In the last decade, enterprises have seen an increasing need to migrate to the cloud, especially with the rise of big data and the effects of the pandemic obstructing business flows on a global scale. Tech Republic reports the global cloud market will reach $1 trillion by 2028. This is mainly due to cloud migration having many benefits, however it does pose some challenges too. So with that in mind, here's what enterprises need to know about cloud migration.

What is Enterprise Cloud Migration?

Cloud migration essentially means moving your data, applications, and infrastructure from your on-site computers to a virtual pool of shared resources. These resources are supported by a provider that can offer computing, storage, and network services. But more than that, Forbes explains that cloud migration is a long haul process. You have to leave room for your organization or enterprise to maneuver and continue to find solutions to problems that arise.

What Are the Benefits of Cloud Migration?

That said, cloud migration offers benefits that could be pivotal to most modern enterprises. Being on the cloud can significantly reduce speed and cost savings, as it enables you to scale on-demand, allows you to adjust to spikes, and save money when demand is low. You'll also have easier access to disaster recovery in case of breaches or system failures, as all your processes are basically stored online. Moreover, top providers like Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services constantly release new technology and services to help augment their solutions for users. For instance, SAP SE and Microsoft have recently announced a partnership that will encompass conceptualization to sales. This project aims to make the move more simplified, collaborative, and solution-focused for their customers.

What Are the Challenges to Cloud Migration?

The same Forbes article mentioned above describes cloud migration as being like an iceberg, and that it's what lies beneath the surface that can cause trouble. A post on how to setup MongoDB Atlas on Azure discusses some of the main pitfalls to avoid, such as not knowing how to properly navigate around databases, or not knowing which type of cluster to deploy. This matters in making sure you're getting your money's worth, and that it suits your enterprise's needs. Moreover, 63% of surveyed IT and decision-makers reported that their organizations lacked support for various cloud resources. You have to ensure that you're well prepared for data sensitivity and compliance needs - privacy for governments or medical organizations, for example. You also have to be aware of any vendor lock-ins, and any additional costs to prepare for rebuilding, and even replacing any infrastructure to help your enterprise fully adapt.

How to Start Cloud Migration?

Preparing to initiate cloud migration entails several phases, as enumerated in this cloud migration key considerations article on ITWeb: 1. Idea Phase - Evaluating your business purposes, setting goals and key performance indicators, and identifying stakeholders 2. Planning Phase - Forming a migration team, analyzing users, determining your migration method, and analyzing cloud cost 3. Migration Phase - Choosing a cloud environment, selecting a deployment model, choosing a cloud partner, and creating your migration plan After migration, it's also important to monitor any minor miscalculations, resource costs, or losses, and to keep testing workload and application functionality. This way, you can constantly improve your systems.

Conclusion

Cloud migration can seem like a long and grueling task, but it brings forth many benefits that will boost your enterprise to new heights. To ensure your process is as seamless as possible, be aware of these challenges and steps and build a comprehensive cloud migration plan. You could also opt for cloud migration services to help make the process faster, efficient, and cost-effective.