If you’re thinking about moving your IT infrastructure to the public cloud or have already committed to the idea but are unsure how to proceed, you don’t want to be the one caught trying to reinvent the wheel only to fail miserably. Using the lessons learned from those who have gone before, you increase your chances of completing a successful cloud migration on the first try. Reduced costs streamlined day-to-day operations, IT team expansion, flexibility, and scalability are just a few of the benefits that can be achieved if done correctly.
Here are 6 steps to help you migrate to the cloud, that should help you on your journey!
- Determine why your company is migrating to the cloud.
You must determine whether it is truly necessary to invest the time and resources required to migrate your infrastructure to the cloud. Will you be able to reap all of the benefits that the cloud has to offer in order to justify the cost and time required for the migration?
- Define your migration objectives.
Migrating to the cloud necessitates a thorough understanding of the company’s applications. Begin by auditing your digital assets to determine their scope. Make a list of the software that is currently in use, determine which apps no longer provide value, and then determine which apps can add the most value in the cloud.
- Choosing the Best Cloud Partner
If your group has the technical knowledge to perform a cloud migration, you are one step ahead of most organizations entering the cloud space for the first time. If this is not the case, and you believe you lack the resources or competency to complete any of the items on this list, now is the time to find a cloud partner. The choice of a cloud partner can mean the difference between a successful cloud migration and a disastrous failure. When choosing a partner, make sure they have performed similar migrations to your current project with companies of similar size and industry. Furthermore, confirming that the partner is a multi-cloud partner affiliated ensures that you are getting a certified team that is knowledgeable about multi-cloud environments.
- Create a Roadmap
After conducting an IT inventory and reviewing cloud options, it is time to begin developing a cloud migration roadmap to help layout the long-term plan for the migration. Whether it takes a few weeks or a few months, make sure the roadmap is appropriate for your company and that you are not attempting to meet an unrealistic goal. Rushing the process will only lead to more problems in the future. Having an accurate roadmap will assist you and your cloud partner in remaining on track and on target.
- Implementation of the Migration Plan
While it may appear to be one of the more difficult steps, actually putting the plan into action may be the most difficult. However, the more adaptable and agile you are, the faster you will be able to overcome obstacles and continue with the implementation process. Do not be afraid to make changes if they are necessary. Just make sure they are necessary and not just because you missed a deadline.
- Monitoring and upkeep
Once you’ve settled into your new environment, your long-term success is ultimately determined by how well you implement proper maintenance and monitoring strategies to deal with any unexpected challenges. Regardless of how smooth the migration was, testing on multiple dimensions is required.
You’ll need to review updates and security patches on a regular basis as an organization, and you’ll need to provide application and software updates to incorporate the changes. Plus, rigorous performance monitoring, load testing, and application-level testing are crucial to ensure that everything is running smoothly. The process of planning, implementing, and completing a successful cloud migration takes time.
There are numerous moving parts and decision points that can divert your in-house IT from their day-to-day responsibilities. That is why, in most cases, organizations seek the assistance of an experienced third-party vendor to guide them through the migration process while also ensuring continuous maintenance and monitoring.