Benefits of Cloud Computing Migration

Did you know that:

                     
• worldwide public cloud end-user spending is forecasted to reach nearly $600 billion this year up from $491 billion in 2022,
                     
• by 2026, 75% of organizations will adopt a digital transformation model predicated on the Cloud as the fundamental underlying platform,
                     
• by 2027, over half of the businesses will use cloud platforms to accelerate their business initiatives.
                   

The above numbers speak for themselves – the Cloud can have a massive impact on meeting changing consumer and market demands. If you’re wondering whether you should invest in the Cloud, here are the most important benefits:

                     
• Scalability. You can adjust the level of assets you need for the traffic you are exposed to. You have a better ability to scale up or down based on your requirements and business plan. The Cloud gives you the power to control your resources – your business can grow and expand painlessly while working within the existing infrastructure.
                     
• Security. Cloud providers usually have access to more breach-resistant security solutions. Also, in most cases, the responsibility for maintenance security is usually divided between the customer and the Cloud provider. When done right, the cloud is more secure than traditional network systems.
                     
• Lower costs. You can adjust infrastructure and costs to your current needs. Switching to the Cloud means you only pay for what you use. You don’t have to maintain a costly data center.
                     
• Reliability. Clouds are designed in such a way that they are always accessible and ready to work. The client doesn’t rely on one server or data center only and you can count on an incredibly high SLA. 
                     
• Mobility and collaboration. The Cloud enables you to work on the move, no matter where you are. At the same time, it’s easy to collaborate with others.
                   

Choosing the Right Cloud Model for the Cloud Migration Process

Currently, three main cloud deployment models are offered by cloud providers.

Public cloud

It’s cloud computing that is delivered via the Internet and shared across companies. It’s the traditional model where companies pay for the space on servers in the cloud provider’s data center. The cloud resources (hardware, software, and other supported infrastructure) are owned and operated by a service provider. The main benefits of this model are lower costs and no maintenance to take care of by a customer.

Private cloud

A private cloud is cloud computing that is dedicated solely to one organization. Depending on the customer’s needs, the Cloud provider may put the dedicated hardware in the company’s own data center while retaining responsibility for its management. A private cloud makes it easier for a client to customize their resources to meet specific IT requirements. It’s often chosen by governments, financial institutions, and businesses that need enhanced control over their environment.

Hybrid cloud

A hybrid cloud is an environment that uses both public and private clouds. A company moves some data and applications into a cloud provider’s data center and keeps some in its own data center. Such a model may be chosen because of company policies or data residency regulations.

Cloud Providers & Platforms Selection – What to Keep in Mind while Planning the Migration?

Cloud migration means transferring data, services, and applications to a cloud provider’s data center. The entire process should be based on a detailed plan for backing up data, ensuring data security, and understanding network connections. A very important thing is to find the right provider of cloud solutions. While assessing prospective providers, you should include hard and soft factors – make sure you validate both certificates and standards they adhere to, as well as what their customers say about them e.g., in case studies. Take time to establish contractual terms of collaboration and workable SLAs.

Cloud Migration Process – Step-by-Step Guide

Businesses move to the Cloud for different reasons and at different scales. At STX Next, we have experience with both small testing platforms and large-scale migrations. Each client is different, however, the process of migration to the Cloud usually looks similar and requires similar steps. In most cases, there are four phases your cloud migration should include.

Step 1: Setting objectives and priorities of migration in cloud computing

First, you should define your cloud migration strategy and build your business case. The migration process needs to be rooted in business outcomes – the goals you want to achieve. An analysis of the existing system landscape and infrastructure is also crucial at this step. Prepare a list of applications and resources you are currently using and think of benefits you expect from cloud migration. Then, it’s much easier to formulate key performance indicators of how the infrastructure is performing regarding your overall purpose.

Step 2: Creating a schedule and budget for a cloud migration strategy

Decide what to move, where to move it, and when to move it. Together with your cloud services partner, you should decide on the deployment model and the migration project’s intricacies. The model you choose determines who owns and manages the infrastructure and outlines the workload you plan to place upon it. Then, you should plan the migration project in detail, providing deadlines for each step and calculating the total budget for the process.

Step 3: Migration and testing of a cloud environment

Here is what the heavy lifting occurs – cloud migration. This step usually includes modernizing existing apps for the Cloud, developing new applications, as well as transforming the infrastructure and architecture with cloud migration tools. 

Step 4: Optimization after the Cloud service migration process

After the migration, it is important to understand what configurations and updates your responsibilities are and what the service provider’s responsibilities are. Your ongoing success is determined by the degree to which the proper maintenance and monitoring strategies are provided. Consistent performance monitoring is crucial to ensure you make the most out of the cloud environment.

How to Estimate the Cloud Migration Costs?

Several factors are in play that can affect the total cost of moving to the Cloud. There are variations and add-ons that can make the purchase more expensive. The cloud migration cost usually includes:

                     
1. Cloud infrastructure cost – depends on the network, storage, and database capacity you will need in the cloud. Here, the cost of the cloud provider also counts in 
                     
2. Migration cost – determined by which strategy you choose – rehost, refactor, re-platform, or repurchase.
                     
3. Post-migration cost – the cost of maintaining and improving your cloud environment.
                   

How Can Cloud Computing Solutions Help You Lower Business Costs?

First, moving to the Cloud is cost-effective because you instantly eliminate costs usually directed at purchasing hardware and software. Same with setup and maintenance – you can reduce your overall IT costs. While using the Cloud, you only pay for resources you really use and you can easily scale up or down, depending on your needs. This saves on capital costs and helps you save money on energy since most cloud providers are environmentally friendly.

Ready to move to the Cloud? Cloud migration is no longer a cutting-edge strategy and we’ll be happy to help you unlock its potential. Contact us.