What Is Cloud Migration? 

Cloud migration is the process of transferring applications, data, security, and other IT assets from on-premises environments to cloud computing environments. This process involves moving digital assets from a company's data center to a cloud service provider—or even between cloud providers. 

This migration does not necessarily change existing systems; it may also involve optimizing or modernizing them over time. Migration can occur from on-premises to cloud, or vice versa. 

With a proper cloud migration strategy, businesses can prioritize workloads, plan accordingly, and perform necessary testing to ensure a smooth and systematic transition of their IT operations to the cloud. 

Why Migrate to the Cloud? 

The main driver behind cloud migration is business efficiency, particularly in terms of IT operations and cost savings. By moving to the cloud, companies can reduce significant capital expenditures by shifting to operational expenses—eliminating the need to purchase, operate, maintain, and upgrade on-premise data center equipment. 

Cloud migration also enhances performance and operational speed. It enables better workload management and reduces dependency on outdated applications that often come with costly licensing. Additionally, cloud services offer strong data protection, supported by international regulations and compliance standards established by each country's regulatory bodies. 

Other reasons for cloud migration include: 

1. Unlocking Data Analytics 

Cloud computing opens access to more powerful tools such as CRMs, ERPs, marketing databases, and analytics platforms. These tools create new business opportunities and help organizations respond more flexibly to challenges. 

2. Enhancing Flexibility 

Cloud services provide IT resources on-demand, allowing faster decision-making without the need to wait for new hardware or app installations. This agility helps businesses adapt to market changes and respond swiftly to competitive pressures. 

3. Improving Data Security 

Cloud services also improve data security, thanks to high built-in protection measures. Cloud providers typically include automatic additional layers of security.

Types of Cloud Migration 

Before selecting the appropriate migration method, it’s important to understand the types of cloud migration, typically classified into two main categories: 

Based on Migration Target 

This type of migration is classified based on the target cloud environment—specifically, where the data and applications are being transferred or migrated to. 

1. Migration to Public Cloud 

Moving data and applications to a public cloud provider such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. This is ideal for companies beginning their digital transformation with relatively light workloads. 

2. Migration Between Cloud Providers 

The process of moving data and applications between cloud service providers (e.g., from AWS to Azure). This is usually done for cost optimization, better performance, or to access specific features not available with the previous provider.

3. Hybrid Cloud Migration 

A combination of on-premise infrastructure and public cloud, taking advantage of the benefits offered by both environments.

Based on Migration Scope 

Organizations can carry out cloud migration based on their specific goals and objectives, which include: 

1. Full Data Center Migration 

A complex and long-term migration that requires comprehensive planning. This involves transferring all applications and datasets from one or more data centers to a public cloud environment.

2. Partial Application and Data Migration 

For easier management and more efficient operations, organizations can choose to migrate only specific software, services, or datasets from on-premises to the cloud.

3. Workload-Specific Migration 

A more focused approach that migrates certain workloads, such as computing or storage, to the cloud from various types of existing resources.

Cloud Migration Methods 

There are several cloud migration methods companies can use to adopt the cloud successfully. Choosing the right method depends on your needs and available resources—there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Here are the most common cloud migration methods:

1. Rehosting (Lift and Shift) 

Rehosting, or lift and shift, involves moving applications to the cloud with little or no modification. This is the fastest and simplest method, requiring no changes to the application architecture.

This method is ideal for companies that want to migrate quickly with minimal preparation, though post-migration optimization is often necessary.

2. Relocating (Lift and Optimize) 

Also known as lift and optimize, this approach involves moving applications or data to the cloud with minor or no significant changes, allowing the cloud environment to operate more efficiently.

This method suits companies that are new to cloud adoption but are not ready to redesign their entire architecture. It offers flexibility and allows for gradual performance improvements without major disruption.

3. Refactoring

This method involves rebuilding applications to take full advantage of cloud-native features. Applications are modified or rewritten using architectures such as microservices, serverless computing, and cloud-native designs.

While time- and cost-intensive, this method is ideal for companies aiming for major expansion and higher performance, scalability, and flexibility in competitive markets.

4. Replatforming

A middle ground between rehosting and refactoring, replatforming involves moving applications to the cloud with some adjustments to leverage specific cloud features—without fully rebuilding the apps.

Only selected components are modified, making this method a cost-effective choice for companies looking to optimize cloud usage without overhauling existing applications.

5. Repurchasing

This approach involves replacing existing products or applications with new cloud-based solutions. It could mean shifting on-prem software to its cloud-based equivalent—or adopting a completely new cloud-native platform.

Often used to modernize outdated applications, repurchasing simplifies IT infrastructure by leveraging the automation features of cloud applications.

6. Retiring

This strategy involves turning off applications that are no longer needed after migration. These might be outdated, redundant, or incompatible with the cloud environment.

It reduces migration complexity and costs by ensuring only necessary applications are moved to the cloud

7. Retaining

Unlike retiring, retaining means keeping certain applications on-premise post-migration. Companies may delay migration of critical apps or servers until further planning and testing can be conducted.

This method is often chosen for essential or sensitive systems that require extra care and preparation before transitioning to the cloud.

Challenges in Cloud Migration 

Proper planning not only ensures a smooth migration process but also helps optimize post-migration performance. Here are common cloud migration challenges:

1. Complexity 

Most enterprise applications are complex and interconnected with other systems. Migrating such applications requires careful planning and phased strategies. Some legacy systems may be incompatible with cloud environments, requiring refactoring or redevelopment.

2. Incomplete Strategies 

Sebelum melakukan migrasi cloud, organisasi memerlukan strategi yang matang dan juga terukur untuk mencapai hasil terbaik. Dalam menyusum strategi ini juga perlu mempertimbangkan faktor lainnya, seperti tujuan migrasi secara keseluruhan dan cara menghindari downtime agar tidak menghambat jalannya operasional bisnis. 

Read also: 5 Effective Strategies to Optimize Cloud Resources

3. Budget Limitations

Organizations often overlook the full costs of cloud migration, including increased network bandwidth requirements and ongoing cloud operating costs post-migration.

4. Data Security and Compliance Risks 

Data migration is vulnerable to cyberattacks. It is essential to ensure that your cloud provider complies with local data protection laws and offers strong security features such as backup and disaster recovery.

Read also: The Looming Digital Threats Facing the World

Conclusion 

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses still relying on on-premises infrastructure should consider migrating to the cloud. Cloud adoption enhances competitive edge, operational efficiency, and IT resource management. 

However, selecting the right migration method should be based on each organization’s unique needs, goals, applications, and readiness—there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. 

Choose a trusted cloud service provider as your migration partner. Consult our expert team to help plan and execute your cloud journey.