If you’re thinking about migrating your business to the cloud, the first thing you need to do is create a cloud migration project plan. But what is a cloud migration plan, and where to start?
Below we’ll take you through some of our helpful hacks and top tips for cloud migration, including what a TCO analysis is and why it’s a must for your cloud migration plan. But first things first.
What is a cloud migration plan?
A cloud migration plan is a strategy developed by a business to help migrate, or, in other words, move its data, applications, and more, from physical data-storage facilities to a cloud architecture.
This plan should detail and analyze the processes, strategies, benefits, challenges, and costs of a cloud migration move, making it straightforward for all parties involved and ensuring the decision to move to the cloud is the right one for the business.
A cloud migration plan is the first step in a successfully accomplished cloud migration project. After all, one does not simply migrate to the cloud in one day.
How to create a cloud migration plan?
For businesses first approaching the cloud planning and migration process, it can be challenging to know where to start. After all, you’ve probably heard that “migrating to the cloud is great for businesses,” so that must be the case, right? Well, not quite.
Cloud migration is suitable for many companies, but not all. Putting in place a realistic, well-developed cloud migration plan can help you establish if this is the right move for your business, how much it will cost, and how to do it right.
How should the cloud migration process look?
1. Answer the why
Don’t just go with the cool crowd. When choosing cloud migration, it’s vital that you do so because it’s right for your business. Answering the “why migrate to the cloud?” question helps you establish the qualitative benefits of migration and why it could help your business become even more efficient.
2. Know the costs
Almost any business decision will essentially incur payments. And cloud migration is no exception. A cloud migration cost analysis will help you plan the spendings in advance, so there are no unpleasant surprises and overheads later. We recommend carrying out a TCO analysis, otherwise known as a Total Cost of Ownership analysis. It embraces project’s capital expenses, indirect fees, and operational costs that will assist in making the right decision within your long- or short-term business goals.
But why not just set out the immediate costs instead? Doing a cloud TCO analysis gives you the ‘bigger picture’ of your cloud migration. The primary costs may seem daunting, especially if you’ve had to bring a team on board. However, overtime costs should even out, giving you long-term benefits.
3. Get the knowledge
Just like you wouldn’t try to install a sink if you’re not a plumber, no one expects you to undertake a cloud migration or even a plan on your own. If you already have an in-house team who are up to the challenge, great! If not, it’s time to bring in the experts. Getting the right people on board early will save you in the long-term and help avoid any costly errors.
Do you want to make your cloud migration process smooth and seamless?
Our top helpful hacks for your cloud migration plan
Over the years, we’ve experienced all types of cloud migration trials and challenges that are pain points for our clients. Here are our top tips for getting your cloud migration planning off to a flying start.
1. Don’t go all-in at once
No, this doesn’t apply to how much of your business you wish to migrate to the cloud. Instead, what we mean is don’t jump in at the deep end. If you are unsure about how to migrate your business to the cloud, take a gradual approach and consider all your options carefully. It’s better to go slow and steady to avoid costly errors than to try to fix them on the go.
2. Expect the unexpected
Very few cloud migrations go exactly to plan, and that’s to be expected. So, as we always say, “expect the unexpected.” This way, you can prepare for the challenges along the way. Completing risk analysis to detect potential risks and a TCO analysis to highlight hidden costs can help you migrate some of these risks on your cloud migration journey.
3. Embrace the process
How we store data and do business is changing. More and more companies are switching to the cloud. While this process can be scary, it’s vital that you embrace it fully as part of the long-term strategy of your business, not “just something the tech guys do,” to get the most out of your migration.
Ready to migrate? Great!
Starting out on your cloud migration planning journey is exciting, but it’s also a daunting task too. When you are ready to begin, it’s vital that you go back to basics and evaluate and plan your cloud migration down to a tee. Need some help with cloud migration cost analysis? Drop us a message.
