Many large businesses have reaped the benefits of moving from on-premise to cloud computing. However, other businesses might still be unsure whether it makes sense for them to migrate their data. What specific benefits does cloud computing offer, and is it worth it?
For those who are unaware, migrating to the cloud involves the process of moving digital assets into a cloud infrastructure from local, physical servers.
So, what are the benefits of moving to the cloud? What should you keep in mind as you migrate from on-premise to cloud computing? How much will it affect operations? Are there some types of data that shouldn’t be moved to the cloud?
There are a bevy of common questions about migrating data to the cloud; it’s understandable to have some concerns about moving to newer technology. But here is what you need to know about migrating from on-premise to cloud technology.
Agility and Flexibility
Cloud technology allows employees and management to access their business data securely no matter where they are. With the rise of remote work, this is especially relevant to companies that might have international offices or who have large numbers of staff working from home. It allows for a significant amount of agility regarding adapting to the marketplace.
Employees can also access data from anywhere, which means that they can get work done outside of working hours and outside the workplace as needed. This allows your company to be more flexible than ever before.
The 2020 Factor
For years, many companies had scoff at the idea of investing in flexibility when it wasn’t seen as a necessity. However, 2020 has shown us that flexibility is a priority, considering that the pandemic has changed how hundreds of millions of people work worldwide. Cloud technology makes it much easier and more efficient for employees to work from home, no matter their sector or industry.
During a time where different areas in the world were experiencing complete lockdown, countless businesses and organisations have had to shift to cloud technology in order to continue operating at all. Many businesses that were already thinking about migrating to the cloud were forced to migrate as a result of circumstance, and to excellent results. It is clear that cloud technology, which was already growing rapidly, will grow even more quickly over the next few years and into the next decade.
Relevant Cloud Tech Trends
What are some trends in cloud technology today? First and foremost, cloud security is more of a consideration than ever before. With more companies going remote, there are more questions and concerns regarding legal compliance and virtual private clouds, and you can expect there to be a renewed focus on cloud security as a result.
Another relevant trend regarding cloud computing is the fact that hybrid cloud solutions are undoubtedly becoming more popular. Organisations are slowly realising that a “one size fits all” approach to cloud technology isn’t the way to operate and may be thinking more about balancing private cloud and public cloud environments.
Cloud data management is also different now because it isn’t about one specific platform or infrastructure. More companies are realising that a hybrid-cloud solution allows them to embrace a situation where they might use different cloud providers for specific solutions or reasons. Hearst Corporation, which owns over 360 separate businesses, has taken an omni-cloud approach, as they have tapped AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure for their needs.
Steps for Moving to the Cloud
Cloud migration can take time, and there are many things to consider before beginning data migration. First and foremost, your company should understand your level of cloud migration, and whether you are interested in a multi-cloud solution or not. It should also be established which applications will be moved to the cloud, and which ones will remain “as-is.”
Single Cloud or Multi-Cloud Approach?
One of the most important things to understand is whether you are taking a single cloud or multi-cloud approach. Some companies might benefit from optimising data for a specific environment, but a multi-cloud approach is beneficial for larger organisations that might require more flexibility and adaptability. This decision needs to be made before migration occurs.
Establish KPIs Before Migration
It’s also important to establish cloud KPIs before migration. This is the case because it can help measure the success of the migration. Once these KPIs are established, your business should develop baselines and prioritise what should be migrated.
Some businesses might focus on user experience KPIs, like page load time or response time, while other businesses might be more concerned about conversions and engagement rates. Selecting the right cloud provider will also be essential.
Be Clear On Cloud Security
Your company should also speak extensively to your cloud provider regarding security. The average data breach can cost a business millions of dollars, so this is important to consider regardless of your size. In 2019, it was estimated that a data breach costs a company, on average, 8.9 million dollars. Cybersecurity is something that all businesses have to consider.
Do A Trial Migration
After these steps, consider refactoring. This will involve steps like understanding resource utilisation and maintaining data integrity. A trial migration should also take place so that you can review performance; check that your cloud provider offers a trial period. Once the trial period is over, your organisation can finalise the transition.
If you are considering migrating your business to the cloud or to a hybrid cloud model, our team is here to answer any questions you have and help you through every step of the process from start to finish.
Get in touch at info@calnet.ie or speak to one of our team now on (0)1 818 3272.
