If your software is installed on computers at your office, there are several reasons to consider migrating to the cloud. Moving to the cloud with the right migration strategy will help your business get to that next level in software and innovation while making the process as smooth as possible. So, what is cloud migration?

What is Cloud Migration?

Cloud migration involves moving your business technology onto a hosted platform -- in the cloud -- away from on-site at your business location. Moving to the cloud can involve everything from servers to phone systems, and can include your business software. When you migrate your business applications to the cloud, it involves setting up hosting servers, the full software stack that supports your applications, as well as the applications themselves.

Why Migrate Your Applications To The Cloud?

Migrating your applications to the cloud offers several benefits, including the following:

• Scalability: Cloud-based applications easily grow with your needs. It won’t slow down as you grow, and you won’t find large expenses waiting for you as you grow.
• Manage IT Costs: CFOs and CEOs like to manage cash flows. Moving to the cloud allows your business to manage those expenses by moving capital expenses to a monthly operational expense.
• Access: With your software accessible through the internet, everyone in your company and authorized outside users can access these resources anywhere, anytime.
• Security: When you host your software in the cloud, security becomes easier to manage. Often, the hosting platform has its own security measures in place, and that means an added security layer for your applications. Keeping your hardware and software updated and managing user access also become easier to manage in the cloud.
• Innovation: Cloud-based applications enable you to leverage new technologies and integrate with other applications. That allows your company to stay on top of innovation and ahead of your competition.
• Continuity: With your application in the cloud, you are better able to back up your data and create a disaster recovery plan for continuous operations in the case of a disaster or emergency. 
• Supportability: Moving to the cloud makes it possible to go to the latest technologies and programming frameworks, making it easier to support older applications.

Common Strategies For Migrating To The Cloud

The most common strategies for migrating your applications to the cloud are known as the 6 R’s of Migration (Cisco). The 6 R’s are:

1. Rehosting: This is referred to as “lift and shift,” which is the process of virtually forklifting your entire application -- hardware and all -- from your on-site setup to the new cloud hosting company.
2. Replatforming: Much like rehosting, this involves moving your entire hardware and software stack into the cloud. This strategy includes making some minor changes to the platform in order to make improvements.
3. Repurchasing: This is when you decide to purchase an “off-the-shelf,” hosted solution (SaaS) to replace your existing applications. This often involves some real growing pains in getting your team to relearn internal processes.
4. Refactoring: This strategy involves going with a new software solution and is the most common strategy for DHx clients, as they look to move their software and their business operations to that next level.
5. Retiring: Sometimes, old software simply needs to be retired permanently, with the needed functionality moved to other solutions.
6. Retaining: Retaining means staying with the status quo. Your business may not be ready to do a migration, so staying put may make more sense.

Choosing The Right Strategy

The first step in identifying the proper cloud migration strategy is assessing your current application needs and status. That begins with a simple conversation with us. If you’re thinking the time is coming to migrate your application to the cloud, schedule a short meeting with us to review your software needs. Use Calendly to find a time on the calendar.