Understanding Cloud Migration
Cloud migration is the process of moving digital assets—data, applications, and IT processes—from on-premise infrastructure to cloud environments. This guide provides a proven framework for planning and executing successful migrations.
The 6 Rs of Cloud Migration
Every workload falls into one of six migration strategies: Rehost (lift-and-shift), Replatform (lift-and-reshape), Repurchase (move to SaaS), Refactor (re-architect), Retire (decommission), or Retain (keep on-premise). Understanding which strategy applies to each workload is critical for success.
Assessment Phase
Before migrating, conduct thorough discovery of your current environment. Document all applications, dependencies, data flows, and integration points. Identify which workloads are cloud-ready and which require modification.
Planning and Design
Create a detailed migration plan including timeline, resource requirements, risk mitigation strategies, and success metrics. Design your target cloud architecture considering security, compliance, performance, and cost optimization.
Execution and Validation
Execute migrations in phases, starting with less critical workloads to build expertise. Validate each migration against defined success criteria before proceeding to the next phase.