Are you ready to accelerate your cloud migration and data modernization?
Migrating and modernizing to the cloud isn’t a sprint. It’s a journey that takes time. And there isn’t a single cloud adoption path that works for everyone.
However, infrastructure and application modernization does not have be daunting. Working with a trusted partner can also help you on your path to turn your vision into impact.
Use the Azure Cloud Adoption Framework
The Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure is a detailed set of proven guidance designed to help you create and implement the business and technology strategies necessary for your organization to succeed in the cloud. It provides best practices, documentation, and tools that cloud architects, IT professionals, and business decision makers need to successfully achieve their short and long-term objectives.
Understand that not every application can or should follow the same path to the cloud.
The best approach to modernization involves evaluating your portfolio to understand the best way forward based on specific business and IT needs. The reality is that most organizations will need to use a combination of strategies to move into the cloud. These can range from rehosting (also known as lift-and-shift) existing apps straight to the cloud to rebuilding apps so that they work better in the cloud. In some cases, apps might need to be replaced entirely.
Approach cloud modernization in manageable chunks.
There’s no need to migrate or modernize everything at once. In fact, a thoughtful phased approach is often best. Take your time. For instance, you can start small. Start with your own IT or development teams, who are more tolerant of a minimum viable product. After you’ve achieved success, you can roll those changes out to the larger organization.
Top 10 cloud migration considerations
- Cloud migration is an opportunity to reduce technical debt; sometimes it may seem cheaper to lift-and-shift an application but there may be ramifications long-term.
- Developing a business case for cloud migration and then revisiting it later on is vital to ongoing success.
- Organizational change management is a critical element of your cloud migration strategy
- Approval processes must fit the pace of cloud innovation; traditional project management approval cycles may slow the pace of your migration.
- Don’t forget about data migration. After all, you can’t move apps without moving data.
- Highly-complex apps may require an initial lift-and- shift; a portfolio exercise can help determine when this is the case.
- Cloud-smart has replaced cloud-first. Not everything belongs in the public cloud, at least initially.
- Workload portability requires a balance of cloud native and cloud agnostic.
- Incremental wins sustain stakeholder commitment. Don’t be afraid to take it slow.
- Cloud cost optimization toolsets can help track costs and lead to better rightsizing of solutions.
Read the blog: Simplify Your Cloud Migration & Modernization with a Trusted Microsoft Solutions Partner
Frequently Asked Questions
How does IFI Techsolutions use the Azure Cloud Adoption Framework?
You should look at this framework like a basic instruction manual for your cloud journey. Our team at IFI Techsolutions uses these exact Microsoft guidelines to build your tech strategy. We will sit down with your managers and IT staff to figure out what your business actually needs. Doing this properly means you avoid messy setups and secure a long-term win.
What is the best way to start a cloud migration?
Trying to move every single file on day one could end in total disaster. We always tell clients to take baby steps instead. You should start with a very small, basic project for your developers to test out. Once your staff gets that first easy win under their belt, rolling the rest of your systems over will feel way less stressful.
Will all of our apps use the same migration strategy?
No, they definitely will not. Every program behaves differently. A good plan means you should look at each app individually. You could just copy and paste some of your basic tools straight into the new environment. But older, heavier software will probably need a total rewrite so it doesn’t crash the new system.
Why is being "cloud-smart" better than "cloud-first"?
Pushing every single thing to the public cloud right away could be a huge mistake. Being cloud-smart means you actually stop and think first. You should only move the workloads that genuinely benefit from being online. If you just blind-copy your current mess into Azure, you will drag your old tech problems into a brand new space.
How do we stop our cloud costs from exploding?
Cloud bills could get out of hand if nobody watches them. You absolutely should use strict tracking tools to monitor your daily spend. Working with the crew at IFI Techsolutions means we build a very clear budget for you on day one. We will constantly check your servers to make sure you aren’t paying for empty space you do not use.
