Cloud migration has become a dominant trend in the business world. From startups to enterprise-level corporations, organisations are increasingly recognising the benefits of migrating their operations to the cloud. However, while the promise of scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency is enticing, the journey to the cloud is full of challenges. In this blog post, we will explore some common difficulties faced during cloud migration and crucial factors to consider for a successful transition.
Channel Pro Network states that 62% of initial migration projects prove to be more challenging than anticipated or fail entirely.
1. Insufficient preparation
One of the fundamental challenges encountered by businesses embarking on a cloud migration journey is a lack of preparation. Before migrating to the cloud, it is essential to assess the current state of your infrastructure, applications, and data systems. Without a comprehensive understanding of your existing environment, it becomes difficult to develop an effective migration strategy.
Insufficient planning and execution during cloud migration posed challenges for 33% of organisations.
-Statista, 2023
The lack of preparation may become evident in various aspects:
Inadequate assessment: Failure to conduct a thorough evaluation of existing systems can lead to incomplete migrations, unexpected complications, and increased downtime.
What to do? Use automated assessment tools, engage with experienced consultants, and ensure thorough documentation of current systems and workflows.
Legacy systems: Organisations relying on outdated legacy systems may face compatibility issues when migrating to modern cloud platforms.
What to do? Implement a phased migration approach, modernise legacy applications where feasible, and adopt migration tools specifically designed for legacy system integration.
Data security concerns: Inadequate data security measures can pose significant risks during migration, including data breaches and compliance violations.
What to do? Embrace robust security measures like encryption and access controls. If you are not confident that you can do this on your own, partner with a cybersecurity expert.
2. Lack of personnel and skills
Another significant challenge in cloud migration is the shortage of skilled personnel capable of managing complex migration projects. Cloud technology is continuously evolving, requiring expertise in various areas such as architecture design, security, and compliance. Many organisations lack the internal resources and expertise necessary to execute a successful migration.
Insufficient expertise and personnel present a significant challenge for 29% of organisations.
-Unisys, 2019
This skills gap manifests in various ways:
Talent shortage: The demand for cloud professionals exceeds the available supply, making it challenging for organisations to recruit qualified personnel.
What to do? Consider partnering with consultancy companies, specialised recruitment agencies and investing in talent development programs.
Training needs: Existing IT teams may require additional training and upskilling to effectively manage cloud environments and technologies.
What to do? Collaborate with training providers and encourage employees to pursue cloud computing certifications.
3. Cost Management
Cost management is a critical aspect of any cloud migration project, as unexpected expenses can significantly impact the success and viability of the project.
The main challenges are:
Cost overruns: Cloud migration projects often exceed budgetary estimates due to factors such as unexpected technical challenges, data transfer costs, and underestimated resource usage.
What to do? Consider implementing tactics such as monitoring usage patterns, optimising resource allocation, and leveraging cost-saving options.
Licensing complexity: Managing software licensing agreements and compliance requirements in the cloud can be complex, particularly for organisations with diverse application portfolios.
What to do? Understand licensing models, tracking usage, and ensure compliance with vendor terms and conditions.
Overcoming the challenges – Where to start?
Cloud migration presents numerous challenges, however, with the right tools and strategies in place, organisations can navigate these challenges successfully.
AppScan offers a comprehensive solution for assessing the application landscape, allowing you to recognize usage patterns and optimise licenses.
Our tailor-made reports will enable you to identify underutilized applications or software with similar functionality, aiding in informed decision-making about what to migrate and what to exclude. This not only aids you in making a comprehensive assessment of the state of your application landscape, but also in simplifying the process and reducing the costs.
And if you need some help with the migration itself, our migration assist team is ready to advise and help you make a success out of your migration.
This article was brought to you by:
Mark Aarden
AppLabs Manager
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