What is cloud migration? Explore benefits, services and more

Cloud migration, also called cloud server migration, is the process of moving some or all of your digital operations from traditional on-premises servers to a cloud server. It is the data architecture version of offices on the move. As with a physical move, attention to detail is vital. Leaving something behind or finding out that the new space isn’t ready halfway could be disastrous.

However, just like moving to a newer, larger, and better-equipped office space, migration to the cloud is eventually necessary for most growing businesses. If you are moving to a managed cloud server, why not? – it will be like moving into an office building where a building manager takes care of cleaning, maintenance and even utilities. As long as you keep up with the rent, all the little jobs get done miraculously when you’re not looking.

Of course, sometimes a cloud migration is simply moving from one cloud server to another or even from one cloud service provider to another. However, these types of movements tend to be calm. Compared to when you first move your on-premises data infrastructure to a modern cloud system, they’re a piece of cake.

Cloud migration services generally refer to all the assistance you need to modernize and load your self-hosted and legacy systems onto a cloud server.

Cloud migration services are important because few small and midsize businesses have the on-site expertise they need to perform a smooth cloud migration. Your data and the uses you put to it make up a big part of your business. You can’t afford to have it stop working for an indefinite period. A little borrowed experience can prevent disaster.

Common cloud migration services include:

Rehosting – Typically offered by infrastructure as a service (IaaS) providers, rehosting recreates your exact hosting configuration on an external cloud server. Refactoring: Most commonly offered by platform-as-a-service (PaaS) providers, refactoring reuses much of your current framework and code, but modifies it as needed to run on your provided platform. Patching – Also known as patching, patching means expanding and at least partially rewriting your code base before refactoring or relocating as described above. Rebuild: In this sense, rebuilding means renewing your data architecture and rewriting all of your code to optimize it for a PaaS provider’s platform. This can be labor intensive and expensive, but it can revolutionize the way your systems work. Replacement – ​​Depending on the state, age, and actual effectiveness of your legacy data infrastructure, it may be time to scrap it and replace everything in favor of applications offered by third-party vendors for deployment in a Software-as-a-Service. (SaaS) solution.

Most of these processes don’t require any special cloud migration infrastructure, but sometimes very unique legacy systems need special migration solutions. If that’s the case, Liquid Web will be happy to help you.

Companies don’t look to cloud migration services as a creative way to spend money. Obviously, the project is designed to deliver real, measurable benefits that comprise a strong business case. The exact benefits depend on your current system and how you use it, but most companies planning a cloud migration can expect benefits like these:

Since the new server will usually outperform your on-site servers, everything should run faster and more reliably. Moving your servers to the cloud can even reduce latency for your users, driving an even better user experience.

Your internal and/or external users should be able to access your cloud-hosted services from any Internet connection anywhere in the world. You can reach new customers and your field teams will have full access to company services securely.

Cloud-hosted operations typically have a lower bottom line than internally-hosted ones, even with all those performance upgrades. In today’s financial environment, you should have no problem spending that extra money.

In most cases, a cloud-hosted system can support more users and higher bandwidths than legacy on-premises servers. Since scalability is often a matter of clicking a button and paying a slightly higher monthly bill (versus physically buying and installing a whole new server infrastructure), adapting to sudden changes in demand is no longer a problem. problem.

Need to know all about cloud migration infrastructure and coding details for your new cloud-based server before you get started? No. In fact, we could take care of almost all the essential details for you. But you will need a plan. That plan should generally include concerns such as:

Clear project goals: What kind of performance will you expect from the new system? When will it be tested? When will it go live? Your security strategy: You’ll need to know the ins and outs of cloud and web application firewalls. You will also need to know how to implement proper security on your end of the system. The data copy and update plan: You need to make sure that the cloud database is up to the second when it changes. After that, it’s a matter of keeping proper backups. Updating your BI processes: In a perfect world, this would simply mean pointing your analytics to the new database address. You’ll actually need to make sure that everything still works. The party after the ‘going live’. You will have taken a big step. You should celebrate.

It won’t always be that simple, of course. Timing can be one of the most challenging aspects of migration.

Sooner or later, most companies will move their internally hosted data to the cloud. However, most of those who choose to wait will wish they had taken the plunge years earlier. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as you fear, either. Contact Liquid Web, and one of the most helpful humans in Hosting® will be happy to answer your questions.