Common Cloud Migration Questions Answered

Moving your files, apps, and tech to the cloud rather than keeping them on local servers is what cloud migration is about. It helps cut costs, boosts security, and makes your business more able to change. Here’s a simple rundown:

• Why shift to the cloud?

  • 61% of firms cut costs.
  • 87% of big businesses use more than one cloud setup.
  • Better security and more room to grow.
  • Use high-tech tools like AI with no big upfront cost.

• What to sort out before moving?

  • Check your IT stuff: Look at what you have, your team’s skills, and how your systems will work in the cloud.
  • Make goals: Set clear wins like saving money, keeping systems up, and making users happy.
  • Stick to UK laws: Be sure you follow GDPR and know where your data is.

• Keep things running while moving:

  • Use steps like blue-green methods or moving in phases to keep systems on.
  • Save your data and test how to go back if needed.

• Keeping costs in check:

  • Use tools like AWS Cost Explorer or Azure Cost Management to watch your spending.
  • Weigh costs of on-site vs cloud (cloud usually cuts total costs by 20% in three years).
  • Use FinOps ways to spend better.

• Keeping things safe:

  • Stick to NCSC advice.
  • Code your data and handle sign-ins well.
  • Always keep an eye on your systems and update them often.

• Sorting out old tech:

  • You can rehost (fast), replatform (small tweaks), or refactor (big redo).
  • Use tools like Docker or Kubernetes for better fit.

• After moving:

  • Watch how things are doing with tools like Datadog or Amazon CloudWatch.
  • Keep making things better to save money and work better.

Fast Look: Ways to Move

Moving to the cloud can cut tech costs by up to 40% and boost work speed. But it needs good plans, cost checks, and following rules. Start with little steps, watch how it goes, and keep getting better after the switch.

Ultimate Guide to Cloud Migration for Businesses

What to Think About Before Moving to the Cloud

Getting cloud moving right starts with good prep. Before you move data or apps, good planning can cut costs and avoid issues later. For UK firms, this means looking at three main parts: checking what you have, setting clear goals, and making sure you follow rules. These steps help make a move safe and cost-friendly, and they meet UK-only rules.

How to Check Your Setup and Jobs

First, do a cloud readiness check. This means looking closely at your IT stuff, apps, steps, and if your group is ready [1].

Start by listing all your IT stuff. Look at each job to see if it fits the cloud, noting things like needs, how well it works, and safety needs. Don't miss rule needs - big for UK firms dealing with touchy data under GDPR and local safety laws.

Think about how touchy your data is and the privacy rules that apply. For example, if you deal with personal data, you need to make sure to encrypt it and control who can see it. Rules special to your field may also matter, so knowing these from the start is key.

Think about how your jobs work now, when they get busy, and how growth could change your needs. The cloud can deal with more users better, but only if you plan for it.

Lastly, look at your team’s skills and steps. Does your staff know how to handle cloud tasks? If not, you might need training or outside help. Also, make sure your work culture is ready for the change - this can decide if your cloud move works or not.

How to Set Work Goals and Success Ways

Setting clear goals is key to see if your cloud move worked. Your moving plan should link to big work aims, like cutting costs, growing faster, or making systems work better.

For example, firms going to the cloud should see up to 30% less running costs by 2025 [2]. Smart use of cloud tools can also cut IT costs by 20% [2]. To track this, start with base numbers and set real post-move targets.

Watching KPIs (key performance marks) matters too. Marks like system up time, app speed, user happiness, and cost cuts give you a clear view of your move's success. Studies show that watching these KPIs can bring higher ROI - 70% of firms see better returns - and firms that focus on user experience often see up to 40% less drop in users [2].

UK Rule Needs You Must Know

For UK firms, hitting tough rule rules is a must. Your move plan must fit UK-only legal, safety, and rule needs [6]. Under GDPR and the UK Data Safety Act 2018, personal data must be kept safe with encryption, strict who-can-see rules, and fast alert plans [6].

Where your data sits is key too. You must know where your data will rest in the cloud, as some data types might need to stay within the UK or EU areas.

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) gives tips to help groups stay safe and follow rules [6]. Their cloud safety ideas can aid you in checking if a service fits your safety needs [4]. Also, make sure your cloud service has papers like ISO 27001, SOC 2, or PCI DSS.

Mayur Upadhyaya, head of APIContext, points out how key strong safety plans are:

Expanding on security architecture best practices would be beneficial. This could include guidance on network segmentation strategies tailored for SCADA systems, along with robust identity and access management (IAM) protocols specifically designed for these critical control environments [7].

Before you start moving your data, make sure you check all rules well. Sort your data by what the law needs and be sure that your plan to move it fits these rules. Keep a close eye on it - use tools that run by themselves and do checks often to keep in line with the rules, both while moving and after [5].

How to Cut Down on Offline Time When Moving

It is key to keep your business up when moving to the cloud. With good plan and the right steps, you can big cut the pause to both buyers and money flow. These steps fit with the wider move plan we talked about before, helping UK firms keep up their services while they shift.

Using Blue-Green and Stepwise Move Ways

Blue-green setup is a plan where two same setups - blue (live) and green (new) - run at the same time. The blue one keeps working for users while the green one gets set up and checked. Once it's good, the swap to the green setup takes little time.

Dominic Gonsalves from Bitwise shows the upside of this way:

Using this strategy, we can achieve zero downtime during deployment and have minimal impact on consumers or end users [8].

This way lets you go back fast. If the new setup breaks, you can just turn back to the old one fast, which is good for services seen by users where even short breaks can cause big losses.

Phased migration moves things bit by bit. Less key parts, like worker tools or test areas, go first. Once those are fine, you move to key business systems. This slow way cuts mess-ups and lets you fix problems before they hit key work. Now, 80% of groups use DevOps, making the two-step setup more liked.

Here's a quick look at both ways:

Making Backup and Rollback Plans

It's key to have a strong backup plan to keep small problems from turning into big troubles. Before you begin the move, make sure to save all key data, such as databases, setup files, user options, and system needs.

Mayuresh Belvalkar of Genesys International points out how key it is to prepare:

Your rollback strategy should encompass a carefully constructed, written, and tested plan that outlines all the steps you need to perform to revert production to a stable state. It should also define the part each team member plays in the process [11].

Try out your backups by fully restoring them in a new place to make sure the data is all right. Set clear signs for when to go back, like certain error levels or trouble with how things work, so you don't rush when stressed.

Keep your backup copies away from your main systems. You could use far-off or cloud spots in other areas, to keep data safe even if your main systems have issues. Check that your backup tools save every important file, such as setup details, for a full restore if needed.

Write down every part of the go-back steps, including commands, who decides, and how to talk. Often do this with your team so everyone knows what to do if you need to go back.

UK Uptime Rules

In the UK, some jobs must stick to tight uptime rules.

Plan moves when it's not busy [10]. For most UK places, night time or weekends are good. But, check when your systems are most used - some might be busy during normal work hours. Moving stuff like user details, old data, and setup early can shorten the last move time to just the final data sync and traffic change.

In the last move stage, set your source systems to just read mode. This stops new data changes, which could make downtime longer or add to the move tasks [9].

Service deals (SLAs) are key too. For example, a 99.9% uptime promise means about 8 hours off per year, which calls for careful planning and checking. Set alerts for how things are running like response times and error rates, as well as what users say, to spot and fix issues fast - or to go back if needed.

For tough moves, doing a trial with a few users first can be a big help. This real test can find problems you might not see in practice runs, helping you to tweak your plan before the full move.

Managing Money in and After Moving to Cloud

Moving to the cloud can turn into a money issue if you don't look after costs well. A lot of groups use more money than planned because they didn't plan or watch costs right. To dodge this, it's key to use good tools and steps for each part of the move - before, during, and after. This method not only keeps costs under control but also builds a spot for good money managing for years to come.

Using Tools for Costs and Budget

Cost tools show what you might pay, helping you get ready for what will come. They share info on cloud costs, help teams work together, and keep your spend lined up with your goals. These tools come in all sorts like built-in, other brand, and free-to-use options.

For example, AWS Cost Explorer has live boards to spot odd spend trends. It's free, yet extra cool things might ask for a small fee. In the same way, AWS Budgets is free at first, but if you want more, it might cost about £0.08 daily after two days. On the Azure part, Microsoft Cost Management is out there at no extra cost for its users. For more tough needs, third-party tools like Chaos Genius begin at about £39 every month for Snowflake links.

When picking a cost tool, eye for things like real-time boards, clear cost splits, odd spend alerts, and tips for using resources well. Set budgets early and watch how you use resources to keep your money in check.

Weighing Costs: On-Site vs Cloud

After you've looked at costs, the next thing is to check the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). TCO is all real and hidden costs that come with a system through its life, like buying, care, and running costs. A full look should add costs that keep coming, like system fixes and care, usually over a 7- to 10-year span.

Begin with what you pay now for your system. Include it all - from gear and program fees to upkeep, disaster plans, and even costs you don't always see like downtime. For instance, Gartner says managing programs yearly could cost up to four times their first price.

Moving to the cloud can cut down on the costs of early hardware and setup needs. Yet, the monthly fees tied to service types and how much you use them can grow over time. It's often told to work out the total cost of ownership (TCO) across three to five years, as gear tends to last about five years. In a lot of cases, going to the cloud can reduce TCO by about 20% over three years.

Apart from the money saved, cloud services bring other pluses like more freedom, better fresh ideas, and less risk in staying by the rules. This makes the cloud cheaper for small and mid size firms.

Putting FinOps into Play After Moving

To keep saving money after the move, using FinOps methods is key. FinOps helps teams work together and keep a strong watch on spending to make the most of cloud money. Firms that use these ways can cut cloud costs by 20–30%.

A good move is to use resource tagging, which lets you keep track of costs by team, project, or area. Check and tweak resources to fit real use - for use cases like fixing EC2 sizes or setting schedules for less critical jobs like developing and QA. Cutting out things you don't use, like idle EC2s or extra EBS volumes, can also save money.

For steady jobs, think about Reserved Instances or Savings Plans, which can slash prices by up to 75% and 72%, in contrast with base rates. Moving from GP2 to GP3 EBS can cut storage costs by up to 20%. For changing work needs, AWS Spot Instances might drop prices by up to 90%.

Don't miss software license costs, which might make up about 25% of your total cloud spend. Set limits and warnings to keep from going over budget.

To save even more, look into containers and spot instances. Set up EKS, AKS, or GKE with autoscaling to run jobs well. Use auto processes to fully use cost-cutting compute methods, making sure you're always at best output.

Keeping Data Safe and Following Rules

When you move to the cloud, keeping data safe is as key as watching costs and cutting downtime. It's critical to guard private info while moving it. With data thefts in the USA nearly three times higher from 2020 to 2023, UK groups must focus on keeping data safe while they stick to laws like GDPR. This need for balance is vital during every step of your move to the cloud.

Using NCSC Cloud Safety Rules

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) lists 14 Cloud Safety Rules to pick safe cloud services and make sure they are secure [12]. These rules talk about key points like keeping data safe while moving it, safe-guarding tools, keeping data apart, looking out for weak spots, and watching for problems all the time.

Put a top boss, like a CIO or CSO, in charge of cloud safety. Build a full plan covering all parts of info safety [13]. When picking cloud services, ask for proof, paperwork, and facts to see if they meet these rules. Also, take care of data location and GDPR rules in your safety plan.

Managing Data Place and GDPR Rules

For companies in the UK and Europe, following GDPR rules is a must when moving to the cloud. The law needs data to stay in the UK or EU [14]. Start by checking your data to see what needs to be moved [16]. This check helps keep you in line with the law and also ensures you only move data that's needed, getting rid of old or useless info [15].

While moving, use strong codes to keep data safe both while moving and when stored. Use strong log-in checks and make sure only allowed people can get to sensitive info [15]. Run a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for systems that handle personal data to spot risks and set up the right safety steps [15].

For instance, Netflix moved its systems to AWS while meeting GDPR rules by using strong data safety tools. Like Netflix, Spotify moved to Google Cloud and added privacy tools to its setup [15]. After moving, keep an eye on your cloud space to quickly deal with any rules issues [15].

Using Safe Setup and Safety Tools

A secure cloud move needs strong technical safety steps. Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM) tools let you see and control who can get to what, keeping user roles tight to lower risks. Check who can get to what often to spot and fix any odd access [17][18].

APIs, a common target during moves, need strong safety steps. Keep API spots safe by using strong access rules and keep an eye on traffic for odd activity [17]. It's also vital to know the shared responsibility idea: while cloud services handle some safety, your group must set up systems right. Mistakes in setup lead to 23% of safety problems, showing why clear role setting is important [17].

Use tools like SIEM and CSPM for full and always-on check-ups [17][18]. Often fix your OS, apps, and firmware. Also, use the safety bits that come with your cloud, like fire walls and safety groups, to make your wall stronger [18].

Not keeping data safe can lead to big bad results. In 2021, the data keepers in Luxembourg made Amazon pay $887 million for breaking privacy rules [18]. Also, Gartner thinks that by 2025, 75% of company data will be made and dealt with outside old data places. This makes having good cloud safety even more key [15]. By mixing these safety steps with your shift plan, you can move to the cloud well and safely.

How to Get Old Systems Ready for Cloud Move

Moving old systems to the cloud is a big job - it needs careful plans and a good grasp of the tough parts. These systems often use old code, gear, and data storage, which can cut how well they work in a cloud set-up. With 88% of firms still dealing with old tech limits, making these systems new is key to stay on top.

First, look closely at your current systems. Find what they do well, what they don't, and where they might not work with new tech. Look at tech issues, how systems rely on each other, risks, and the value each system has. This check helps match old IT ways with the plus points of new cloud options, making sure the move is more planned and safe.

For many organisations, legacy systems are seen as holding back the business initiatives and business processes that rely on them. When a tipping point is reached, application leaders must look to application modernisation to help remove the obstacles. – Stefan Van Der Zijden, VP Analyst, Gartner [23]

Picking From Rehosting, Replatforming, and Refactoring

When you move old systems to the cloud, there are a few ways to do it. Each way has its own pros and cons, and the best pick will depend on how your system is now, your money, and your time.

• Rehosting (Lift and Shift): This way is the quickest and costs the least. It just moves your system to the cloud with few changes. Even though it's fast, it might not fix issues like slow speeds or not being able to grow [25].
• Replatforming (Lift-Tinker-and-Shift): This way upgrades certain parts, like making databases new or better handling of web traffic. It makes things work better and cuts down on upkeep while keeping most of the old system the same [25].
• Refactoring (Full Modernisation): This takes apart parts of the system to make the most of cloud features. It takes a lot of resources but gives better speed, simpler upkeep, and better growth [25].

These tips give a way to deal with the hard task of moving old systems to the cloud.

Fixing Old System Fit Problems

One big block in moving to the cloud is linking old setups with new tech. Problems can pop up because old tech was not made for the cloud. A good fix is containerisation, where tools like Docker pack old apps into easy-to-move boxes. These boxes keep how they work the same in the cloud [21][22].

For example, a big shop around the globe put its old stock keeping system into boxes. This let them grow work well while slowly making key parts better [21].

Also, using a mix of old and new cloud parts can help. This lets old key parts work with new cloud bits, making the change smoother. As time goes by, making the system better or changing it can boost how well it works and it can grow more [21].

Using Tools for Moving Old Systems

After fixing fit problems, special tools can ease the move.

Most cloud spots have built-in help for things like database moves, app checks, and auto tests [24]. Tools like Docker and Kubernetes are key for packing old apps to work the same in the cloud [24].

For moving databases, services such as AWS, Azure, and Oracle's GoldenGate make sure data moves safe and without mess [24]. API tools like MuleSoft, Postman, and Zapier link old systems with new cloud services [24]. For very old systems, fixes like Stromasys Charon help keep old setups going on big cloud spots [19].

The cloud moving market is on the rise, set to maybe hit £645 billion by 2029, growing at 28.24% each year [26]. As 93% of firms start or plan to start digital-first ways [20], making old systems new is not just to keep up with tech - it's to grab new chances for better work and new ideas in a digital time. By making these systems new, firms can cut risks and open new doors in the cloud.

How to Get Better and Watch After Moving

After you move, the true work starts. You need to keep on top of what is going on and make your systems better once the move is done. If you do not watch them close, even well-made plans can go wrong, leading to more costs and small stalls. In fact, not being smart with resources can eat up to 33% of a firm's cloud money.

Making Goals for How Well Things Work

The first thing to do after moving is to set clear goals for how well things should work. These goals act as a standard to see how good your systems are and help you spot problems soon. Start by naming key targets that match what you want to get.

Some usual things to watch are how the CPU is used, memory used, load times, and how long servers stay up. For how users feel, check how fast apps answer, how many help calls you get, and score rates for both workers and buyers. As Febra Alexander from Doggy Bag Treat says:

We track performance metrics to ensure that our IT systems are running smoothly and efficiently in the new, cloud-based environment. For this, we use a combination of internal testing and feedback from our users to gauge how well our system is running in the cloud[3].

Setting up data gathering to run by itself is key. When people watch things, they may miss parts or make errors, which can hide big issues. But, using automated tools, we can find problems early - this could save lots of money. Think about this: just one hour of system downtime can lose up to £1.8 million. Checking how well things work often lets you see new trends and changes in how resources are used before they turn into big problems.

Using Tools for Watching Clouds

After setting standards, you need good tools to keep an eye on everything and keep up those standards. Tools for cloud watching give you updates in real-time and help catch issues early.

Take Datadog, for example. It's a well-liked tool that offers updates as they happen and uses smart tech. It's trusted around the world and helped Neto move to a new tech set-up over six months. During this time, while old and new systems worked side by side, Datadog watched both, making sure there were no problems moving customer data from MySQL to Amazon Aurora databases.

Some other good tools are New Relic - with a 4.3 out of 5 rating from 475 reviews - and Amazon CloudWatch, made for AWS users. For groups in the UK, NinjaOne is highly praised, getting 4.7 out of 5 on G2 and 4.8 out of 5 on Capterra. People say it's trustworthy and built for the cloud.

Setting alerts for when things reach certain levels is a smart plan. This lets you deal with issues before they affect work. Using one main spot for all your tools also makes handling data easier and cuts down the stress of managing many systems. For UK firms, it's extra important to use monitoring that focuses on safety to meet GDPR and NCSC rules.

Keep Making Things Better for Performance and Cost

Improvement is not a one-time thing - it keeps going. Always looking at and tweaking your resources means you get the best value from your cloud.

A good way is to make sure your resources match your real needs. Many groups set up more than they need and forget to cut back when demand falls. Using spots, which can be 90% cheaper than regular prices, is another way to save money.

Watching costs and tying them to specific business tasks gives a clearer view of your spending. This helps you focus on things that give good returns. Having one main account for tracking costs can make this easier. Also, showing your team the costs pushes smarter choices about using resources.

Real-time updates are vital in managing costs. They let you quickly see odd changes and fix them. To be really efficient, think about building your applications to auto-adjust, use managed databases, or go serverless.

The market for moving to the cloud is set to grow a lot, reaching about £820 billion by 2030 with growth each year of 28.24%. Groups that keep making their systems better will do well as this market grows, but those that ignore after-move management may face rising costs.

Key Rules for Good Cloud Change

To get a smooth and solid cloud move, three main areas need focus: careful planning, smart cost care, and following rules. These points are key, often due to the problems groups meet when moving [32]. When done right, moving to the cloud can drop the cost of IT jobs by as much as 40% [31].

As per AWS, making your group know the cloud well is a must for good results [28]. This fits with the big ideas of cost care, rule following, and renewing old systems, all of which help in a smooth change.

The Need for Good Planning

A strong plan is at the heart of any good move. This means looking at your current IT world, checking links, and picking the best move plan [27]. Groups that use a clear way often see great results, as shown in many cases.

Keeping Costs in Check

Going over budget is a common issue, with many moves costing more and taking longer [30]. To stop this, ongoing money care (FinOps) is key. Using tools that check spending can help groups save big by finding waste and making the best use of resources.

Making Sure to Follow Rules

For groups in the UK, meeting rules like GDPR and NCSC is a must. Putting strong rule care in place and working with cloud services that have the right papers are key steps. Doing rule checks all through the move can keep you from big costs later.

Starting Small and Growing Slow

When you start your move, it's good to pick easy programs that give clear worth to the business. This way lets teams get sure and know more before moving bigger and key systems. Long mix setups should be skipped, as they often cost more compared to all-cloud or all-on-site setups.

After-Move Betterment

The job isn't done once the move is over. Keep watching and making it better to make sure long-term success. With a huge spend on public cloud set to hit US$679 billion in 2024 [29], groups that keep these core points will stand strong in the cloud time.

FAQs