issues that may impact your application’s performance after migration. With the help of these assessments, you can optimize your application’s performance and ensure that it scales as your business grows.

Migration

After careful planning, it’s time to execute the complex process, but there are some vital aspects that must be considered during the application of cloud migration strategy. Data security is essential to ensure that your data is protected and secure. You must check that your data is encrypted as it will restrict access to sensitive data and monitor for any potential security threats.

Application compatibility and your team skills are also some of the points that require your attention. By being careful and addressing these essentials, you can ensure a successful cloud migration and avoid any potential issues or disruptions to your business operations.

Post-Migration

Once the process of cloud migration is completed, then it’s time to conduct some tests to validate the new environment. The applications are tested as it is essential to check whether they are functioning well or facing any issues. The testing will also give clarity about the data, that it is being stored and processed correctly.

You can reduce the costs of the migration process by monitoring resource utilization, identifying and then eliminating the resources that are not been used. Moreover, after the migration is completed, you must monitor and manage the cloud environment on a regular basis.

Final Word

At the end of this informative blog, you will agree that a cloud migration strategy is crucial to achieving digital transformation in today’s fast-paced business environment. It modernizes IT infrastructure, enhances agility, improves innovation, and facilitates collaboration.

By partnering with a reliable and experienced cloud migration partner like Matellio, businesses can ensure a smooth and successful transition to the cloud, enabling them to reap the benefits of cost savings, scalability, and improved security. Moreover, with our expertise in custom enterprise software development, businesses can leverage tailored cloud solutions that meet their specific needs and requirements.

It is because, at Matellio, we offer:

Expertise and Experience

With years of experience in the industry, Matellio has a deep understanding of cloud technologies and migration strategies. Our team of experts has successfully executed numerous cloud migration projects across diverse industries, gaining valuable insights and expertise along the way.

Client-Centric Approach

We prioritize understanding your business goals and challenges. We work closely with you to create customized migration strategies aligned with your specific needs. Our client-centric approach ensures that your unique requirements are met, and you receive personalized attention throughout the migration process.

Data Security and Compliance

We prioritize data security and compliance during the migration process. Our team follows industry best practices to ensure that your data remains secure during transit and at rest in the cloud environment. We also assist in implementing necessary measures to maintain compliance with relevant regulations.

So, if you’re looking to migrate to the cloud and drive digital transformation, Matellio is the perfect partner to guide you through the process.