The world of business is increasingly digital. More transactions are online and remote work has become normalized. It’s no wonder that 61% of American businesses use cloud-based data in some capacity. However, the journey to the cloud is not without its hurdles. If you’re moving to the cloud, you must consider how you will deal with possible cloud migration challenges.
| “Far too many cloud migration failures were completely preventable. With proper preparation and diligent execution, every cloud project can be a success.” – Matt Elias, VP of Service and Support, Outsource Solutions Group |
As Matt explains, you can drastically increase the chance of your cloud project’s success and its usability post-migration. Of course, we understand that cloud computing can be complicated, especially if it’s not what you’ve been trained to do.
To help steer you towards a successful cloud migration, this article will examine 7 common challenges and provide tips on how you can overcome them.
1. Data Security and Compliance
In general, cloud environments are more secure than on-premise servers. However, they’re not completely free from security risks. For instance, public cloud servers may run the risk of data ending up on the wrong business network. Many compliance bodies also regulated cloud security standards.
Data encryption is your best defense against cloud security risks. Even if data leakage occurs, no one will be able to read it without an encryption key. You should also verify your industry’s regulations regarding cloud servers before you plan a migration.
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2. Skill Gaps
Cloud migration projects often demand skills and knowledge that your in-house IT team might not have. This can lead to configuration errors, security mishaps, or an inefficient use of resources.
Upskilling your team is an option, but you might not have time for that. If that’s the case, look towards a managed cloud service provider to help you navigate the process.
3. Downtime During Migration
Moving your data may cause network downtime. This can lead to lost productivity and employee frustration. There are a few strategies that you can implement to minimize migration downtime.
- Move data off working hours
- Migrate data in stages
- Leverage automation tools to streamline the process
4. No Clear Cloud Migration Strategy
Without a clear strategy, your cloud project will quickly become chaotic. Implementers need clear objectives and defined roles. Failing to provide that can lead to missed deadlines, overspending, and even data loss.
That’s why it’s important to create a solid cloud migration plan before you get started. Your strategy should include a timeline, a budget, role definitions, and a list of the data that needs to be migrated.
Here’s a quick overview of the steps of creating a cloud migration strategy.
Source: LinkedIn
5. The Challenge of Hybrid Environments
Some regulatory compliance standards require on-premise data. In these cases, organizations typically opt for a hybrid cloud solution. The problem is that hybrid clouds require different security measures and can be more complex to navigate.
The best solution is to talk to someone who has experience with hybrid data centers. You can take the time to train your staff and learn about it yourself, but that does take time and may still require expert assistance. A cloud consultant can ease this process.
6. Uncertain Costs
The cost of cloud migration can be difficult to predict. That’s because indirect project costs can surface midway through the migration. These indirect costs may vary depending on your business goals and cloud provider.
The best way to prevent this issue is to estimate costs that may or may not arise. Even if they don’t, it’s better to have some reserve funds for your project that you can reallocate later. Have a bit of backup budget on hand just in case.
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7. Too Much To Migrate
Overtaxing your cloud is a bad idea. It can lead to increased downtime, slow performance, and launch delays. It’s important to ask yourself if everything in your current environment really needs to be migrated to the cloud.
If you still have a lot of data after this assessment, plan your migration in stages. Consider how much network bandwidth you have to work with and organize your data accordingly. Make sure every stage is within your bandwidth and create a schedule for each stage that helps you launch within your set project deadline.
When You Need Expert Help Mitigating Cloud Migration Challenges
Many business owners outsource cloud services to a managed services provider. This practice is a simple yet effective way to prevent common cloud migration challenges from ever surfacing in the first place.
Outsource Solutions Group provides comprehensive cloud consulting and management services throughout Illinois. We’d be happy to take a look at your migration plan to verify that it will help you steer clear of common pitfalls. We’re also willing to guide you through your migration journey and help you keep your cloud platform up and running post-migration.
Contact us to learn more about our cloud services.
