8 Cloud Migration Questions to Ask Before Making the Switch

Undoubtedly, cloud migration is a popular technology; and many companies are planning to adopt cloud-based solutions. But moving to the cloud is a significant change, so it's vital to get rid of any doubts about the technology. Before moving to the cloud, you should perform assessments to understand your cloud needs, the solutions, the fulfillment, and everything else you're expecting from the cloud market.

Here are the top commonly asked questions about cloud migration which will help you get a clear perspective while planning your shift to the cloud.

1. What are Your Objectives?

The market is full of competition and it's not just about being the best but also about bringing technological advancements to improve performance. Identifying your objectives is vital before moving to the cloud because cloud migration requires time, effort, and money, and so the motive must be clear. 

• Identify why your company needs to migrate to the cloud.
• What are the benefits you expect from cloud migration?
• What do you expect to achieve from cloud migration?
• What level of cloud architecture are you looking for?

The cloud architecture you choose will provide performance, availability, security, compliance, etc. Benefits will increase or decrease according to how much you're willing to spend. So before adopting cloud, identify your goals and then proceed. 

2. Is Your Business Ready for Cloud Migration?

Understanding whether your business is ready for cloud migration is another vital question to ask before getting started. Companies can shift to the cloud for various reasons, but it's critical to evaluate from an operations perspective if you have the right resources in place. Assessing the current IT setup will help businesses understand if they're ready to adopt cloud architecture for their business. 

• What level of security and flexibility is required for your business?
• What is the ease of migration?
• What would be the expenditure, and are you ready to invest significant capital?

Answering these questions will help you understand if your business is ready for cloud migration at the structural, operational, and financial levels.

3. What is Your Cloud Migration Strategy?

The next important question on the list is your cloud migration strategy. Not all methods are successful, but it's wise to have a planned-out strategy. It might work or fail; whatever the outcome, it's wise to be prepared. There are four primary strategies for cloud migration that companies can use.

1. Rehosting (Lift and Shift): Also known as “Fork Lifting,” this approach allows moving an existing application to the cloud without making any changes to its code. The systems are moved from the current location to a cloud provider. 
2. Repurchase (Drop and Shop): This allows you to drop the old services and repurchase licenses of third-party services, which means you can use a cloud-based solution to replace a legacy application. 
3. Replatform: Using this approach, companies can make minor changes in the configuration of an existing application and move it to the cloud to ensure improved performance. 
4. Refactor: This allows companies to redevelop cloud-based applications. 

4. Should You Outsource Cloud Migration?

Cloud migration is a necessary process that needs to be safely executed. It requires personnel with the right skill set to understand the technology. Organizations without an IT team can always outsource cloud migration for their company.

There are plenty of managed service providers (MSPs) available who can help your company attain its objectives. Although, before choosing a vendor, it's essential to understand:

• What services are offered by the vendors
• Is your vendor right for this job?
• Is your data safe and protected with these vendors?

And the list goes on. Finalize vendors on your terms to ensure good service. Enquire and collect details before you finalize a vendor to outsource cloud migration.

5. Do You Need Additional IT Staff?

Handling the ins and outs of the cloud is crucial. The right team can handle every situation and reduce the chances of mishaps. Many companies often ask if they need to hire additional IT staff for cloud migration. Well, it entirely depends on which type of cloud architecture your company requires. If your company is getting help from a vendor to handle your cloud migration and related processes, then there is no need to hire new staff. 

On the other hand, having IT experts on-site can be helpful. Companies that don't have employees with the required skillsets can hire IT professionals. If your company already has IT teams, many cloud providers offer training and certifications. This allows them to understand the cloud architecture and processes internally.

6. What Workloads Can You Move to the Cloud?

Companies can identify the workloads they want to move to the cloud based on business and cloud strategy. You can move anything to the cloud, whether a single task or an entire environment. The most common workload is moving backups to the cloud. Many companies leverage Backup as a Service (BaaS) to reduce the chances of data loss. However, companies also migrate application-based workloads to the cloud.

7. What are the Best Cloud Security Measures?

The most important aspect of using any technology is understanding how impactful, secure, and robust it can be. These days, cyberattackers are common, and businesses must have security measures in place. However, a cloud system is generally more secure than private data centers. Cloud infrastructure backs up data and offers various security parameters and tools to encrypt data and detect potential cyber threats.

8. What are the Benefits of Cloud Migration?