As a term Cloud stands for short of Cloud Computing and this refers to internet accessed pool of computer services. This gives instant access to computer services without setup and is accessible on demand and self-service. With the help of cloud, the data and applications on the on-premise computers can be preserved in huge data centers around the globe.The term ‘Data Centre’ is often used to indicate the space allotted to housing computer systems and their essential accouterments. Unlike conventional server rooms, data centers are normally huge and are designed specifically for the being dedicated to housing computer equipment. They are dedicated to fulfilling the purpose of storing massive tech running in optimal conditions. These data centers are managed by different companies which are specifically working on reducing the need for on-premise IT resources and setup.
This is called ‘Cloud’ as it is based on the symbol used in conceptual network diagrams in the decade of 1970s. At times, the Cloud often gets synonymized with internet but actually it is not internet, but it uses internet for the delivery of resources.
What is Cloud Migration?
Cloud Migration is a process that involves moving data crucial for your business, emails and applications to Cloud Computing Environment. This often entails the transferring the data to the public cloud by moving it from a legacy, on-premise IT infrastructure. This legacy IT infrastructure not only takes up space, but has the potential of hindering the growth and agility of a business as this infrastructure is usually, outdated and non-reliable at all. In other ways, the process of cloud migration can also include the shift of a business from one cloud service provider to other cloud service provider. Here, the applications migrate from one company to another.
Why should a business move to the cloud?
Almost 31% of the total enterprises prefer to move to the public cloud and the reason is that moving on public cloud opens up plenty of advantaged that can benefit growth-driven businesses in an effective manner. Here are some of these:
- Cost Reduction: A shift to Cloud Computing helps businesses reducing expenses and improving the predictability of expenses. Shifting to cloud makes company paying for the services held for a pay-as-you-go basis, instead of spending a huge amount for an expensive and limited on-premise setup. Almost half of the companies and firms have been benefitted by the cloud technology as the IT cost for them has been reduced by 30-50%.
- Freedom and Flexibility: Modern Business platforms are transforming and firms are looking forward to hold remote workers and setting up new offices or want their employees to work on the go. To make this realizing, business technology must be compatible. To attain this kind of flexibility and independence, Cloud Computing offers you BYOD (bring-your-own-device) initiatives along with remote working plans.
- Scalability: Cloud computing is growth oriented and allows to you to expand and reduce the resources with greater ease. It doesn’t restrict you with the need of installing new infrastructure whenever you have to deploy or accommodate more data or a new application. Cloud ensures you that you will find the space in the cloud environment.
- Security: Cloud computing is a secure way to protect your business assets. It provides unparalleled security solutions to preserve and manage your data that flows through your business. Running operations on legacy IT also opens the serious risk of compromising customers’ security which can easily be reduced by cloud computing.
The benefits of cloud migration are clear as it allows for greater flexibility in accessing and managing data by moving away from traditional IT infrastructure. It helps you save money by preventing expenditure on physical network maintenance and opens a direct way forup scaling of systems according to the time. Cloud migration seems like a daunting thing for organizations still relying upon traditional data management. This is not true when you have chosen the right cloud partner. Migration to the cloud requires efficient consideration and planning and it has to be ensured that the migration is as seamless as possible.
Cloud Migration Services
Could Migration services are the way which enables businesses moving to the cloud and the uses products to get there. This service and tools for this has been provided by the Cloud providers only that can help migrating workloads and applications from one cloud to another.These services ensure the certainty and no pain while moving your assets as they offer a stipulated and thorough solution of your needs.The provider or IT partner takes care of the timescale, finances and services within migration and also minimizes the downtime and disruption to the business activities.
Cloud migration allows companies to move closer to their customers like never before and gives them the pace to move parallel to the speed of the market. It enables firms to involve their staff in innovation and to do several other things in order to enhance opportunities for their business.
Cloud migration can be identified in four types, based on the demand and choice of the companies to use the cloud to achieve their goals. The most crucial part of the migration to the cloud is to ensure that it gets the company where it needs to be. The four types of cloud migration may be called as- lift and shift; shift to software–as-a-service (SaaS), application refactoring, and replatforming.
Lift and shift approach is suitable for the organizations willing to get out of the concern of managing hardware and get rid of the data centers. It provides you the same software but in the cloud to be working upon. This is the fastest way of migrating application to the cloud. But there are certain limitations also in this as you can’t take benefits of speed and versatility of cloud.
Shift to SaaS is the second type of migration to the cloud and it is designed for the companies that are not willing to devote time and resources to the applications functional outside their core business. Shifting on to this type helps you free employees and let them focus on the core competencies in order to make business more competitive and unique. In this, the applications are shifted to a cloud services company specialized in management of such applications. In this type of shift may lead you to lose the customization required for giving a competitive edge to your business.
Third model is Application refactoring that is an approach for organizations holding specific applications which could benefit from the cloud platform. This is a low risk plan enables legacy applications running in the parallel while new applications are being constructed. It makes company avails the benefits of agility and speed to market. In this model companies’ legacy applications, whole and intact, can be replicated onto a cloud platform. This is an important approach because picking the right platform for the applications is crucial and vital with the point of view of refactoring applications in the right order.
Replatforming or Developing Applications in the Cloud is the last identified approach and is suitable for the companies looking to embrace greater benefits of the cloud, enterprise-wide. This is the right model for the companies willing to develop their core competencies in a scalable, flexible, robust, resilient, redundant and available manner. Though, it is the hardest to implement as it demands the intense planning for future and cost upfront. But, this only way enables you to utilize the complete strength and flexibility of the cloud.
All the above approaches have their own share of advantages, and they have their limitations associated too. Finding the best method is crucial to get the desired benefits for your organization and making your operations a success as your business has some specific needs to be satisfied.
