Everything you need to know about Cloud Migration

Firstly, what is cloud migration?

The Cloud has become the go-to popular platform for businesses to use as their new technology environment. The Cloud is dominating the digital era as it can provide users with a more flexible, scalable, secure and cost-effective way to increase efficiency and productivity within a business.

Cloud migration is the process of moving applications and data from traditional on-premises solutions and servers to a cloud-hosted environment such as Microsoft 365 and Azure. The Cloud enables your current legacy applications to benefit from its innovative technology by propelling them into the digital landscape.

However, it is not uncommon for SMEs to be unsure about migrating to the Cloud due to the complexity of the process. Fortunately, we have all the information you need to ensure you start off on the right path towards cloud success.

Cloud migration 101

1. Plan your journey

Migrating to the Cloud is a process that cannot be rushed; it needs careful and methodical planning. Each step needs dedicated time and thought. Your business is unique, so your Cloud needs will be as well. Different cloud platforms will offer greater efficiencies for specific uses, so there will multiple cloud services to support your needs. Research into the different options to assess what is the right option for you when planning your Cloud journey.

Remember, downtime is another factor to consider when migrating. When applications get switched from one environment to another, there will be some loss of functionality temporarily. Ensure to include this in your plan and inform your team and stakeholders so everyone is aware of the upcoming changes.

2. Business priorities

It is essential to know your current IT infrastructure down to a T before migrating. Once you have assessed your IT environment and made note of all your applications and systems, you need to determine what needs to be migrated and what content is a priority to migrate?. Evaluate what your business priorities are when it comes to your Cloud, so you can get the most out of it.

3. Look at third parties

You’ll need a third-party cloud provider. When choosing your cloud provider, ensure they offer a cloud solution that aligns with your business goals. At Novem IT, we partner with industry-leading vendors, and will liaise with them on your behalf so you don’t have to worry. We can help you migrate to your platform of choice, whether this is Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS) for example, we can make your move seamless and stress-free.

4. Cloud migration benefits 

If you’re considering a cloud migration you need to know the benefits once you’re there. Here are just a few:

Cost-effective:

The Cloud provides a reduction in business overheads from running and maintaining internal IT hardware and infrastructure. Also, you can turn on and off services when you require them, so you are only paying for what you need.

Reduce complexity and get more time back:

Cloud solutions mean you no longer have to manage and maintain complex on-premises server setups. This gives you and your team more valuable time back to focus on what you do best.

Increase scalability and flexibility:

The Cloud is scalable to your business needs; as you grow, your Cloud grows with you. This enables businesses to be more flexible when managing their remote workforce.

Mobility:

Get your work life balance back on track by working from anywhere and from any device.

Security:

The Cloud is a more secure environment for your data. Firstly, it is not on-premises, therefore, you won’t have to worry about natural disasters or physical accidents. Secondly, your cloud provider will carry out all maintenance and updates, ensuring your cloud security is always robust.

Read our blog on the advantages of cloud commuting for SMEs to find out more about the benefits.

5. Why Novem IT

Novem IT are a team of accredited cloud experts with over two decades of experience helping businesses with their IT needs and cloud migrations, with all our cloud solutions bespoke to your business needs.

Your cloud migration does not need to be challenging. Our cloud solutions will help to increase efficiency, secure data, provide reliable backups, enable your business to scale and provide you with greater control over your IT – all at a cost-effective price.

Next steps

A member of the Novem IT team will be more than happy to discuss your cloud migration questions and needs. Simply give us a call.