Cloud Migration Considerations & Challenges – 6 Important Things to Think About Before Migrating to the Cloud
Cloud computing has become extremely popular over the last few years for businesses of all sizes. Companies in a variety of industries – both public and private – are utilising cloud-based solutions in their infrastructure and are benefiting from reduced IT expenditure, business continuity and streamlined processes, to name just a few benefits.
Here at CAB IT Services, we help businesses ensure their IT systems are effective, reliable and secure, tailoring all services to meet their specific and individual requirements. If your business is thinking about migrating to the cloud, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide we explain exactly what is meant by the cloud, the advantages it provides as well as some of the challenges you may face during the migration process.
What is Cloud Computing?
The ‘cloud’ stands for cloud computing and put simply, refers to computing based on the internet.
Previously, businesses would have to invest in expensive IT equipment, infrastructure and hard drives to store their data and run applications, but with the cloud, this is all stored on a server in a dedicated data centre which can be accessed over the internet.
All data stored on the cloud can be accessed globally and by more than one computer; all that is needed is an internet connection.
Benefits of the Cloud
Using the cloud can offer an array of benefits to your business. Here are some of the main ones –
Security
The cloud is incredibly secure as all data transmitted over networks and stored in databases is encrypted, making it less accessible to hackers and anyone else without authorisation. In addition, even if your computer gets stolen or damaged, data can still be accessed because it is stored in the cloud.
Reduced IT Costs
With cloud computing you can reduce the cost of managing and maintaining your IT systems. You don’t need to pay for any expensive equipment as you can use the resources of your cloud computing provider. The cost of system upgrades and new hardware/software may even be included in your contract too.
Collaboration & Access
Cloud computing gives your business the ability to share files regardless of where colleagues/contractors are in the world. Being able to quickly and easily access documents is perfect for those who commute or work from home.
Flexible & Scalable
Cloud computing is flexible so can be easily modified as and when your needs change. As your business scales up or down, for instance, your storage solution can be changed to suit your needs.
Business Continuity
Storing your data in the cloud ensures it is backed up and protected in a safe and secure location. Many processes on the cloud, such as backups, monitoring and issue detection, are performed automatically. Should you experience a power cut or a natural disaster, you’ll still be able to access your data quickly and minimise downtime/productivity.
What is Cloud Migration?
Cloud migration primarily refers to the process of moving your data and files from your computer/local data centre at your premises to the cloud. However, it can also mean moving data from one cloud to another or removing data from the cloud and putting it on a local data centre.
Cloud Migration Challenges & Considerations
Migrating your data to the cloud requires careful planning and consideration. Failure to prepare for the challenges it presents can be costly and disastrous for your business and your data. Here are some of our top considerations –
Create a Migration Strategy
Creating a migration strategy is absolutely essential. You need to factor in things like projected downtime, employee training and an estimated completion time so that you don’t encounter any unexpected issues or long periods of downtime.
Consider the Financial Cost
Whilst the cloud is cost-effective in the long term, the actual process of migrating can be expensive; especially if you have a lot of data to migrate. You shouldn’t just take into consideration the cost of using the cloud solutions, you also need to think about the cost of training employees on the new technology and the cost of rewriting/replacing data to make sure it is compatible with the cloud.
Choose the Right Cloud-Based Service
It is important that you choose the right cloud-based service. Every business will have its own set of goals and objectives so it’s critical that you choose a service that has the capabilities to meet your needs. Some services offer enormous instant scalability whereas others offer personalised applications management, so be sure to research and find the right one for your business.
Security of Your Data is Crucial
When you’re using the cloud, you are trusting another party to hold onto and look after your data for you. You need to make sure the party you are using is trustworthy so that you can rest assured your data is kept safe. Ensure you know where your data is stored, how it is encrypted and what regulations the party complies with.
Utilise an IT Expert
Unless you have a specialist IT team, it’s recommended that you consult a professional IT company to help manage your migration. They have extensive knowledge, skillset and experience in managing cloud migration projects from start to finish so can help you to ensure everything is taken care of and runs smoothly.
Test Your New Infrastructure
Once the migration is complete, it’s vital that you test the system to ensure it is working correctly. Validate the migration was successful by testing application capabilities, performance, access, permissions and so on.
Best Cloud Migration Strategy
Cloud migration strategies are not one size fits all as every business is different and has different objectives. What works for one company may not necessarily work for another, so it’s important you get bespoke advice.
If you’re looking to migrate to the cloud, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team here at CAB IT Services. We’ll take into consideration the size of your business, the amount of data you have, the specific goals you want to achieve as well as other information and provide you with a comprehensive cloud migration strategy. We are passionate about delivering the best value for all our clients so be sure to contact us before you start your migration.
We have years of experience in managing cloud migrations and work with companies of all sizes, from single user businesses through to multi-site organisations.
Contact CAB IT Services today >
See more: Top 5 Tips for Creating an IT Disaster Recovery Plan
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