Are you thinking about migrating your existing IT infrastructure to cloud migration services? There are several advantages to doing so, ranging from enhanced security to simplifying your business. Moving to a cloud-based system not only permits you to store and back up your data off-site, but also allows you to be more efficient by giving you the flexibility to work from anywhere.
Furthermore, small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can enjoy enterprise-grade security, scalability, and continuity without large upfront expenditures or complex setups. Connectability ensures your infrastructure remains secure, up to date, and in tune with your company’s needs.
What does cloud migration involve?
Cloud migration moves part or all of an on-site IT infrastructure to a cloud-based service. It can include your company’s data, processes, applications, and more. The goal of migrating to a cloud-based system is to scale your company and reduce costs quickly.
Three Types of Migration
- Cloud migration involves a data transfer from on-site to a cloud infrastructure, with typical scenarios involving moving data from legacy structures to the cloud. Legacy infrastructure includes suboptimal or outdated components that failed to perform tasks effectively. These may consist of slow servers, obsolete databases, outdated networks, or applications that are no longer receiving security patches.
- Cloud migrations can also be accomplished by moving one cloud-based system to another. This is called cloud-to-cloud migration.
- The third type is reverse cloud migration. This system transfers data and applications from a cloud system to an on-site infrastructure. This method is also called unclouding, declouding, and cloud repatriation.
Why initiate cloud migration?
For SMBs, migrating to a cloud-based system makes sense. It simplifies scaling your business, improves company organization, and reduces IT costs. While the functional advantages are clear, cloud migration can enable your company to remain either on par with or exceed your competition. Cloud-based migrations have the potential to save businesses up to 20% on IT expenses.
Saving You Money
Companies can reclaim space and expenses by eliminating the hardware costs of hosting their own data. When expenses like maintenance, IT, cooling costs, etc., are factored into the equation, migrating to a cloud-based system seems like a logical progression.
How do our cloud-based solutions improve your operations?
Over the years, multiple cloud migration strategies have emerged, beginning with Gartner’s 5R model. These models employ various techniques to migrate your existing system into a cloud-based solution. Some SMBs may require a simple data movement, while others may be more complex.
- Rehosting: This step moves your entire infrastructure (as-is) to an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
- Replatform: Moving data from one location to upgrade platforms, aiming to enhance flexibility and scalability, allows you to modernize your existing platform.
- Refactor: Your system is fully rebuilt to leverage new technology. Despite being more complex and costly, it helps keep your platform at the cusp of technological advancements.
- Repurchase: Converting your internally managed system to a third-party managed service provider (MSP) reduces internal IT overhead expenses and redirects them.
- Relocate: This involves moving data from an on-site data centre to the cloud using the same platform. It is conducted with little to no downtime, making it a viable option for those requiring 24/7 access.
- Retire: Eliminating outdated applications from your system provides a first step before migrating your system to the cloud.
- Retain: This aspect keeps business-essential applications on your current framework while migrating everything else to a cloud-based system.
What SMBs Need to Know Before Initiating Cloud Migration
When considering which cloud migration strategy is right for you, your answer will depend on your current system and future objectives. This process will enable you to decide which approach is best for your company.
Knowledge of Your Current System
Understanding your current IT infrastructure is the first step. Focusing on what aspects can be eliminated and which must remain is essential. Do you have any outdated systems? Will you require extra precautions when migrating to a cloud-based system?
By conducting a complete system audit, you can obtain an in-depth understanding of how to progress.
Understanding Your Objectives
What do you want to achieve by migrating to the cloud? Do you want scalability, connectivity, or improved security? Your choices will depend on the current stage of your business and what you want to see for your future.
Creating a list of clear objectives will help us assist you in choosing the right migration strategy, making the process easier.
Private, public or hybrid?
Depending on the structure of your company, your needs may be different from those of other businesses. If you continually handle highly sensitive information, you may require a private cloud model for added security. However, if you don’t deal with sensitive data, a public model may adequately handle your needs.
For those desiring extra flexibility, we offer a hybrid model that may benefit your current infrastructure more.
Additional solutions can help keep sensitive data safe by offering zero-trust authentication for each user. We can provide unparalleled access control to users with robust multi-factor authentication. This ensures that your data is never compromised and falls into the wrong hands.
A 2020 study involving cloud microservices found:
- 88% of companies use the cloud to some extent. Most expect to increase usage within the year.
- 25% of companies seek to move all applications to the cloud.
- Public cloud services dominate among businesses, yet some companies have adopted a hybrid system. About 49% run applications on-site.
Creating an Action Plan
You want to avoid rushing a cloud-based system. Once the correct model is chosen and the migration is finished, ensure that everything is in proper working order before returning to your regular business routine. Creating action plans that allow for vigorous testing and system validation will ensure your migration goes flawlessly.
Back Up Your System
While everything should be operational, it is wise to create a backup to ensure your company remains safe. Develop a routine backup plan of all your data. This ensures that if there is ever an issue, you can stay safe knowing the data is salvageable and secure.
For added data safety, we offer many options for enhanced security and server backup while initiating data loss prevention to ensure your essential applications and files are never lost.
How Connectability Makes Your Transition Flawless
For a smooth cloud migration, our experts will help you determine what services will work best for your company. Most companies choose to do the migrations outside regular hours to avoid downtime. This method is less disruptive, and most companies receive lower internet traffic during this time.
However, if you are looking at a larger migration, phased approaches may be more beneficial. A phased conversion allows you to migrate your system one step at a time. Although it takes longer and can interrupt operations over an extended time frame, it provides an easier learning curve for your staff.
Immediate transitions enable your entire business to move to the cloud over a shorter duration. You will experience minimal productivity loss, but you may experience a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with cloud computing.
Should you move everything to the cloud? Cloud-based systems offer SMBs a great way to accomplish more with less. However, it isn’t for everyone. To determine if this option is right for you, call us at 647-560-5529, contact us online, or email us at [email protected] to see how we can help.
