Key Aspects Of Planning A Hassle-Free Cloud Migration
If the current trends of cloud adoption are any indication, then we can safely conclude that more and more enterprises are convinced about wide ranging advantages of migrating to cloud. Although, cost efficiency, flexibility, and on demand scalability are prime advantages of cloud computing, there are many more benefits that are often missed by users of cloud computing.
One should not overlook the finer details of cloud implementation because it is only possible to understand intricacies of cloud migration by appreciating the small steps involved in the process.
It is observed that many organizations are aware about few initial steps while migrating to cloud computing. These include cloud costs, and logistical details about data migration from on-premise infrastructure to cloud environment.
Cloud migration can best be compared with moving one’s residence because it is usually easier said than done. One is tempted to adopt a casual approach by thinking that moving is nothing more than shifting the stuff from one place to another. If you ask anybody who has experienced the complexities of shifting, then you will be able to see the finer print.
The entire gamut of complex features of moving involves choosing the right place that would cater to your family’s needs without causing strain on your purse. The process of selection may be further complicated with a plethora of options and service providers who will try to add to the confusion.
Since there is a myriad of unknown variables in the process of cloud migration, one must try to get accustomed with important considerations before actually taking any step.
Understanding the need for cloud migration
Cloud migration involves three vital steps including readiness, shifting, and switchover. The actual migration process consists of implementing the data and software from the most recent backup in the cloud computing platform by executing a thorough verification process for flawless working of systems in the cloud environment.
A decision to shift workloads and business processes to cloud from a legacy hosting environment must be backed by a critical review of objectives. One must be able to prepare for migration of existing software as well as legacy applications by designing a robust plan that is backed by in-depth assessment of current level of IT assets.
A flawless migration plan should be capable of transferring the digital assets on ‘as is’ basis and exploit the opportunity of migration for upgrading the capabilities. You may use the advanced versions of technology stack of updating applications.
Keeping it as simple and straight as possible
In order to cater to varied needs of business processes, the functionalities of current applications can be extended by adjusting deployment architecture to enhance resiliency and performance of applications. Additionally, you may also identify the presence of outdated applications that need not be shifted to cloud at all.
Since cloud computing has evolved to be a robust and multi-faceted resource, there is a multitude of choices and opportunities to be explored for enhancing business processes of an organization. One must initiate by assaying organizational needs and objectives and then try to match with cloud computing solutions to select the most relevant solution that can cater to the needs in an efficient and cost effective manner.
You can begin by learning about benefits and limitations of private, public, and hybrid cloud models and decide the most suitable option that can fulfill your organization’s objectives. The next step should involve understanding about merits and demerits of service options in cloud computing including Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Software as a Service just to name a few.
Although, no single cloud hosting solution can boast of catering to all needs of applications or websites or be a one-size-fits-all resource, you can think of trying a large IaaS player such as Google, or AWS for an extensive range of services. You should not plan to build your own cloud unless there is a required expertise and presence of in-house talent pool. This also applies to cloud configurations that consist of hybrid cloud.
Any configuration of cloud computing must be singular and simple to begin with. According to stalwarts in cloud computing industry, every cloud computing configuration that has started as simple has potential to grow out to become a significantly complex resource.
Planning for future
As per the survey conducted by IDC, majority of IT executives are not sure about the optimization of cloud strategies. It would not possible to derive expected benefits of cloud migration unless one plans for the same by implementing the right steps.
This plan must comprise of data management and maintenance by leveraging tools provided by cloud providers. It is easy to project or anticipate cloud requirements by understanding data needs of the organization much before the actual process of migration is initiated. Growing with the cloud would be much easier if you have been able to establish a well-defined set of cloud objectives right from the initial stages.
