On-Premises to Cloud Migration Guide

Migrating from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud offers businesses a way to overcome the limitations of traditional setups. High maintenance costs, limited scalability, and increased security risks make on-premises solutions less viable for many organizations today. The cloud presents an alternative, providing flexibility, enhanced security, and cost efficiency.

This guide outlines a comprehensive approach to on-premises to cloud migration, detailing the critical steps involved—from assessing your current infrastructure to optimizing your new cloud setup. Whether you’re looking to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, or prepare for future growth, this guide will provide the insights needed for a smooth and effective transition.

Quick Takeaways

• Begin your cloud migration by thoroughly evaluating your current on-premises infrastructure and defining your business objectives.
• Create a detailed migration plan that includes a clear strategy, prioritizing applications and data to minimize disruptions.
• Use a phased migration approach and conduct regular testing to ensure a smooth transition and maintain business continuity.
• Continuously monitor performance, optimize resources, and implement security measures to fully leverage cloud benefits. 

Assessing Your Current Infrastructure and Needs

1. Evaluate Your Existing Infrastructure

Before starting the migration process, it’s essential to thoroughly evaluate your existing on-premises infrastructure. Understanding what you have in place will help determine the scope of the migration and identify potential challenges.

Start by assessing your hardware, software, and network capacity to understand their current state and limitations. This step also includes examining which applications are critical for business operations and which could benefit most from cloud capabilities.

2. Define Business Needs and Objectives

Identifying business needs and objectives is equally important. Consider what your organization aims to achieve with cloud migration—whether it’s cost reduction, improved performance, enhanced security, or scalability.

With nearly all organizations worldwide—98% according to a report from the Cloud Security Alliance—already leveraging cloud services, from SaaS applications to complete cloud-native networks, the shift is inevitable.

Define clear criteria for your ideal cloud environment based on factors such as:

• Compliance requirements
• Data sensitivity
• Performance expectations

Utilizing effective assessment tools and best practices can streamline this evaluation and set a solid foundation for the migration process.

Planning Your Migration Strategy

3. Choose the Right Cloud Deployment Model

With a clear understanding of your current infrastructure and needs, the next step is to develop a robust migration strategy. Start by defining the type of cloud deployment that best suits your business—public, private, or hybrid. Each model offers unique benefits, from cost savings in a public cloud to enhanced control and security in a private or hybrid cloud.

4. Create a Detailed Migration Plan

Creating a detailed migration plan is crucial. This plan should outline timelines, budget, and resources needed for a successful transition. It’s important to prioritize which applications and data to migrate first, based on their criticality and complexity. A phased approach can help minimize disruptions and ensure business continuity.

Additionally, forming a cross-functional team of stakeholders, including IT, operations, and security, will ensure that all aspects of the migration are covered and that there is alignment across the organization.

Executing the Migration

5. Develop a Step-by-Step Migration Process

A well-executed migration begins with a clear, step-by-step plan. Start by selecting a cloud provider and service model that aligns with your business requirements. Consider factors such as:

• Data storage needs
• Security features
• Service-level agreements

Next, prepare for the transfer by ensuring data security and integrity. Encrypt sensitive data, establish backup protocols, and test for any vulnerabilities to prevent potential breaches during migration.

Companies that execute a structured migration process tend to achieve greater cloud maturity, which allows them to adopt new technologies rapidly and innovate more aggressively—71% of such companies demonstrate this capability.

6. Implement a Phased Migration Approach

To minimize disruptions, consider using a phased approach. Begin by migrating less critical applications and data to identify any issues and resolve them early in the process. Gradually transition more essential systems once initial migrations are successful.

Throughout each phase, conduct thorough testing and validation to ensure all applications and data are functioning correctly in the new cloud environment. This approach helps maintain business continuity and reduces the risk of unexpected downtime.

Post-Migration Optimization and Management

7. Monitor and Manage Cloud Performance

After migration, continuously monitor your cloud environment to ensure it performs as expected. Use analytics tools to track key performance indicators, such as:

• Response times
• Uptime
• User satisfaction

Regular monitoring allows you to detect and address any performance issues early, ensuring a smooth operation that meets your business needs.

8. Optimize Resources and Security

Maximize the benefits of your new cloud setup by optimizing resources and strengthening security measures. Regularly review your cloud usage to identify underutilized services or opportunities for cost savings.

As cloud infrastructures become increasingly central to business operations, securing them has become a top priority. Currently, 65% of security and IT professionals consider cloud security a critical concern, and 72% expect it to become even more significant in the future.

Implementing regular security audits, updates, and data backup strategies can help protect your cloud environment from potential threats and ensure ongoing compliance with industry standards.

Make Your Move to the Cloud Today with Intermedia

Migrating from on-premises to the cloud can offer significant advantages, from enhanced flexibility to improved cost efficiency and security. By carefully assessing your needs, planning a robust strategy, and managing the post-migration environment, you can ensure a seamless transition. With the right approach, your organization can fully leverage the benefits of cloud technology for long-term success.

Ready to make the move from on-premises to the cloud? Explore how Intermedia’s comprehensive solutions can simplify your migration process with secure, scalable, and efficient cloud services.

Learn more about our cloud migration offerings or get started with a consultation today!

Rob Oscanyan

Robert Oscanyan is a Senior Director of Product Marketing at Intermedia, where he focuses on helping businesses improve their customer experience using Intermedia's award-winning cloud communications solutions. Rob has over a decade of experience spanning market research, messaging, and elevating the voice of the customer. In his free time, he constantly creating new adventures with his wife, seven kids, and a small army of pets.