Can you migrate too fast? How to find your cloud migration pace

Simon Edward • 10 June 2024

How quickly should you migrate to the cloud? Get the answers you need in our accessible explainer article.

In the business world, time is of the essence. The tendency is to work hard and work fast.

But there's a difference between going fast and rushing – and when it comes to cloud migration, the distinction is critical.

It's easy to see why enterprises want the cloud migration process to be done and dusted in short order. Until the process is completed, your systems, data and software are in limbo. When the migration is underway, it can feel a bit like living out of boxes in your new home.

However, this doesn't mean that the migration process should be rushed. Why? Because a cloud migration involves so much more than simply dragging and dropping a huge quantity of files from one folder to another. Above all, the success or failure of a cloud migration hinges on one thing: planning.

In this article, we explore the importance of planning in executing a successful cloud migration – and show that it's worth taking that extra bit of time.

But first of all, what's wrong with migrating too fast?

Migrating at speed: what could go wrong?

Perhaps the biggest pitfall of migrating too quickly relates to security and compliance.

In 2024, the importance of security and compliance doesn't need to be hammered home. If you cut corners in these areas, you can put both data and your reputation at risk – and potentially face a fine.

But security and compliance aren't just critical to your day-to-day operations. They should also be cornerstones of your cloud migration strategy.

There's no reason why your internal team can't take care of this. But if there is a skills gap at play, it can be highly beneficial to get a cloud consultant on board. Aside from anything else, they'll be up to speed with the nuances of security and compliance in your industry.

In the world of cloud migration, slow and steady wins the race – as well as ensuring that you have a robust security posture and up-to-the-minute compliance.

Bringing your team with you

One of the biggest challenges for companies migrating to the cloud isn't the process itself – it's bringing staff with you. Resistance to change can be a real problem.

Picture of someone looking grumpy/bored at their desk.

However, this resistance is most pronounced when staff feel they're being rushed into changing their way of working. And why shouldn't they be? Life is hard enough without having to change those daily digital routines that keep your day running smoothly.

This is another reason why a slower pace can be beneficial. It allows you to manage the migration in waves, involving and educating your staff each step of the way.

The importance of planning

Let's go back to the analogy of moving house.

There's no right way to move house. You can meticulously audit your possessions, decluttering ahead of time and adding colour-coding to your labels. You can throw everything in boxes on the morning of the move. Or, like most people, you can do something in between the two.

There's no right way – but each method has its own consequences. If you plan, you'll be up and running more quickly than if you don't. The same goes for cloud migration.

If the process is rushed, you're going to be spending weeks replacing broken goods and rummaging through boxes for your favourite eggcup.

Let's translate that metaphor into cloud reality.

What happens if you don't plan?

If you migrate too fast, you'll find that you have a lot of work to do at the other end. Workloads will need to be found and synced. Security issues will need to be addressed. Access permissions will need to be set.

This is especially unwelcome given that one of the cloud's biggest selling points is its capacity to save you money.

You might be thinking that this would never happen to you. And maybe it won't. But the phenomenon is so common it has its own name: cloud shock.

Cloud shock is when you overspend on cloud services. Nine times out of 10, it's because of poor planning rather than poor execution. Nine times out of 10, the migration itself was smooth and timely – but there was a to-do list the length of the Yangtze waiting for IT at the other end.

The sad thing is that it's all so avoidable. All you need to do is thoroughly plan for the migration and you can be way more confident that it will go ahead on time and within budget.

What needs to be included in a plan?

A good cloud migration plan brings together finance and IT. Leave out one and you're left with a process that's unlikely to deliver – and may end up costing you more than you budgeted for.

First, you need to thoroughly audit your workloads and systems. This allows you to identify migration challenges for each workload.

But these technical considerations won't add up to much without detailed financial planning. Cloud migration isn't just about where your data sits. It's about realising your business's potential through an increase in agility, cost-effectiveness and scalability.

If IT is up to it – great! But if there's a significant amount of upskilling involved, it may be better to get a cloud consultant on board.

Conclusion

Whether you're moving to the cloud for the first time or switching to another provider, the temptation is to do it quickly. However, this can lead to issues with security, compliance, budget and even team morale.

Your best bet is to plan thoroughly and take your time. In our opinion, this is the wisest policy – whether you're undertaking the migration internally or getting outside help from a consultant.

At Ascend, we've executed more cloud migrations than you've had hot dinners. Get in touch today to find out more about our cloud transformation solutions.

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