Employing cloud architecture has many obvious benefits, such as cost savings and greater efficiency. For this reason, organizations across the globe are turning to cloud computing to increase security and accessibility while cutting overhead costs.
Although the cloud is proving incredibly beneficial for companies, some need help migrating into new cloud systems due to challenges that can make the process more tedious and time-consuming—more so when migrating at a scale consisting of perhaps thousands of servers and hundreds of applications. Thankfully, there are ways for businesses to overcome these challenges with the right tools (and the right partner).
Common Cloud Challenges for Organizations
Organizations can face a variety of challenges when migrating to the cloud or moving to new cloud platforms. One of the most common challenges is the timeline pressures associated with the migration process. Businesses cannot typically close for any length of time. With any migration, there’s always a certain amount of pressure to get things done quickly. When moving to the cloud, that pressure is amplified by factors such as business-critical applications that need to be up and running or tight budgetary constraints. It’s essential to resist the temptation to cut corners to meet unrealistic deadlines, as this can often lead to suboptimal results and create more work down the line.
Organizational alignment is another key issue during a cloud migration. The success of your project depends on everyone being on the same page, from senior leadership down to individual contributors. There must be a clear understanding of why you’re migrating to the cloud, its benefits, and how it will impact everyone’s day-to-day work. Without that alignment, it’s too easy for people to resist change or go off in their own direction, leading to wasted effort and delays.
Lack of familiarity with the cloud operating model is another leading problem. The cloud is a new way of delivering IT services and, as such, requires a different approach to how these services are designed, built, and operated. Many organizations are still using traditional data center operating models, which are not well suited for the cloud. As a result, they often need help with issues such as provisioning infrastructure, managing capacity, and ensuring security and compliance. Additionally, they might need to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to manage a cloud environment effectively.
These setbacks can force organizations to make split-second decisions for migration, which can negatively impact their ability to migrate successfully to the cloud. An unsuccessful cloud migration can be very damaging to an organization’s functionality and budget.
The Impacts of an Unsuccessful Cloud Migration
During a cloud migration, businesses must carefully plan to execute their transitions and avoid any disruptions. If the process is not done correctly, it can have a ripple effect throughout the company, impacting everything from employee productivity to customer satisfaction.
In addition, an unsuccessful or inefficient cloud migration can lead to higher billing consumption by the workload. This means a business would have to spend more money on cloud computing resources than it would otherwise need to if the move had been executed properly. In some cases, this increased cost can be so substantial that it negates any potential savings that were expected from migrating to the cloud in the first place.
For these reasons, organizations must take the time to plan their cloud migrations carefully and work with experienced professionals who can ensure a smooth transition. Otherwise, they might face serious delays and increased costs that could harm their organizations. One of the most common tasks before migrating to the cloud for any company is developing the Cloud Business Office (or CBO) to govern the process.
The Important Role of Governance Controls
Setting up the CBO early on is crucial to ensuring the process will run smoothly for your organization and help you learn how to cut down cloud costs. Setting up a governing body consisting of stakeholders from different parts of the business is typically recommended. The center would be led by the chief information officer, chief technology officer, or someone from their offices. They then have active participation from the legal department and a finance representative from the business unit that owns an app that needs to be migrated.
Once established, the CBO will prioritize the workload to determine when each area will be migrated and implement a successful plan for cloud migration at scale.
Tips for an Effective Cloud Migration
When it comes to cloud migration at scale, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure the process is as smooth and effective as possible.
One of the most important things to consider is the scale and amount of data that you’ll need to migrate. This includes considering the size of your data set, the amount of data that needs to be moved, and the type of data. When it comes to your business, there are likely hundreds of apps you need to migrate. Smart companies prioritize the ones that are most important and start there.
Company leaders need to be aware of the keys to effective cloud migration at scale, which include automation as part of the strategy. Automation consists of setting up a “migration factory” that uses various tools, patterns, and techniques for migrating workloads. Automation can help speed up the process and ensure all steps are carried out correctly. Additionally, it can reduce the costs associated with manual processes.
Finally, you must learn as you go. Learning from a previous migration and using what you learned on your current and future migrations can help ensure a smooth migration process.
Shifting to the cloud has become standard for businesses across the globe that are looking to accelerate their digital transformation. The simple fact is that there are many benefits to using a cloud architecture for organizations of all sizes.
If you’re looking for a partner for your own cloud migration, we’re here to help. CTG has helped more than 250 clients with our unmatched cloud computing experience. Across industries, businesses count on us to help them successfully update their technology infrastructure to the latest cloud-based services.
If you’re ready to improve your cloud capabilities and optimize costs, contact the CTG team today.
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