Migrating to the cloud might seem like a tedious task but the costs of delaying the process will outweigh the time and effort spent on the process. African enterprises need to stay current with cloud services in order to remain competitive. To this, a business needs to work with the right partner.
The global pandemic has created a massive shift; businesses are moving to the cloud in order to facilitate remote working and round-the-clock access to servers. This virtualisation helps companies to become more flexible and productive. Here are four ways in which any company can migrate to the cloud:
1. Create a strategy
A clear and defined strategy will ensure that migration will be more manageable in terms of achievable deadlines and creating a seamless transition for employees. This is a vital step in the process, where business objectives must be prioritised rather than just implemented. Initially, the reason for cloud migration should be highlighted, where the business requirements are established.
Delegate the workload to ensure that a structured roll-out is developed. Either choose a phased approach or an all-out migration strategy. The baseline metrics of the on-site infrastructure need to be looked at, as it is one of the key performance indicators. This will contribute to the success of the cloud migration and reveal where the business can improve.
2. Identify the ideal applications and services
Certain applications are not compatible with the cloud. An assessment needs to be made of which apps and services need to be moved from on-site servers to the cloud, which apps need minor adjustments and which need re-coding to work more efficiently. Apps and programs need to be sorted into the best environments that will allow them to run smoothly.
The company also needs to decide whether these apps will be public or privately accessible. This will outline whether the resources can be shared or if the information is to remain secure. A hybrid strategy is also possible, which is a combination of both environments. Functionality, performance and security requirements will be reviewed at this stage.
3. Maintain business continuity
During cloud migration, a company must remain operational. The management of risks is vital when starting out, as this will ensure continuity. The aim is to decrease the time of the migration and move critical programs without the business being affected. This is done through careful planning and analysis of the company and the cloud migration process.
A reliable backup system must always be in place during the movement of data, to ensure that everything is kept intact. When extending on-premises apps to the network, keep regulatory compliance, security standards and potential software licensing issues in mind. This is where service providers can help companies by guiding them and assisting them in making informed decisions.
4. Choose the right cloud service provider
The final step to ensure successful cloud migration is to choose the most suitable cloud provider; one that will meet all the business requirements and objectives. The right partnership will create a seamless and stress-free transition. They need to be knowledgeable in cloud migration and help with the strategy set out by the business.
An experienced provider will manage the difficulties of cloud migration, where services are managed through a seamless transition and businesses can have time to focus on their own core offerings. Bear these four pointers in mind before embarking on your cloud migration journey.
___
Connect with the world and read about the latest news and current affairs. We share ways to stay abreast of the latest science and technology, as well as breaking news stories that you may need to know about.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more articles, videos and content to keep you inspired.
Mobimeme offers content marketing, SEO, analytics, social media management and expert direction in the digital sphere. Building and growing online audiences for your business is what we do best. Get in touch with us to find out more about our package offerings and how you can improve your website and following.