Cloud computing has evolved from a competitive differentiator to a digital necessity. As businesses seek greater agility, scalability, and innovation, the decision to migrate to the cloud is becoming a standard part of IT strategy. But moving to the cloud isn’t just about switching servers — it’s a complex transformation that touches every layer of your organisation.
This guide explores what cloud migration entails, why it matters, and how to do it right.
What Does It Mean to Migrate to the Cloud?
Cloud migration is the process of moving digital assets — including data, workloads, applications, and IT resources — from on-premises infrastructure or legacy systems to a cloud environment (public, private, hybrid, or multicloud).
This shift can include:
- Migrating applications from physical servers to cloud-hosted platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Moving databases to cloud-native data warehouses or storage
- Replacing on-premise software with SaaS (e.g., from a self-hosted CRM to Salesforce)
- Adopting microservices and containerisation
Why Migrate to the Cloud?
Organisations migrate to the cloud for a variety of strategic and operational reasons, including:
✅ Scalability
Instant access to scalable computing power, enabling rapid growth or handling peak loads without overprovisioning.
✅ Cost Optimisation
Pay-as-you-go pricing eliminates upfront capital costs and enables better resource utilisation.
✅ Business Agility
Accelerate time-to-market for new services and gain flexibility to respond to change faster.
✅ Remote Access and Collaboration
Cloud-based tools allow teams to collaborate from anywhere with real-time access to shared data.
✅ Innovation Enablement
Access to cutting-edge technologies such as AI, ML, IoT, and advanced analytics.
✅ Improved Security and Compliance
Cloud providers offer built-in security controls, encryption, and certifications to support industry compliance.
Types of Cloud Migration Strategies
Cloud migration is not one-size-fits-all. Your strategy depends on your goals, timeline, budget, and technical debt. The most common strategies include:
1. Rehosting (Lift-and-Shift)
Move existing applications to the cloud without modifying code. Fastest method, minimal changes.
2. Replatforming
Make a few optimisations to applications (e.g., using managed databases) without full redesign.
3. Refactoring / Re-architecting
Redesign applications to fully leverage cloud-native features, such as microservices, serverless, or containers.
4. Repurchasing
Replace legacy systems with cloud-based SaaS solutions.
5. Retiring
Decommission obsolete or unused applications during the migration process.
6. Retaining
Keep certain workloads on-premises when migration is not yet feasible.
Challenges of Cloud Migration
Despite its advantages, cloud migration presents several challenges:
- Data security and compliance risks
- Downtime and business disruption during migration
- Application dependencies and complexity
- Legacy systems that aren’t cloud-compatible
- Lack of in-house cloud expertise
- Unexpected costs from poor planning
A Step-by-Step Approach to Cloud Migration
1. Assess Your Environment
Identify all assets, dependencies, and business-critical applications. Conduct a Cloud Readiness Assessment.
2. Define a Cloud Strategy
Choose a cloud model (public, private, hybrid) and set clear goals — cost savings, scalability, innovation, etc.
3. Plan the Migration
Create a detailed roadmap, prioritising workloads, estimating costs, defining KPIs, and assigning responsibilities.
4. Execute in Phases
Start with non-critical systems and scale incrementally. Use automation tools and cloud migration services to minimise downtime.
5. Test and Optimise
Validate performance, security, and data integrity. Adjust resources for efficiency.
6. Train Teams and Monitor Continuously
Ensure your IT and business teams are equipped to manage the new environment. Use monitoring tools for visibility and control.
When Should You Migrate?
You should consider cloud migration if:
- You’re experiencing high infrastructure maintenance costs
- Your applications can’t scale with demand
- Your development and deployment cycles are too slow
- You want to adopt modern tools like AI/ML, analytics, or DevOps
- You’re undergoing digital transformation or M&A activities
Conclusion
Migrating to the cloud is more than a technology upgrade — it’s a business evolution. With a well-defined strategy, the right tools, and cross-functional collaboration, your organisation can unlock the full potential of the cloud: agility, innovation, resilience, and growth.
The journey to the cloud starts with a question: not just how do we migrate — but why, when, and what’s next.