Migrating to the cloud: A look at the risks and rewards

The existence of the cloud has transformed the way businesses and individuals store their data. It provides secure, cost-effective solutions that allow all users to store their data remotely with the ability to access it from anywhere. Therefore, increasing the flexibility of accessing such data within teams and in most cases, resulting in greater collaboration and productivity. 

The cloud has also created the use of cloud-based backups; allowing businesses to quickly and easily restore data in the event of a crisis – providing them with security and peace of mind that their information is safe. 

Although the cloud has many benefits and is an excellent tool, transitioning to it can be a challenge – especially for larger businesses with vast amounts of data. This blog will discuss the difficulties of migrating to the cloud and how to make the shift more manageable. 

The reality of transitioning to the cloud  

Cloud migration can be a difficult process that may involve losing access to your data for an extended period of time, or even permanently depending on how you choose to migrate. Some businesses also need more control over their data than what is provided by a lot of cloud providers.

Four of the most common issues organisations face when transitioning to the cloud are:

1. Compatibility issues – Not all applications easily transfer over to a new environment, so businesses may find they need to upgrade or change the set-up of certain systems in order for them to run smoothly. 

2. Networking issues – Organisations need to ensure that all of their systems can function well together; if they don’t, it can cause issues when trying to get them to communicate/integrate data.

3. Security measures – It is likely that if one part of the cloud is down, it can affect all other areas. As previously mentioned, cloud-based backups can be essential to companies operating on the cloud and it is important to have them regularly set to back up in order to mitigate issues if an outage occurs.

4. Cost – While some companies find that cloud services are cheaper than traditional methods of hosting, others find that they’re more expensive depending on their needs.

Taking a planned approach 

Shifting to the cloud can be a difficult and challenging endeavour, but with the right planning, it can be made much more manageable. 

Firstly, businesses must look at their migration needs – what servers and support do they require? This will help them determine which cloud provider to select as not all suppliers are created equal.

Secondly, they should highlight and understand the potential issues of transitioning (those outlined above). The organisation can then create a plan to help optimise the move; ensuring it is successful and no data is lost in the process. 

Lastly, and most importantly, businesses should choose an effective migration path which incorporates security, compliance and performance – all of these aspects are vital to ensure a smooth transition. A well-planned transition can mean the difference between the headache of lost data and a seamless transformation. 

Cloudhouse Alchemy allows you to seamlessly move your business applications, data and infrastructure to the cloud. Our experts help businesses plan their migration path so they can benefit from the many advantages of moving to the cloud as soon as possible.

To find out how Cloudhouse can help you, get in touch today.