A cloud migration checklist: The lowdown on integration and architecture

When dealing with cloud migration, IT executives often face struggles, but this is no reason to give up. Here is a checklist of the major areas organizations should consider avoiding repeating mistakes.

Designating a migration architect

Right from the start, every cloud migration project should establish a migration-architect role. This role is responsible for designing strategies for data migration, outlining cloud-solution requirements, and determining priorities, as well as production switchover mechanisms. The migration architect will define all necessary aspects of the migration – this is essential to the success of the project.

Cloud integration

There are two ways to move an application to the cloud – either via shallow cloud integration or deep cloud integration. Shallow cloud integration is quick and easy. The on-premises application is moved to the cloud and there are no changes to the servers instantiated in the cloud for the purpose of running the application. Whereas, deep cloud integration requires modifying applications to leverage key cloud capabilities such as auto-scaling balancing or serverless computing abilities.

Single cloud vs. multi-cloud

Initially, IT leaders need to decide whether to use a single cloud provider or multiple cloud providers? Ensuring application optimization works with a specific cloud provider is relatively straightforward. Developers have a single set of cloud APIs to learn and the application can benefit from everything the chosen cloud provider offers. However, users will experience vendor lock-in. Having a single cloud provider restricts the ability to negotiate important terms, such as pricing and SLAs with the cloud provider.

There are also different models for using multiple cloud providers:

One application per cloud

The simplest multi-cloud approach is to run one set of applications in one cloud provider and another set in a different cloud. Application across multiple cloud providers. In this way, IT teams can maximize on key advantages each provider offers, but any problem with either provider could impact the application’s experience.

Cloud-agnostic application

Some companies build their applications to run on any cloud provider, so an application can operate simultaneously on multiple providers.

No matter which approach an organization chooses, it is critical to nurture a safe and secure cloud environment.