Cloud computing offers the flexibility and scalability businesses of all sizes need to grow and enhance their operations. The added benefit of reducing capital cost make the cloud a perfect solution for smaller organizations with a limited budget. It’s no wonder that the cloud has become the preferred option for storage, backup, and any other networking needs. If your business is considering moving to the cloud, let’s go over what you need to do for successful cloud migration.
Planning Cloud Migration
We understand that moving to the cloud and getting your business started with cloud computing is exciting. But it’s important to make sure you have the implementation is properly planned out. If your cloud migration isn’t planned out, the chances of running into issues are magnified. A simple mistake will lead to your data is spread across different areas of the cloud. Now your employees don’t have access to things they need for work. These are headaches you do not want to deal with.
To avoid this kind of mess, you need to do your research and find the cloud computing platform that works for your organization’s needs. You will also need to consider the possible threats your business could face with an unsuccessful cloud migration.
Proper planning is a must when instituting cloud computing in your business. Still unsure about the different types of cloud solutions? Learn more here about the options available to your business.
Cloud Migration Tips to Consider
The first step when moving to the cloud is to determine everything you have and how you are going to get it on the cloud. A lot of businesses don’t consider their data, applications, and in-place integrations before migrating. Poor planning means issues down the road.
Start small and work from there
Moving all the data from your current network infrastructure to the cloud at once is not the way to go. Even though it is the cloud, your data is still stored on a physical machine somewhere. A massive data dump could cause issues with the cloud migration process. Start small. Test it with a small group of files or an application that isn’t critical for business. Once this migration is successful, you’ll see the speed that it uploads. You can then slowly start adding more data to the migration until it’s all on the cloud.
Augment your existing infrastructure
The cloud is a very versatile piece of technology. In a lot of cases, it can work in conjunction with your current network. When you think of cloud migration, it makes sense to feel the need to move everything you have to a new platform. This isn’t always necessary. Many businesses could benefit from a hybrid-cloud platform. You can use the cloud to store non-essential infrastructure without putting your primary data in jeopardy.
Hosted solutions are hosted somewhere
Just because it’s called “the cloud,” and you don’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t hosted on a physical data center. You’d be surprised how many people don’t think about that. Since there is still a physical server hosting your data and infrastructure, you need to consider the security measures of the provider. Having your data backed up off-site is safer, you’ll want to know where it’s hosted is safe too.
Cloud security has changed
It’s technology, so of course, the cloud has changed substantially in the past few years. Cloud computing has changed things in both administration and security. With the cloud changing the way people work and access information, the old approach to security wouldn’t be enough. There were just too many holes in the firewall. This created the new security model where administrators and solutions focus on protecting data and providing managed access.
Being able to see the cloud as an extension of your on-site infrastructure is more than what the typical organization does. You’ll want to create a security model to ensure your data is accessible and secure. Look at how you share and access your data. This will give you a better understanding of the potential security gaps your system has. You can then focus on patching them.
Call the Cloud Experts
If you’re going to move some or all your company’s computing resources to the cloud, you must have a solid plan in place. The specialists at IT Support Guys can provide the support and resources necessary to make a successful cloud migration, ensuring the data and applications your staff depends on is safe. To talk with an IT Support Guys specialist, call us today at 855-4IT-GUYS (855-448-4897). Click here for more information about our cloud services.
