Glossary Why cloud migration

Cloud migration is rapidly becoming a strategic imperative for businesses seeking to harness the power and flexibility of cloud computing. However, the path to a successful cloud journey requires a deep understanding of what cloud migration entails and the different options available.

Understanding cloud migration

What is cloud migration? Cloud migration is the process of transitioning digital business operations from traditional on-premises infrastructure to a cloud-based environment. This involves moving data, applications, IT processes, and services to the cloud, unlocking a host of benefits such as scalability, agility, cost efficiency, and enhanced collaboration.

3 types of cloud migration

There are three primary cloud migration models, each with its own distinct characteristics and advantages:

Understanding these different cloud migration models is crucial for crafting a cloud strategy that aligns with your organization's unique goals and requirements. By carefully evaluating each option, you can embark on a cloud journey that empowers your business to thrive in the digital age.

Why are more companies migrating to the cloud?

The rapid adoption of cloud computing is more than just a passing trend; it's a strategic decision driven by tangible business benefits. Companies are increasingly recognizing the transformative potential of cloud technology to streamline operations, accelerate innovation, and maintain a competitive edge.

This shift represents a fundamental change in how businesses approach IT infrastructure and service delivery. By embracing the cloud, companies are not only enhancing their current capabilities but also building a foundation for future growth and innovation. The cloud serves as a scalable and agile platform, enabling businesses to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and customer demands.

Market trends and statistics

Recent surveys and reports highlight a significant surge in cloud adoption across diverse industries. Several key factors are fueling this momentum:

• Digital transformation: Cloud computing often lies at the heart of digital transformation initiatives, providing a platform for rapid innovation and deployment of digital solutions.
• Economic shifts: The global economic landscape necessitates cost-effective solutions, prompting many companies to opt for the flexibility and scalability of cloud computing.
• Industry-specific solutions: Cloud service providers are tailoring solutions to specific industries, making cloud technology even more accessible and relevant to a broader range of businesses.
• Remote workforce expansion: The rise of remote and hybrid work models has increased demand for cloud platforms that enable collaboration, data accessibility, and security.

Business drivers

Several compelling business drivers are propelling companies towards cloud migration:

• Flexibility and responsiveness: Cloud computing empowers businesses to scale resources up or down in response to fluctuating demands, making it ideal for organizations operating in dynamic markets or experiencing variable workloads.
• Cost reduction: Cloud migration enables companies to reduce both capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational expenditures (OpEx) by eliminating the need for on-premises IT infrastructure and transitioning to a usage-based pricing model.
• Focus on core business: By outsourcing IT infrastructure management to cloud service providers, companies can reallocate resources and expertise to their core business areas, fostering innovation and competitive advantage.

Technological advancements

Recent technological advancements have further solidified the appeal of cloud services:

• Data analytics and business intelligence: Cloud platforms now offer robust data analytics and business intelligence tools, empowering businesses to derive valuable insights from their data.
• Enhanced cloud security: Cloud providers have made significant strides in security measures and compliance protocols, addressing previous concerns and making the cloud a secure option for businesses.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): Cloud providers are democratizing access to advanced AI and ML tools, enabling businesses to leverage these technologies without incurring substantial upfront costs for specialized hardware and talent.

Why migrating to the cloud is beneficial

Migrating to the cloud is a strategic move that offers businesses a multitude of benefits, ranging from substantial cost savings and enhanced scalability to access to cutting-edge technologies. This transition empowers organizations to achieve greater operational efficiency, robust security, and effective disaster recovery, enabling them to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Real-world success stories

Insight has a proven track record of helping businesses of all sizes migrate to the cloud and achieve success. Here are a few examples:

The collaborative efforts of Insight and Digital Turbine's teams resulted in price parity, aligning costs with expectations. The migration encompassed the movement of over 500 databases containing more than 38 terabytes of data, all while minimizing downtime and ensuring zero revenue loss. Additionally, a common Kubernetes infrastructure was implemented, enabling better resource management for scaling up or down. Security and compliance were also enhanced through the application of organizational policies and a role-based model for IAM permissions. The result was a robust and secure network with isolated projects and controlled traffic flow.

These are just a few examples of how Insight has helped businesses migrate to the cloud and achieve success. With deep expertise in cloud technologies and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Insight is a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes looking to leverage the power of the cloud. Visit our Customer Stories page for more real-world cloud migration examples.

Process of cloud migration

The cloud migration journey can be divided into three key phases: pre-migration, migration, and post-migration. Each phase involves critical activities that organizations must undertake to ensure a successful transition to the cloud.

Pre-migration

Define your strategy

• Overview: This initial phase focuses on establishing clear objectives and understanding the scope of the cloud migration. It involves defining the reasons behind the migration, the expected benefits, and how it aligns with the overall business strategy.
• Key actions:
  • Assess your current IT infrastructure to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
  • Determine the most suitable cloud migration path for your applications and data.
  • Choose the appropriate cloud service model (IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS) and deployment model (public, private, or hybrid).

Plan your migration

• Overview: Detailed planning is crucial for minimizing risks and disruptions during the migration process. This step involves creating a comprehensive migration plan that outlines timelines, resources, cost projections, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Key actions:
  • Prioritize applications and workloads for migration based on their criticality and complexity.
  • Develop a detailed project plan with clear timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
  • Assign roles and responsibilities to ensure accountability and effective communication.

Migration

Prepare the organization

• Overview: Preparing the organization involves ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and aligned with the migration goals. It encompasses staff training, establishing communication channels, and preparing the IT environment for the transition.
• Key actions:
  • Train employees on new cloud technologies and processes to ensure a smooth transition.
  • Communicate regularly with stakeholders to keep them informed of migration progress and address any concerns.
  • Ensure that the IT environment is ready for migration by addressing any technical or compatibility issues.

Execute the migration

• Overview: This is the most critical phase, involving the actual migration of applications, data, and services to the cloud environment. A well-defined and rigorously tested strategy is essential to maintain data integrity and minimize downtime.
• Key actions:
  • Execute the migration plan according to the defined strategy, ensuring that each step is carefully validated before proceeding.
  • Monitor the migration process closely to identify and resolve any issues that may arise.
  • Conduct thorough testing to ensure that all applications and services are functioning correctly in the cloud environment.

Post-migration

Secure and manage your workloads

• Overview: Once the migration is complete, the focus shifts to securing the new cloud environment and managing the migrated workloads. This includes implementing robust security measures, ensuring compliance, and maintaining optimal performance.
• Key actions:
  • Implement appropriate security measures to protect sensitive data and applications in the cloud.
  • Monitor operational efficiency and availability to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards to mitigate legal and financial risks.

Govern and cost optimize your cloud environments

• Overview: Effective governance and cost management are crucial for long-term success in the cloud. This step involves establishing policies for cloud usage, optimizing resources to control costs, and continuously improving efficiency.
• Key actions:
  • Establish clear cloud governance frameworks to define roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes.
  • Regularly review and optimize cloud spending to identify and eliminate unnecessary costs.
  • Implement best practices for resource utilization to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.

By following these steps and partnering with experienced cloud professionals like Insight, organizations can confidently navigate the complexities of cloud migration and unlock the full potential of cloud computing to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth.

Which cloud migration strategy works best for enterprise companies?

Choosing the optimal cloud migration strategy for your enterprise hinges on several factors, including your company's unique requirements, the nature of your applications, budget considerations, and your readiness to embrace transformation. Let's delve into the primary strategies available:

Re-platforming (or revising)

This strategy involves making strategic optimizations to your applications to harness the power of the cloud without the need for a complete overhaul.

Pros:

• Strikes a balance between the advantages of cloud features and the cost of application modifications.

Cons:

• Requires more time and resources than simply rehosting and may not fully utilize all cloud capabilities.

Ideal for: Applications that can benefit from certain cloud-native features but don't warrant a full-scale refactor.

Rehosting (or lift and shift)

Rehosting entails seamlessly migrating applications from their existing environment to the cloud while preserving their core functionality and architecture.

Pros:

• Swift implementation due to minimal changes, cost-effective in the short term, and less complex, requiring less in-depth cloud expertise.

Cons:

• Limited ability to leverage cloud-native features and potential for higher long-term costs due to inefficiencies.

Ideal for: Companies seeking rapid migration or those with legacy systems that are difficult to modify.

Refactoring (or re-architecting)

Refactoring involves a substantial redesign of applications to make them fully cloud-native, taking full advantage of the cloud's flexibility and scalability.

Pros:

• Maximizes cloud efficiency and scalability, offers long-term cost savings and agility, and enables full utilization of cloud features, such as serverless computing.

Cons:

• High upfront cost and complexity, requires significant time and skilled resources.

Ideal for: Business-critical applications where scalability and flexibility are paramount.

Retiring (or revisiting)

This strategy involves evaluating your entire IT portfolio and making informed decisions to decommission or consolidate certain applications.

Pros:

• Reduces costs by eliminating redundant or unnecessary applications, simplifies the IT environment, and frees up resources for more critical applications.

Cons:

• Requires careful assessment to avoid disrupting business operations and may face resistance from users accustomed to specific applications.

Ideal for: Larger enterprises with numerous legacy applications, offering the opportunity to streamline operations and cut costs.

Replacing (or repurchasing)

This approach involves transitioning to a new product altogether, often a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, instead of migrating existing applications.

Pros:

• Simplifies the IT landscape, often provides updated features and functionalities compared to legacy systems, and reduces the need for in-house maintenance and support.

Cons:

• May necessitate changes in business processes, potential data migration challenges, and possible vendor lock-in.

Ideal for: Outdated systems where modern SaaS offerings can deliver significant benefits or when reducing the complexity of the IT environment is a top priority.

By carefully considering these strategies and aligning them with your specific needs and goals, you can make an informed decision and embark on a successful cloud migration journey. Engaging a trusted cloud partner can provide invaluable expertise and guidance throughout the process, ensuring a seamless and successful transition.

Insight offers comprehensive cloud migration services, from initial assessment and planning to execution and ongoing optimization. Our team of certified experts has extensive experience in migrating workloads to the cloud, ensuring a seamless and secure transition. We can help you choose the right migration strategy, develop a detailed plan, and execute the migration with minimal disruption to your business.

Contact us today to learn more about our cloud migration services and how we can help you achieve your cloud goals.

The 6 biggest cloud migration challenges

Understanding and proactively addressing the complexities of cloud migration is crucial for a successful transition. Here's a look at six common challenges and strategies to mitigate them:

1. Migrating applications with dependencies

Applications often have intricate dependencies on databases, external services, or specific hardware. Migrating these applications without careful consideration can lead to broken functionalities and performance issues. To mitigate this, thoroughly map and understand application dependencies, employ phased migration approaches, and rigorously test post-migration to ensure seamless functionality.

2. Aligning existing security policies with cloud environments

Cloud ecosystems present unique security considerations compared to traditional on-premises architecture. Ensuring that existing security policies and compliance regulations are seamlessly integrated is essential. Review and update security policies to align with cloud architectures, engage cloud security experts for compliance, and utilize cloud-native security tools and services to mitigate risks.

3. Enhancing staff proficiency for cloud operations

The shift to the cloud necessitates new skills and knowledge. Existing IT staff may lack the expertise to effectively manage and operate in cloud environments. Investing in training and upskilling programs, hiring or contracting cloud experts for specific needs, and fostering a culture of continuous learning can address this challenge.

4. Managing the cost of refactoring and rewriting applications

Adapting applications to thrive in cloud environments often requires significant time and financial investment, particularly for legacy systems. Conducting a detailed cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the value of refactoring, prioritizing applications based on their suitability and business impact, and exploring incremental refactoring approaches can help manage costs and maximize returns.

5. Developing a comprehensive strategic plan

A well-defined and comprehensive migration strategy is crucial for a successful transition. The absence of a clear plan can lead to misaligned goals, cost overruns, and missed deadlines. Developing a clear migration roadmap aligned with business objectives, engaging stakeholders across departments, and regularly reviewing and adjusting the plan can ensure a smooth and efficient migration process.

6. Addressing infrastructure incompatibilities between clouds

When migrating to the cloud, organizations often encounter challenges adapting their existing infrastructure to align with the specific characteristics of the target cloud platform. Thoroughly evaluate both current and desired infrastructure configurations, leverage middleware or compatibility layers where necessary, and consider hybrid or multi-cloud strategies to bridge any gaps and ensure a seamless migration experience.

How Insight can help organizations overcome these challenges

Insight can help you navigate these challenges by providing expertise, guidance, and support throughout your cloud migration journey. Our experts can help you:

• Assess your current environment: Identify dependencies, security risks, and skill gaps.
• Develop a comprehensive migration plan: Align your strategy with your business goals and technical requirements.
• Execute the migration: Minimize disruption to your business and ensure a smooth transition.
• Optimize your cloud environment: Maximize performance, cost-efficiency, and security.
• Provide ongoing support: Ensure your cloud environment is always up-to-date and secure.

By acknowledging and proactively addressing these challenges with the support of a trusted partner, organizations can navigate the complexities of cloud migration with confidence and achieve their desired outcomes. Contact us to learn how we can help you develop a well-planned and executed migration strategy that can unlock the full potential of the cloud, driving innovation, agility, and business growth.

Cloud migration tools

Your journey to the cloud can be significantly streamlined and enhanced by leveraging specialized software solutions. Let's explore some leading options, with a spotlight on Google Cloud VMware Engine (GCVE), a premier choice for organizations seeking to harness the power of Google Cloud while maintaining their existing VMware investments.

Google Cloud VMware Engine

This innovative solution empowers you to run your VMware workloads natively in Google Cloud, providing seamless integration with Google Cloud services, enterprise-grade security, and operational consistency. It's a reliable and scalable choice for organizations looking to modernize their infrastructure and leverage the full potential of Google Cloud.

VMware Cloud on AWS

This solution integrates VMware's Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC) with Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud, offering a familiar environment for extending VMware workloads. It provides seamless AWS integration, consistent VMware experience, and effortless scalability. However, recent changes in its distribution model have raised questions about the future of this product. It's recommended to carefully evaluate your options and consider alternatives before committing to VMware Cloud on AWS.

Azure VMware Solution

Designed for running VMware workloads on Microsoft Azure, this solution offers deep Azure integration, consistency with your existing VMware environment, and scalability to meet your evolving needs.

Oracle Cloud VMware Solution

This solution enables you to run your VMware workloads on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), combining the performance of OCI with the familiarity of VMware. It offers high-performance computing capabilities, integration with Oracle services, and full control over your VMware environment.

IBM Cloud for VMware Solutions

Designed to deploy managed VMware environments in IBM Cloud, this solution provides seamless integration with IBM's comprehensive suite of services. It offers customization options and a secure infrastructure.

VMware Cloud Foundation

This comprehensive software-defined platform is your gateway to hybrid cloud environments. It simplifies cloud management, streamlines lifecycle management, and provides a unified SDDC platform for consistent operations across your data centers and the cloud.

VMware HCX / HCX+

This advanced application mobility platform simplifies workload migration and optimization across multiple clouds. Its features include multi-cloud mobility, network optimization, and secure migration, enabling seamless and efficient workload movement.

By choosing the right cloud migration tool tailored to your specific requirements, you can accelerate your cloud journey, simplify operations, and unlock the full potential of the cloud. While other solutions offer valuable features, Google Cloud VMware Engine stands out as a premier choice for those seeking a seamless integration with Google Cloud's robust infrastructure and services. It empowers you to maintain your existing VMware investments while harnessing the innovation and scalability of Google Cloud.