Are You Ready to Migrate to The Cloud?
Even if you don’t use it, you would have heard of the Cloud. Most people encounter it when setting up a new mobile phone or saving documents and photos on a computer. If you haven’t already used it, are you ready to migrate to the cloud? Firstly, let’s explore what it actually is and how you can utilise it for your business.
What is the cloud and what is it used for?
When something is saved and stored in the cloud, it’s stored securely and quickly on an internet server. It’s placed here instead of your phone or computer hard drive. In doing so, you can access anything from anywhere on any device.
Cloud computing is the process of storing all your computing services, such as your database, systems, and applications, onto the cloud. This is instead of using inhouse servers because it reduces costs, protects your data, and keeps it secure.
While moving computing systems to the cloud has lots of benefits. However, the biggest issue companies face is the process of migration. While moving all data from in-house servers to a remote storage facility, there is the risk of losing data along the way. Because of the risk involved, expert help is highly recommended! With effective planning and the use of an expert to develop a strong strategy, relocating to the cloud can benefit your business immensely.
What is a cloud migration strategy?
A cloud migration strategy is a detailed plan of what data and applications you want moved, and what takes priority. You also need to decide on a timeframe of when you wish to make this transfer. In doing all of this, it will make the transfer quicker, smoother and with less disruption. A trusted IT support partner, like ourselves, will be able to help you decide on when is the best time to transfer to the cloud.
how-to know if cloud migration is for your company
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1. Reduced costs
Every business love to hear a reduction in costs. This will be due to no longer needing in-house servers to store everything on and keep maintained. There is also no hardware to buy as the cloud is usually subscription based.
2. Better scalability
If your business was to suddenly increase in growth, your entire computing infrastructure would need to be changed with in house servers. Cloud-based computing can automatically be scaled to meet the new demand, as and when you need to.
3. Less downtime
Regular maintenance and updates can be done remotely. Thus, meaning less system down time and any issues are corrected quickly.
4. Increased security
You want to keep your business data safe and secure. Moving all your data to an internet server may feel a little unnerving. Be rest assured though, cloud computing offers increased security compared to in house servers. Additional measures in place also means you receive maximum security. Thus, ensuring your data is highly protected.
5. Environmentally
conscious
We are all aware of how we need to reduce our carbon footprint for the sake of the planet. However, some of us just don’t know how. Moving to cloud computing will actually reduce your carbon footprint! That’s because running in house services means you need energy running 24/7, compared to cloud servers that only run when you need it.
6. Improved disaster recovery
Sometimes things don’t always go to plan. An IT expert in your business should already have a recovery plan in place. However, moving to the cloud ensures the back-up and recovery solutions are cost effective less time consuming.
1. Downtime
Moving your data and services to the cloud may take your servers down for a time. While this is to be expected, it will obviously have an impact on your business for that downtime. If the data is not correctly backed-up, it may affect your applications. Therefore, it is recommended to be undertaken by an expert.
2. Data loss
Once data is passed to the cloud, it is safe and secure. However, it needs to get there first. Extreme care and diligence must be taken to avoid lost data, or a breach.
3. Communication
Some of your older existing applications may struggle to communicate with newer cloud services. This means you may have to adapt some of your processes to fit in with your new cloud provider.
Are you ready to migrate to the cloud?
Have you weighed up the benefits and complications and made the decision to switch? First things first, you need to create the cloud migration strategy we talked about.
Once you have all the details, its then easier to decide what level of cloud integration you will need. You may only need a shallow integration where your applications and systems are simply moved across to the cloud. Alternatively, you may decide to opt for a deep cloud integration where you modify your applications at the same time as moving across.
What else should you consider?
Do you need a single or multi cloud solution? A single cloud provider makes the migration simpler as there is only one set of API’s (Application Programming Interfaces) to learn. However, a multi-cloud solution means you can have multiple benefits from several cloud providers.
If neither of those options appeal to you, you can choose to become cloud agnostic. In doing so, your applications are built to run by any provider.
It’s time to migrate and make a positive change for your business!
Using your migration strategy, will you be switching your entire system to the cloud version straight away? Or is it more beneficial to your business to take baby steps and do a little at a time? There is no right or wrong answer to this, it is purely which is better for your business. Whichever your preference, detailing a time scale can ensure that all parts are done on time
How will you know if you made the right decision?
Simply put, key performance indicators. This way, you can visibly see how well your new cloud system is working. It also highlights any future problems heading your way, just in time to act on it.
People always have an opinion on something. So, involve your staff in asking for how they have found the new systems, any issues they have found and what they feel is better. It may take time for staff to get used to any new system and iron out any initial issues so wait a period before asking for valued opinions.
For more information on How You Can Migrate to The Cloud download our comprehensible PDF full of even more information and tips for you to follow
Would you like to talk this through with one of our cloud migration experts?
CALL: 0141 255 1617 | EMAIL: hello@acu-it.co.uk
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