The cloud network is the new in-thing. It is a network of remote servers that are accessed over the internet to store, manage, and process data. The cloud is quickly becoming the go-to choice for innovative SaaS businesses because it offers many benefits.
If you’re still on-premise while using outdated technology, you may be feeling the pressure to finally switch over to the cloud. As you know, the cloud is a powerful tool that can help your SaaS business grow and succeed while also reducing costs and protecting your vital data.
But on-premise to cloud migration can be difficult, especially with so many options and considerations, it can be tough to decide which route to take.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to choose the right on-premise to cloud migration method for your SaaS business.
What Is On-Premise To Cloud Migration?
On-premise to cloud migration is the process of moving data, applications, and other business assets from an on-premise environment or infrastructure to the cloud. The cloud entails a network of remote servers that are accessed over the internet. Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources.
While on-premise infrastructure is a physical server and software that is managed and operated within your organization’s walls, cloud infrastructure is owned and operated by a cloud provider, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft Azure.
On-premise to cloud migration can be likened to moving from your server to renting space on someone else’s server. When you move to the cloud, you no longer need to worry about the upkeep and maintenance of your hardware. That’s the cloud provider’s job. Instead, you can focus on your business goals and leave the infrastructure management to the experts.
While it does have this benefit, you should know that migrating to the cloud requires careful planning and consideration. Not all data and applications are suitable for migration, and some may require re-architecture to work in the cloud.
Why You Should Migrate To The Cloud
The cloud has many benefits that make it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. There are a few benefits that justify why businesses flock to the cloud. These benefits are:
Expand Computer Processing, Memory, and Storage Resources
The cloud provides virtually unlimited computer processing, memory, and storage resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This is in contrast to on-premise resources, which are often limited by the capacity of physical hardware.
Plus with autoscaling, you only pay for the resources you use. Autoscaling is a cloud computing feature that enables organizations to scale their cloud resources up or down automatically based on pre-set conditions. So, if you have a website that only gets a few hundred visitors a day, you won’t need to pay for the resources to accommodate a million visitors. You can scale up when you need to, and then back down when you don’t, which can save you a lot of money.
Reliability and Fault Tolerance
The cloud is designed to be reliable and fault-tolerant. Cloud providers offer guarantees for availability and service levels. They also invest heavily in security to protect customer data. For example, AWS has achieved ISO 27001 certification, which is the international standard for information security management. What’s more, if one server is down, cloud resources can be quickly provisioned from other servers in the provider’s network.
It’s Accessible To Every Person In Every Office Around The World
The cloud is available anytime, anywhere, and from any device with an internet connection. This means that your employees can access the data and applications they need from anywhere in the world, at any time. They can also use any device they want, whether it’s a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This flexibility can be a game-changer for businesses that have employees who work remotely or travel often.
How To Choose The Right Migration Method
Now that you know why migrating from on-prem to the cloud can be beneficial for your business, it’s time to learn how to choose the right migration method. This is important because not all data and applications are suitable for migration, and some may require re-architecture to work in the cloud.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a migration method:
Set Goals
Before you start your migration, it’s important to set goals. What are you trying to accomplish with your migration? Are you trying to reduce costs, improve performance, or increase agility? Once you know your goals, you can start to evaluate different migration methods. We also recommend that you track your KPIs before and after the migration. For example, if you’re trying to improve performance, track your website’s load time before and after the migration. This will help you gauge the success of your migration.
Evaluate Cloud Providers’ Prices
Not all cloud providers are created equal. They all have different features, prices, and plans. So, it’s important to evaluate the prices of different providers before you make a decision. We recommend using a pricing calculator to compare the costs of different providers. This will help you determine which provider is the most cost-effective for your needs. You can use the AWS Pricing Calculator, Azure Pricing Calculator, or Google Cloud Pricing Calculator.
We also recommend that you read the fine print carefully. Some providers may have hidden fees or surcharges that can add up. Make sure you understand all the costs involved before you sign up for a plan.
Ensure that you set your budget limits, a rogue script or infinite looping query can quickly run up a tab. Cloud providers such as AWS can send you a massive bill if you’re not careful.
To help you save additional money, we recommend liquidating your data center equipment such as selling your servers.
Define Production Switchover Mechanisms
Once you’ve chosen a provider and a migration method, you need to define how you’re going to switch over to the new system. This is important because you don’t want your SaaS business to be interrupted during the migration.
There are two main ways to switch over to a new system:
- Switch from the old system to the new system all at once. This can be disruptive to your business, so we only recommend this method if you have a small amount of data to migrate, or if your application can be down for a short period.
- Switch to the new system in phases or modules. This is a less disruptive option, and we recommend it for most businesses.
Re-Architecture Your Application
In some cases, you may need to re-architect your application to work in the cloud. This is because the cloud is a different environment than on-prem, and some applications may not be able to run in the cloud without modification.
If you’re not sure whether your application needs to be re-architected, we recommend working with a company that offers expert cloud migration services. They can assess your application and make recommendations on how to migrate it to the cloud.
However, here is a step-by-step guide on how to re-architect your application for the cloud:
1. Run your data through a virtual machine server.
2. Use containerization to package your application using a docker/
3. Modularize your code so you keep parts on-premise and other parts in the cloud.
4. Refactor your code.
Cloud Migration Strategies
Now that you know how to choose the right migration method, it’s time to learn about different cloud migration strategies. The most common cloud migration strategies are full migration, partial migration, and parallel-optimized migration.
Full Migration
Full migration is when you move all your data and applications from on-prem to the cloud. With this migration strategy, you can create terminals so your employees can access the cloud from anywhere in the world.
Full migration is a good option if you’re a SaaS business that wants a minimize risks and the use of resources while having the process completed in a few days. The downside is that you and your team can not fully utilize the cloud service.
Partial Migration
Partial migration is a hybrid strategy when you only move some of your data and applications to the cloud. Therefore, some of the services remain in the physical unit (on-prem). This is a good strategy for SaaS businesses that want to keep certain data on-prem for security reasons.
The advantage of partial migration is that it’s less disruptive to your business and you can still use the cloud for some tasks. The downside is that you have to maintain both on-prem and cloud infrastructure, which can be costly. A roadmap is the key to achieving a successful partial migration without disrupting business operations.
Parallel-Optimized Migration
Parallel-optimized migration is a strategy where there is a simultaneous transformation of your on-premise structure. Usually chosen for email migration, this method is non-disruptive compared to full or partial migration.
Migrate With Ease With Expert Data Decommissioning & Liquidation Services
Migrating to the cloud doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right planning and execution, you can migrate your on-premise data center to the cloud with minimal disruption to your business.
Looking for a data center decommissioning and liquidation service with zero downtime? Contact us today. We offer comprehensive solutions that include completely managed logistics, careful handling of your equipment, and a detailed project plan to ensure a successful transition while getting returns on your assets!
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