Tips for cloud migration

Transitioning to the cloud

Companies are increasingly moving to the cloud as a way to run day-to-day business operations. Migrating to the cloud is easier said than done, however. A host of unexpected problems can occur without the proper foresight, costing companies both time and money. Fortunately, there are steps enterprises can take to make the road not yet traveled less daunting.

Plan ahead

Cloud migration contains its fair share of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, it is important to plan ahead in an effort to curtail unexpected hiccups. This can be achieved by noting what is in a company’s environment, which applications will be migrated first, how those applications will be moved and which applications will be replaced. Other considerations include planning for known and unknown expenses as well as the impact the migration will have on typical business operations.

Choose a cloud vendor

There are a range of variables companies ought to consider when choosing a cloud vendor. These include ensuring a vendor’s goals align with company goals, reviewing a provider’s information security operations, and noting where the cloud company’s data centers are based. Among the most popular vendors in the cloud market today include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Google, IBM and Alibaba.

Train staff

Cloud migration is difficult, so it is beneficial to train staff in advance to help deal with the challenges that inevitably occur. Without having some background cloud knowledge, the migration process can take longer than intended and create extra challenges. Companies should gauge their staff’s understanding of the cloud and provide additional training about the technology where needed. Training can help workers not just better grasp the cloud, but learn how to benefit from it.

Test everything

Testing is equally important in the cloud migration process. Among some of the tests that ought to be conducted include performance tests, compatibility tests, stress and load tests, and vulnerability tests. These sorts of tests can help ensure everything runs smoothly and that sensitive data is completely protected.

Reduce downtime

Downtime is a major problem that accompanies cloud migration, which brings typical business operations to a grinding halt. There are ways to reduce downtime, however. One way is to break down the cloud migration process into digestible stages. This is another reason why it is important to sketch a plan before making the transition. Automating processes and collaborating with specialist providers can cut back downtime as well. Having a provider with multiple availability zones can help minimize the threat of downtime too.