Migrating data to the Cloud can have various benefits but also challenges.

 

The benefits of cloud migration include reduced IT costs and a marked improvement in data access, security, and other factors influencing organizational efficiency. However, along with these benefits come challenges, including planning complexity and issues involving cost to the company. Let’s examine those benefits and challenges in greater detail.   

 

Evaluating The Benefits Of Cloud Migration

 

Cost Optimization

 

Migrating to the Cloud can have far-reaching effects such as savings in resource expenses – and real estate costs. Using the Cloud also means that workloads are optimized to reduce running costs.  

 

Scalability and Flexibility

 

– Organizations only pay for the resources that they use on the Cloud; they avoid the costs associated with IT assets that are infrequently used.

 

– Organizations can react instantly to changing circumstances that might be required to meet elevated demand or more powerful computing resources.

 

– A hybrid Cloud model is an increasingly popular option; This leverages existing IT infrastructure and skills. It is worth noting that there can be benefits in terms of compliance issues obtained using this model.

 

– The Cloud allows worldwide access, allowing companies to significantly improve performance by handling workloads close to client locations – or leveraging in-country human resources.   

 

Improved Security

 

Public Clouds have optimized security features and specialized tools to ensure that the company’s data remains secure. In addition, patches are automatically applied by the Cloud service provider so that the organization knows that security features are always up to date.  

 

Compliance Regulations

 

Many Cloud providers have specialized offerings geared toward meeting compliance requirements; This can save on resources in tightly regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and government. 

 

Ease of Backup, Recovery, and Failover

 

Ease of backup and recovery are two of the most critical factors in the success of any IT strategy. The majority of Cloud service providers enable one-click backup and recovery as standard. Backups can also be stored in different geographical regions to ensure that backups remain uncompromised in the event of primary server failure. 

 

Management and Monitoring Made Simple

 

Managing and monitoring the data center at a business location is simplified through a single screen; This is dependent on the Cloud provider allowing for the use of a central management tool.   

 

Ease of Planning

 

Large-scale migrations can be fraught with complexity and require careful planning across all departments of an organization; This differs from the simple process of relocating individual workloads to the Cloud. Any successful migration will start with a carefully defined strategy and obtaining buy-in from various stakeholders, including organizational leadership, technical departments, and business partners.  

 

Cost Implications 

 

Could migration offer a superior return on investment in the short and long term? However, there can be no escaping the fact that the migration can drain resources, including time and money. Therefore, these costs must be carefully calculated. 

 

Compliance and Security Issues

 

Cloud providers offer suites of security and compliance tools. However, the organization is responsible for implementing the right solution to meet its unique needs. Therefore, security and compliance issues need to be carefully considered and taken into account while planning.  

 

Downtime Considerations

 

Although, indeed, the process of moving large amounts of data to the Cloud to be achieved in a concise time planning is paramount. A considered approach would be to move manageable batches of data in tranches using an iterative process.

 

Adoption and Training Requirements

 

Most IT developers and qualified personnel will find that their current skillset enables them to deal with the demands of Cloud computing efficiently; however, other staff will require some training. Ideally, such activity should occur before migration to ensure success pre and post-migration.  

 

Choosing a Partner or Vendor

 

This is where NGEN comes in. Most organizations lack the appropriate internal resources to both plan and implement successful migration. NGEN technical experts have a wealth of experience regarding migration successes and challenges. In addition, we take into account the business’s unique needs to ensure success.