OVHcloud data center, a French pioneer in cloud computing, in Beauharnois, on the outskirts of Montreal. – © AFP/File SPENCER PLATT
Since the introduction of cloud computing, a large number of companies rely more and more on it. Cloud adoption has several benefits: it can be used to make information more accessible, improve staff collaboration, and most importantly, eliminate the need for hardware to securely store data.
Unfortunately, migrating to the cloud is not always easy for aspiring companies. The procedure will not only require a great deal of time and money, but may also lead to problems with software currently in common use. However, there are some key steps that companies can consider to make the process cloud migration flawless and successful.
Determine what can be migrated
Companies should not assume that they must migrate everything at once. Although an IT administrator may be forced to migrate the entire infrastructure for compliance reasons or to replace aging servers, it’s often better to break things down into smaller pieces.
In these circumstances it is useful to ask: ‘Do you have any systems that can work independently of each other and move without affecting other components?‘
If possible, consider migrating accounting program, ERP (enterprise resource planning tool) or phone systems to the cloud. This could reduce the number of issues and make the change gradual and easier to manage.
Choose what to rebuild and relocate
The “lift-and-shift” concept allows relatively simple migration of certain tasks to the cloud. Many servers and applications, for example, can be ported in their current state, usually with just a little support from the provider.
However, if a program hasn’t been updated for a while, it’s generally a good idea to start from scratch and create a new version using cloud computing. IT administrators can switch to the new version of the application when it has been thoroughly tested in the cloud, where it can also be tested securely.
Identify key stakeholders
IT leaders must determine the key players that will be involved in or affected by each stage of their cloud migration. This can be achieved by considering who will participate. You don’t want to exclude someone who is necessary.
When planning a move to the cloud, the most important people can be categorized into three groups: internal, external, and indirect stakeholders.
Employ a systematic action plan.
The process opens up a number of potentially problematic scenarios and outcomes. As a result, there is a risk of significant disruption if IT administrators do not properly manage their cloud migration.
When migrating to the cloud, using a methodical approach can help reduce the likelihood of avoidable disruptions throughout the process. However, IT managers shouldn’t assume they can just grab a standard model off the shelf and go from there.
The cloud migration strategy should consider the specific needs of the business, as well as ensure that all parties involved understand the scope of the process.
A useful question to ask is: ‘What types of applications will be migrated and what types of infrastructure will be used?A full understanding of this can make the transition much smoother than it otherwise would have been.
Make a schedule and stick to it
It is not unusual for technology projects to be delayed. To put it another way, they tend to absorb more of your money, resources, and time than was initially projected. As a result, IT administrators must take precautionary measures to reduce the possibility of failure. It is easier to keep the process on track when there is an accurate migration schedule.
When creating a migration timeline, it is necessary to take into account the most important objectives. As a result, IT administrators must plan the sequence in which they will migrate the various components.
As a result of the implementation of this measure, the migration operation will be less risky.
