Understanding the complexity of migrating applications
Migrating applications to the cloud can be a complex process that requires careful planning. The level of complexity varies depending on the existing architecture and licensing arrangements. It is important for organizations to understand the spectrum of complexity of the universe of applications they want to migrate, from virtualized service-oriented to monolithic mainframe. Starting with low-complexity applications can provide immediate positive reinforcement and quick wins. The organization can create a migration plan subject to change as they progress and learn through the process.
Importance of a migration plan
It is important for businesses to have a clear migration plan before transitioning to the cloud. This plan should evaluate the current infrastructure and gather machine data to assess the scale of the transformation and ensure a successful migration. Without a thorough plan in place, organizations may face challenges such as lack of strategy, cost management, vendor lock-in, and data security and compliance. A migration plan helps to mitigate risks and ensure a smooth transition to the cloud with clearly defined goals and expected outcomes.
Common challenges in cloud migration
Cloud migration can bring various challenges, with financial costs being a significant obstacle. The investment required to migrate to the cloud can be significant, including hiring people, investing in tools and training users. Other challenges include adoption resistance, performance issues, and bandwidth costs. Unmanaged human resistance increases the likelihood of failure. Insufficient planning is also common. Nearly half of IT-driven organizations are battling cloud migration challenges, but careful evaluation, planning and change management can overcome these obstacles.
Retiring and getting rid of unnecessary applications
Organizations often accumulate a lot of unnecessary applications and data over time, which can lead to increased costs and complexity. One of the benefits of cloud migration is the opportunity to retire and get rid of these unnecessary elements. By evaluating which applications and data are truly necessary in a cloud environment, organizations can streamline their infrastructure and reduce costs. It also allows for a more efficient use of resources and better focus on the core business needs.
Main benefits of migrating to the cloud
Migrating to the cloud offers many benefits for businesses. It can help modernize their current IT base, increase business agility, improve security, and prepare for the future. Moving to the cloud can also lower infrastructure costs and provide disaster recovery solutions. As more data is expected to move to the cloud in the coming years, businesses can take advantage of these benefits to stay competitive and improve their operations.[11][12]