Four steps to successful cloud migration

By Francis Wainaina, Senior Product Manager at SEACOM East Africa.

Cloud migration may seem overwhelming for companies that have just started their digital transformation journey, but the costs of delaying the process will certainly outweigh the initial challenges. World Wide Worx published a recent survey in which they found that around one-third of African businesses are spending between 50% and 75% of their IT budgets on cloud services. If an African enterprise wants to remain competitive, it needs to consider cloud migration.

The global pandemic has contributed to this massive shift to the cloud. Most businesses have implemented remote working policies, which requires cloud-based servers and applications to work properly. The cloud makes companies more flexible, productive and agile in the age of Covid-19. Here are four steps to successful cloud migration for large companies in Africa.

1. Develop a clear cloud strategy

A clear hybrid strategy will make cloud migration more manageable and outline deadlines from the start of the entire process. This should be the first process in the migration journey and it should always prioritise business objectives rather than just implementing new technology for the sake of innovation. At the end of the day, a business needs to provide a product or service that works.

Start by outlining the purpose of cloud migration; look at the business requirements and how cloud services can help. Be mindful of the workload and develop a structured roll-out. Choose between a phased approach or an all-out migration as a matter of urgency. It’s vital that you have an established plan and know the reasons behind the cloud migration journey. This will allow you to reach the end of the transformation more efficiently.

Look at the baseline metrics of the company’s on-site IT infrastructure to see key performance indicators. This can help you plan a successful cloud migration. Data, such as CPU and memory usage, disk performance, network latency and load balancing will show you how well your applications and services are functioning. This process will also show you where your business can improve and how you can minimise maintenance costs while maximising access speeds and scalability.

2. Identify the ideal applications and services

Some applications are not designed for the cloud, so they may not run as efficiently as they do on-premise. This means that decision-makers need to assess which apps and services to move from on-site servers to the cloud. Some apps may need minor adjustments, while others will need detailed re-coding in order to function optimally.

You must figure out which apps and programs work best in public, private or hybrid environments. This includes performance, functionality and security requirements. A public cloud will allow a business to share resources with other companies, whereas a private cloud will keep information secure and avoid network overloads. A hybrid solution could be ideal as it combines the best of both environments into one solution.

3. Maintain operational continuity and data integrity

It is vital to manage the risks of cloud migration from the outset as this will ensure operational continuity. The goal is to minimise downtime and move critical processes and programs to the cloud without affecting the business. This is definitely achievable when done right and after careful planning and analysis.

When valuable data is being moved, its integrity must also be kept intact. Always have a reliable back-up system in place during this process. Consider regulatory compliance, security standards and possible software licensing issues when extending on-site apps to the cloud network. This is where service providers can guide companies and help them to make informed decisions.

4. Choose the right cloud service provider

The final step to successful cloud migration is to select the best cloud provider that will meet your requirements and objectives. The ideal partner will make cloud migration simple and stress-free. They need to have an in-depth understanding of the cloud environment and your business needs. In addition, the perfect provider will be able to set up scalable infrastructure that can grow as your company expands.

A cloud provider with proven experience will be able to manage the complexities of cloud migration. Managed cloud services will enable seamless transition to the cloud, leaving businesses free to focus on their core offerings. Cloud services are revolutionising the way we do business, but migration does not happen overnight. Choose SEACOM Business as your cloud migration partner and take advantage of these new innovations. For more information or to get a quote for our cloud services, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.

SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.

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