Cloud migration has gained traction in the IT environment. It is a digital technique for moving data storage, applications, and computational power from a physical server to the cloud. Moving to the cloud means you can switch servers or providers without downtime or an interruption of service. Here are common cloud migration challenges that you need to know.
1. Security Concerns
Cloud computing poses certain risks that must be considered before a company leaps. Security, for instance, is one of the biggest concerns with cloud computing.
With so many different entities potentially having access to a company’s sensitive data, the cloud security concerns are numerous. The IT staff must assess and balance these risks against all other business needs.
2. Vendor Lock-in
If you choose a cloud vendor, you’re stuck with them. This is essential as it will help you save money in the long run. In some cases, the need for a move can be so urgent that organizations are forced to overcommit to new technology or service providers to get on and off the ground with minimum downtime.
For instance, what do you do if the cloud provider goes out of business? The new service provider is not only likely to be more expensive but will also work with an ecosystem that can make moving easy.
To overcome vendor lock-in cloud migration challenges, you may consider a multi-cloud strategy. A virtual private cloud, for instance, is a public or private cloud method that offers a new way of providing computing power to organizations. They divide a physical server into multiple virtual machines on the same hardware.
3. Skill Shortage
You need a skilled team to move your business there to get the most out of the cloud service. Although cloud computing does not necessarily require high-level programming skills, companies must still ensure that their IT staff is highly proficient.
The shortage is a result of the fact that companies have been looking for technically skilled staff for decades. Cloud has enabled organizations to shift a portion of their business to work-at-home workers, who are highly skilled but may not have the same amount of experience. However, with the help of a cloud management provider, you can overcome this challenge.
4. Compatibility Challenge
With data migration, you will have to run everything on the new cloud platform, ensuring it works with your current systems. It’s not always easy to find a cloud partner with all of your software requirements at the tip of their fingers. A third-party software provider, for instance, may not be able to match your cloud provider perfectly.
Using DigitalNZ, companies can redesign the way they run their software stack. From integrating your current applications to making them work with the cloud, DigitalNZ has the expertise to design your entire digital strategy.
5. Prioritization Problems
Prioritization identifies essential components and services that an organization needs to migrate. This is crucial as it helps avoid downtime and protects a company’s data from potential threats. The hard part with most CTOs is datasets’ alignment with the technical drivers.
Typically, dataset alignment is a way of correcting data and creating application ranking for organizations. Pre-defining the company’s metrics is crucial in achieving alignment of your obtained data elements and technical drivers. The next step should involve defining these metrics to align with the specific business goals and objectives.
6. Cloud Migration Costs
Another major concern with cloud migration is the cost. The amount of money in one’s budget has a direct impact on the decision to move data to the cloud or not.
However, most businesses spend more time than they usually would because of cloud migration anxiety. Therefore, you need to plan and evaluate your project to know how much you will save with a cloud migration service provider.
7. Choosing Cloud Services
Businesses are often confused by the many different cloud services available. And once you decide to move your data to the cloud, you need to find the right provider for your company. A good way to start is to look for vendors with a track record and solid reputation in this area. It is also important to note that not every vendor service syncs with your organization’s specific software portfolio.
Conclusion
While cloud migration is a complex topic, the above should give you a starting point for understanding the issues involved and the various solutions you can utilize. Knowing these challenges will help you decide whether moving to the cloud is right for your business.
