Undergoing a complete cloud migration is, at once, an essential and incredibly involved task (both in terms of time and money). There are many cloud migration challenges that can arise during the process, and if you don’t know what they are AND how to mitigate them, you could wind up with a failed or incomplete cloud migration process.
For businesses that fail to have a successful cloud migration on the first attempt, (which current data tells us is over 80% ), they could be looking at not only wasted efforts but significant financial losses as well.
That’s why, in this blog post, we will discuss the 10 most common cloud migration challenges and solutions. We will also provide actionable insights on how to overcome these challenges. If you’re planning on migrating to the cloud, you NEED to read this post and familiarize yourself with the top 10 cloud migration challenges for 2023 and beyond.
What Exactly is a Cloud Migration?
Before we dive into the common challenges of cloud migration and solutions, it’s important to define what cloud migration is.
In essence, cloud migration is the process of moving applications, data, and other related components from an on-premises environment to a public cloud or private cloud infrastructure .
It could also be defined as the process of transitioning from traditional IT systems to newer methods of deploying services and applications over the internet instead of through manual hardware setups in one location.
What Are the Different Types of Cloud Platforms for Hosting
When it comes to cloud migrations, there are a variety of different types of cloud platforms that businesses can choose from.
While each platform offers its own distinct pros and cons, the most commonly run-across data center hosting services are:
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- IBM Cloud
- Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
- and Salesforce
Whichever cloud solution you choose, make sure you do thorough research into their capabilities, services, security and limitations to ensure it will be a good long-term fit for your business.
The 10 Main Cloud Migration Challenges Businesses are Likely to Face in 2023 (and How to Mitigate Them Effectively)
With cloud migrations becoming increasingly pervasive, business owners need to be aware of the most common challenges they may face. Here are our top 10 issues that could potentially derail your transition and how you can avoid them:
1. Data Security
Cloud security is a major concern for businesses that are looking to migrate their data and applications to the cloud, as any vulnerabilities could lead to a data breach or other malicious activity.
The best way to ensure your data remains secure during the cloud adoption process is to use encryption technology and authentication protocols such as two-factor authentication as essential components of your cloud migration strategy.
2. Application Compatibility
Another challenge related to moving to the cloud is making sure that applications will be compatible with the new infrastructure.
This can be a complex process and often requires extensive testing before going live on the cloud service platform of your choice.
3. Network Connectivity
If you’re planning on migrating large amounts of data, then network connectivity should also be considered when selecting a cloud hosting provider.
You’ll want to make sure that their network is reliable and capable of transferring large amounts of data without interruption or latency issues, otherwise you’re likely to experience poor performance, service interruptions and an overall hampering of your critical business objectives .
4. Cost
Moving to the cloud can be an expensive endeavor, with business costs varying depending on their size and complexity.
To ensure you’re making a wise long-term investment of your resources, it’s essential that your migration plan includes research into potential providers in order to find one offering competitive pricing options.
5. Regulatory Compliance
Any business that works with customer or vendor data must always be mindful of the rules and regulations governing their storage, security, and sharing – such as GDPR .
That’s why it is essential to research any cloud environments before migrating your information over; you need to make sure they meet all regulatory requirements for compliance first.
6. Data Migration
Moving data can be a slow and meticulous process; to prevent delays or problems, it’s wise to plan carefully with the end goal in mind.
Anticipate any potential issues that might arise due to the size or complexity of your data sets – this will ensure you have plenty of time for migrating without surprises down the line.
7. Vendor Lock-in
One potential issue with cloud migrations is vendor lock-in – meaning that if you choose one particular vendor for your cloud-based services, it may be difficult or costly to switch later down the road if needed.
To avoid this problem, make sure to research multiple vendors before choosing one for your migration project.
8. Automation & Scalability
Cloud computing migrations require automation in order to ensure that applications scale seamlessly and in line with changing needs.
It’s important to check that the cloud provider you choose offers automation features that are adequate for your specific requirements.
9. Performance
Your cloud migration should also pay attention to performance, as this can have a direct impact on user experience.
Make sure to test the performance of applications on the new infrastructure before going live, so that any issues can be sorted out ahead of time.
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10. Capacity Planning
Last but not least is capacity planning – ensuring that there is enough storage and processing power available to meet the demands of your applications.
Again, it pays to do proper research into each cloud provider’s capacity offerings before committing to their services.
Mitigating Cloud Migration Challenges with an Expert MSP Like Fusion Computing on Your Side
Using a managed services provider like Fusion Computing to help with your cloud migration can make the process much simpler.
We have expertise in data security, application compatibility, network connectivity, cost optimization, and more. Our team of experienced engineers will work closely with you every step of the way to ensure that your applications are running smoothly on your chosen cloud platform and that all relevant regulatory standards are being met.
At Fusion Computing, we recognize that no two businesses are alike. Our tailored cloud migration solutions ensure every customer receives specialized and knowledgeable support.
Reach out to us for an individualized assessment of your business needs – our team is ready to get you started with a reliable pathway into the cloud!
