If you are like most businesses, you might have already heard of the impact of Cloud technology in one form or another. For instance, an accounting firm can switch from a local-hosted IT environment to a cloud-backed alternative for business applications like QuickBooks, Lacerte, etc. At the core of this transition lies cloud migration. 

If you have plans to make the required transition to the cloud, you must understand the fundamentals of cloud migration. So let us help you dive deeper into this concept.

What is Cloud Migration?

Cloud migration refers to how an organization’s applications, data, and other workloads are relocated to the cloud environment. This relocation may occur from a local-hosted to a cloud-hosted setup or from one cloud infrastructure to another. Depending on the organizational needs, one may migrate all the computing assets to cloud servers or keep certain apps and data files on the premises.

On the other side, cloud migration may also involve one or more types of cloud infrastructure, including:

• Public cloud in which the public Internet becomes the medium to deliver cloud services
• Private cloud that consists of a secure infrastructure accessible only to one organization
• Hybrid cloud that includes public and private infrastructure

Benefits of Cloud Migration 

Given below are some of the primary benefits of migrating data and applications to the cloud:

• Cost savings
  

Local-hosted IT infrastructure requires upfront investments that you cannot go without. On the other hand, cloud migration allows you to pay only for the capacity or resources you use. Therefore, there is no need to make a significant initial investment when you can subscribe to suitable cloud hosting plans.

• Easy scalability

In a local IT environment, scalability implies buying more hardware, software, and other technical components to accommodate the growing data and workload. Cloud, however, removes various physical constraints that otherwise inhibit scalability. In addition, it reduces financial limitations and makes you switch to an upgraded computing environment easily. Again, you only need to pay for the scaled version and can downgrade it as per business needs.

• Data security
  

Typical cloud infrastructure has many data and network security mechanisms, best practices, and access policies to prevent unauthorized intrusion. This makes cloud migration an attractive, secure alternative to continuing to work in a local-hosted environment. Besides this, the cloud provider also ensures that their offerings comply with applicable regulations and industry standards.

• Faster technological advancements
  

Migrating applications and data to the cloud enable an organization to benefit from new-age technologies faster. It also helps adopt affordable, just-in-time technologies to leverage trending business opportunities maximally.

Like any other technological process, cloud migration does have its share of challenges. 

Challenges Related to Cloud Migration

• Lack of the right strategy
  

Many small and big companies begin the cloud migration process without the required strategy. The truth is that successful cloud adoption requires efficient planning for end-to-end migration, considering distinct requirements for different data sets and applications. 

• Cost management
  

The result of cloud migration needs to be tested and analyzed based on clear KPIs. However, many organizations fail to set such KPIs in place and hence, fail to assess their effectiveness. Also, the dynamic nature of cloud environments may lead to higher costs as the number of applications, authorized users, and required computing resources increase.

• Industry compliance and security
  

Compliance and data security are significant bottlenecks related to cloud migration. It is because of the shared responsibility model that exists between cloud providers and end-users. On the one hand, cloud solution providers are responsible for securing data and infrastructure. On the other hand, cloud users need to monitor the data and workload security. Any failure on either end can lead to significant complications.

• Cloud vendor selection
  

Finding an experienced cloud provider is essential for seamless cloud migration. However, amidst the availability of multiple service providers and rising cloud adoption, selecting the right one has become even more challenging. Choosing a cloud provider and switching to a better one because of issues in the service quality will only complicate things.

Benefit from Uninterrupted Cloud Migration with Verito

You can adopt cloud-based systems and processes seamlessly, provided you have the right solution provider. Switch to Verito Technologies for their all-inclusive cloud solutions and assistance with cloud migration.

To discuss your business-specific requirements, click here. 

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