Plan a cloud migration by assessing what you run today, choosing a migration approach for each application (move as-is, adjust, or rebuild), migrating in stages starting with lower-risk systems, testing thoroughly before each cut-over, and optimising cost and performance once running in the cloud.
1. Assess what you have
- Applications, databases and their dependencies
- Performance, security and compliance requirements
- Current costs and pain points
- Which systems are business-critical
2. Choose an approach for each application
- Rehost: move the application largely as it is, the fastest route
- Replatform: make modest changes to use managed cloud services
- Refactor or rebuild: redesign for the cloud where it brings clear benefits
- Retire or replace: switch off what's no longer needed or replace it with an existing service
3. Plan the order
Start with lower-risk systems to build experience, then move critical systems with detailed plans. Account for dependencies so connected systems move together or stay connected during the transition.
4. Test and cut over
- Migrate data and test functionality, performance and security.
- Plan the cut-over window and a rollback option.
- Switch over, monitor closely and keep the old environment available until stable.
5. Optimise after migration
- Right-size resources to actual usage
- Set up monitoring, backups and alerts
- Review costs regularly
Want help putting this into practice? Explore our Technology Modernization services or see related work in our PixaShield case study.
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