The Ultimate 2024 Guide to Cloud Migration: Everything You Need to Know

Cloud is the new sugar rush in the market. And why not it be? According to a survey, 88% of companies are already using the cloud for either an application or data. Another set of 80% of respondents mentioned they are planning to move to the cloud with co-location services by 2025.

Amidst this increasing interest of businesses towards cloud migration, a lot still needs to be solved at the crossroads. The thought of migration brings a lot of questions. Is migrating to the cloud the right move? Which cloud should we move to? Where to begin from? What are the best foolproof cloud migration strategies?

But hold on, you might be thinking. Migration sounds complex and disruptive. What about data security, downtime, and choosing the right platform? These are valid concerns, and this guide is here to address them all.

Don’t get confused in the cloud computing revolution. Check this comprehensive cloud migration guide, which will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to navigate your cloud migration journey with confidence.

Buckle up, and let’s begin!

What is Cloud Migration?

It is the process of transferring data, applications, or entire IT infrastructures from an on-premises infrastructure to a cloud computing platform designed per your business requirements. It can encompass diverse elements like data, processes, applications, and more, with the primary objectives being optimized cost management and rapid scalability.

Companies have the option to transition to cloud computing solutions that consist of either a single cloud setup or a combination of multiple clouds. They can use a public cloud, which provides services over the general internet, or a private cloud, which is an exclusive, secure network designed just for their operations.

A popular strategy is the hybrid cloud approach, which merges the benefits of both public and private clouds. This blended infrastructure is often more economical and adaptable, enabling automatic management of computing tasks across different cloud platforms.

Types of Cloud Migration

You can migrate the cloud through different types, depending upon what you are migrating and where you are placing it:

1. Complete Data Center Migration

In this type, the wholesale transfer of entire data, applications, and services takes place from the on-premises data center of an organization to a cloud infrastructure developed by a cloud development partner. Due to its extensive nature, meticulous planning, testing, and efficient execution are crucial for success.

2. Hybrid Cloud Migration

This strategy is a powerful blend of both public cloud and on-premises infrastructure. Only a selective portion of resources are transferred to the public cloud, leaving the rest to the on-premises. This hybrid model allows organizations to leverage the existing investment of their on-premises infrastructure while maintaining the flexibility, scalability, and cost-friendliness of the public cloud.

Hybrid Cloud for Data Backup – Additionally, you can utilize hybrid cloud migration for data backup purposes. In such scenarios, a company replicates its private cloud resources to a public cloud, serving as a mitigation strategy against potential attacks or disasters that could hinder the on-premises data center.

3. Cloud-to-Cloud Migration

Businesses seeking cloud migration may choose to relocate resources from one public cloud provider to another for various reasons. This could be driven by:

• Cost-efficiency: Seeking optimal pricing models offered by different providers.
• Security: Gaining access to specific security features or enhanced security posture.
• Innovation: Utilizing new AI/machine learning tools or other advanced services offered by a different cloud provider.
• Company restructuring: Aligning cloud infrastructure with changes in organizational structure or service level agreements.

4. Workload-Specific Migration

This strategy involves the selective migration of specific workloads to the cloud, such as databases or mainframes. This approach allows organizations to capitalize on the cloud’s potential benefits for specific workloads, including reduced costs, enhanced performance, and improved security.

By understanding these various cloud migration types, organizations can make informed decisions about their unique needs and migration strategies.

Why Migrate to Cloud?

The wave of cloud computing has impacted businesses across the globe, and definitely for a good reason. Organizations are more active today in migrating their data and applications to the cloud, reverberating their IT dynamics and fostering a wealth of benefits. Here are the top reasons fueling the interest of businesses toward cloud migration:

1. Application modernization:

Legacy systems were on the most frequently used list because they have been proven to be the least resistant. Upgrading from a traditional comfort system to an expensive and combusting process of Cloud migration is only to some people’s liking. Modernizing applications often leads to significant improvements in application speed, performance, and security as they adapt to the cloud environment.

2. Optimal Cost utilization:

Earlier, companies used to invest a fortune in traditional servers and infrastructure, incurring heavy ongoing maintenance costs and depreciation expenses. Cloud competitive is, for sure, a significant competitive business, offering a pay-as-you-go model and the flexibility to switch providers for greater cost control, eliminating spending a fortune on unnecessary expenditures.

3. Empowering IT Teams:

On-premises systems often call for constant care and maintenance and can be improved through the expertise of IT resources. Calling them back and forth for repetitive tasks is going to put an additional load on your IT team, prohibiting them from performing more productive tasks. Cloud infrastructure lightens your load and passes it to the provider, allowing your IT team to focus on strategic initiatives and innovation.

4. Scaling with Agility and Speed:

In today’s digital world, businesses demand mostly online tools to run a smooth business, ensuring agility and responsiveness to customers. Cloud computing enables organizations to upsize or downsize resources in real-time to meet fluctuating demands. Public-facing websites can operate at peak performance regardless of traffic surges, ensuring a seamless customer experience.

5. Global Reach without Latency:

The geographic distance can create latency issues for customers accessing on-premises data centers. Cloud computing, with its global network of servers, ensures consistent performance regardless of location, minimizing latency and delivering a seamless experience for all users.

6. Faster Innovation Cycles:

It’s more like a nightmare in terms of the number of jobs and investment needed to launch a new service in an on-premises environment. It requires hardware investments and lengthy provisioning processes. Cloud platforms offer swift and cost-effective deployment, accelerating innovation and time-to-market for new products and services.

Through cloud migration, businesses are tapping into a world of possibilities in different areas and presenting an extended scope of agility and a new era of innovation.

Challenges Faced in Migrating Cloud & Tips to Prevent Them

Now that you have all the reasons to migrate to the cloud let’s face another reality check here. Challenges you might encounter while migrating to the cloud and how you can prevent them.

Well, migrating to a new, typical platform can be challenging, and many teams resist at first. Still, with an expert cloud expert, cloud migration will be an opportunity, not a setback, holding you back from benefitting from utilizing its full potential.

Following are some common challenges businesses face and some Q-tips for avoiding them:

1. Risk with Data security and compliance adherence

Shifting to the cloud might bring endless opportunities but also invites new challenges relating to data security and compliance. Risks like Misconfigured cloud storage can expose sensitive information to all users, while compromised credentials grant unauthorized access to malicious actors.

Compliance further complicates the picture. Every industry and region has unique data privacy and security regulations, and non-compliance with them can trigger legal repercussions. Another challenging task is the maintenance of audit logs and demonstrating compliance in the intricate world of cloud environments

Q-Tip: When selecting a cloud service provider (CSP), ensure they are hardcore committed to the security of your data. Opt for a company that offers inherent data security features and secure data migration pathways within their firewalls. Additionally, inquire about their security posture by requesting a comprehensive security and compliance risk assessment before migration.

Proactively engage with your chosen CSP. Regularly monitor their security practices, compliance certifications, and service agreements. Pay close attention to the frequency of security audits and data handling procedures. Mutually decide and establish strict data security policies, as well as user access controls to protect your information. You can also implement encryption measures for both data in your databank and in transit to ensure confidentiality.

2. Selecting The Wrong Cloud migration strategy

Cloud adoption promises a bright future, but executing this process without a well-defined strategy can lead to costly detours. Here are some common missteps:

1. Skipping the Fundamentals: Rushing into migration without a thorough assessment is like driving blindfolded. You still need to consider your existing infrastructure, security needs, or compliance requirements, potentially leading to compatibility issues and vulnerabilities in your new cloud environment. This can cost millions to rectify later.

2. Misaligned Strategy: Imagine building a house without a blueprint. Similarly, neglecting to align your migration strategy with your business goals can result in a cloud environment that doesn’t support your needs. It restricts you from innovating, minimizes agility, and slows down progress.

3. The Lift-and-Shift Trap: Try avoiding the allure of simple “lift and shift” to existing applications to the cloud. At times, this approach needs to be revised to activate cloud-native features like automation and scalability, resulting in inefficiency and missed opportunities. Modernize your applications to unlock the cloud’s potential truly.

Q-Tip: With all these roadblocks in mind, you want to devise a well-planned cloud migration strategy that liquidates all related approaches and facilitates migration smoothly.

A crucial step is a pre-migration analysis to identify opportunities for cloud-native modernization. By understanding your applications in-depth, you can then refactor or re-platform them to leverage cloud-native features like auto-scaling and serverless functions, ensuring a smooth and efficient migration journey.

3. Unavailability of In-house Migration Experts

Migrating to a new cloud environment isn’t only about technology; it’s also about expertise. A lot of businesses need to improve when it comes to having in-house expertise for cloud migration, creating a challenge as transmitting to new cloud environments requires specialized knowledge in various areas like architecture, security, and cost optimization.

The consequences of this gap can be costly. Delays, mistakes, and missed opportunities for optimization can arise due to improper configurations or insufficient understanding of cloud technologies. Additionally, relying solely on external consultants leaves your organization without the internal knowledge base needed for future cloud management and maintenance.

Q-Tip: If you’re ready to invest in upskilling your in-house team through training programs and guided certifications, it has the potential to cultivate valuable in-house expertise. Alternatively, hiring cloud specialists or teaming up with a managed service provider can offer expert assistance and ongoing support. The key is to pinpoint your specific needs and initiate planning at an early stage.

Also, read our Blog on How A Cloud Consultant Can Improve your IT Operations.

4. Unplanned and Uncertain Cost in the Process

Migrating to the cloud promises cost savings and efficiency, but the journey itself can be shrouded in uncertainty when it comes to finances. Apart from the preferred infrastructure and platform costs, unforeseen expenses such as data migration, application refactoring, training, and security considerations can arise.

With a comprehensive cost estimation and a breakdown of the budget, unexpected costs can maintain your financial plan and avoid delays in the project.

Possible consequences: The lack of transparent pricing models from cloud providers and hidden fees complicates the accurate prediction of the total cost of ownership. Surpassing the budget can strain resources, impede other projects, and create financial stress. The ambiguity may induce analysis paralysis, postponing the migration and hindering potential benefits. The fear of exceeding the budget might also result in overlooking valuable cloud features and optimization strategies.

Q-Tip: To overcome this uncertainty, ask your cloud service provider to perform a comprehensive cost analysis, including hidden migration costs, within the budget. Clearly communicate and discuss pricing models and fees with cloud providers, ensuring the involvement of financial stakeholders in the planning process.

Further, you can divide the migration into manageable phases with well-defined budgets and closely monitor progress at specific intervals. Incorporate a buffer in your budget to accommodate unforeseen expenses and changes in scope.

Overall, the following are the anticipated cloud migration costs:

Cloud Migration: Step-by-step process

Cloud migration can completely redefine your IT infrastructure, but it will call for a well-defined approach. Here is the process that one needs to follow for a successful migration to the cloud:

1. Assessment & Planning

This phase involves closely examining your current infrastructure, applications, and their dependencies. Understanding what you have is crucial for smooth migration. Clearly identify the reasons behind your move to the cloud.

Are you seeking cost savings, improved performance, or access to unique features? Defining your “why” helps guide your decision-making. Set realistic goals and timelines for your migration. This helps keep the project on track and ensures everyone is aligned on expectations. Assess different cloud platforms, evaluating their compatibility with your infrastructure and needs. Choosing the right platform is vital for success.

2. Data Migration

In the second stage, your most valuable asset gets the limelight, i.e. data. Transferring data from the source environment to the chosen cloud platform takes place. Select the data migration method that best suits your needs from the following:

• Online Migration: Offers continuous, real-time replication of data between environments.
• Offline Migration: Involves a bulk transfer of data using physical storage devices like hard drives. The choice depends on factors like data volume, transfer costs, bandwidth limitations, and ensuring data consistency during the transfer.

Consider online migration for continuous data flow or offline migration for large data volumes using physical devices. Be mindful of data transfer costs, bandwidth limitations, and the need to maintain data consistency throughout the process.

3. Application Migration

Depending on the target cloud environment, you may choose to “lift and shift” applications (re-host them directly), re-platform them to leverage cloud-native features, or even re-factor them for optimal performance.

Ensure your applications are compatible with the target cloud’s services and APIs. Addressing any compatibility issues is crucial for smooth operation. Update configurations, dependencies, and environment variables to ensure seamless application functionality in the new environment. Thoroughly test applications after migration to verify they work as expected and deliver optimal performance.

4. Networking & Connectivity

Replicate your existing network configurations within the target cloud environment. This ensures consistent network behaviour and connectivity.

Establish secure connections between your on-premises infrastructure (if applicable) and the new cloud environment. Options like VPNs, Direct Connect, or other networking solutions can be used for secure connectivity. Update DNS records and manage IP address allocations to ensure smooth communication within the new network structure.

5. Security & Compliance

Security and compliance are high-priority requirements when performing cloud migration. At this stage, all the security measures for the new environment are reviewed and updated.

You can ask the expert to implement strict identity and access management (IAM) policies to manage user access and have it all under your control. This promises adherence to mandatory compliance with relevant regulations. Data encryption during transit and at rest is also crucial for maintaining data security.

6. Testing & Validation

Conduct rigorous testing throughout the entire migration process to identify and address any potential issues. Perform functional testing to verify that applications function as expected in the new environment. Conduct performance and scalability testing to ensure the cloud infrastructure can handle your workloads efficiently. Consider including disaster recovery and failover testing to ensure your cloud environment can be restored quickly in case of outages.

7. Monitoring & Optimization

Set up monitoring tools to track key metrics like performance, availability, and costs associated with your cloud infrastructure. Analyze monitoring data to identify opportunities for resource optimization and cost reduction. Continuously review and refine your cloud infrastructure configurations based on usage patterns and performance insights.

8. Training & Documentation

Equip your IT team and end-users with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the new cloud environment effectively. Knowledge is Power. Document the entire migration process, including detailed configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting steps for future reference and knowledge sharing.

9. Post-Migration Support

Even after migrating, dedicated support is essential. Be prepared to address any post-migration issues, monitor for unexpected behaviour or performance problems, and manage any existing functionality or performance gaps compared to the previous environment.

10. Feedback & Iteration

It is one of the most required steps that you need to take care of. Collecting valuable feedback from the end-users and stakeholders about their experience with the new cloud platform is necessary. Feedback is the guide pointer that pushes you towards improvements and allows you to refine the migration process to avoid pitfalls in the future.

These are just the standard steps used by experts to migrate to the cloud. You can engage a seasoned Cloud migration expert to ensure a successful cloud transition journey.

Cloud Migration – Real World Business Cases

Here is the story of Capital One and Netflix succeeding with Cloud Migration:

1. Capital One’s Hybrid Cloud Strategy:

What a big bank looks like: employees juggling millions of bank accounts across the US, ensuring everything stays secure and compliant. That’s the challenge Capital One faced with their hybrid cloud setup spanning multiple providers like AWS and Azure. They wanted to move their critical applications to the cloud for better performance and flexibility while keeping sensitive data on-premises.

And guess what? They did it! In September 2023, they successfully migrated their core banking platform to the cloud, making it faster, more reliable, and easier to manage. This brings nothing but happier customers and more efficient banking operations.

2. Netflix’s Continued Cloud Expansion:

Speaking of entertainment, who doesn’t love Netflix? The streaming giant has been a cloud champion for years, moving most of its infrastructure to AWS a decade ago. But they’re not stopping there! They’re constantly exploring new ways to leverage cloud technologies, like using serverless functions for lightning-fast processing.

However, with 260 million subscribers worldwide, ensuring smooth content delivery and high availability is a challenging feat, especially on a complex cloud setup. To tackle this, Netflix migrated its content delivery network (CDN) to the Google Cloud Platform, witnessing even better performance and cost savings.

Final Take

Migrating to the cloud isn’t just about technology trends; it’s about becoming a growth engine for your business. By moving your infrastructure and applications to the cloud, you can enjoy benefits like cost savings, increased agility, improved collaboration among teams, more significant competitive advantage, and so on.

Don’t just take our word for it. Companies like Netflix, Dropbox, and Airbnb have achieved remarkable success by leveraging the cloud. Let’s say your people could be more techy, and you aren’t willing to spend hours working on shifting the bulk of data on your own. Well, what did Capital One, Netflix, and Unilever do? They hired help from a Cloud consulting partner to take care of their cloud migration.

If they can get help, then you can too. Cyntexa’s cloud consulting experts are here to guide you through every step, from strategy to execution, ensuring a smooth, secure, and ROI-driven cloud migration. Let’s connect over a consultation call and help you build a next-gen digital experience.