Published 2020-08-20 by TechNet New England
Cloud computing has moved from a buzzword to a business necessity. But "moving to the cloud" means different things to different businesses, and the right approach depends entirely on your specific needs and circumstances.
What Cloud Migration Actually Means
Cloud migration is the process of moving your data, applications, and IT processes from on-premise hardware to cloud-based services. This can range from simple steps like moving email to Microsoft 365, to complex projects like migrating your entire server infrastructure to Azure or AWS.
Signs It Is Time to Consider the Cloud
- Aging hardware: Your servers are approaching end of life and you are facing a significant replacement cost
- Remote work needs: Your team needs reliable access to business applications from anywhere
- Scalability: Your business is growing and your current infrastructure cannot keep up
- Disaster recovery: Your backup and recovery capabilities are inadequate
- Compliance requirements: You need the security certifications that major cloud providers offer
- Maintenance burden: Managing on-premise infrastructure is consuming too much time and budget
Common Cloud Migration Steps
Phase 1: Email and Productivity
Moving email and office applications to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace is often the first and easiest step. It eliminates the need for an on-premise Exchange server, provides anywhere access, and includes collaboration tools like Teams and SharePoint.
Phase 2: File Storage and Sharing
Moving file shares to OneDrive, SharePoint, or similar cloud storage eliminates the need for a file server and enables seamless collaboration. Files are accessible from any device, automatically backed up, and version-controlled.
Phase 3: Line of Business Applications
Many business applications now offer cloud-hosted versions. Check with your software vendors about cloud options for your accounting, CRM, ERP, and industry-specific applications.
Phase 4: Infrastructure
For applications that must remain self-hosted, cloud infrastructure services like Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services can replace physical servers with virtual machines in the cloud.
What to Watch For
- Internet dependency: Cloud services require reliable internet. Consider a backup connection
- Ongoing costs: Cloud services are typically a monthly expense rather than a capital purchase. Budget accordingly
- Data transfer: Moving large amounts of data to the cloud takes time and planning
- Training: Your team will need to adjust to new tools and workflows
- Security configuration: Cloud services are only as secure as you configure them to be
The Hybrid Approach
Most small businesses end up with a hybrid environment: some things in the cloud, some things still on-premise. This is perfectly normal and often the most practical approach. The key is making deliberate decisions about what goes where based on your business needs.
If you are considering a cloud migration and want to understand what it would look like for your specific situation, contact us for a free assessment.