Cloud migration is becoming a popular choice for businesses wanting to take advantage of the flexibility, scalability, and cost savings the cloud can offer. In fact, 50% of all business workloads are expected to run in the cloud by the end of this year. But as with any technology, you’ll need to consider the pros and cons of cloud migration before making the move.

In this blog, we’re sharing the benefits and potential disadvantages of migrating to the cloud and tips for deciding if cloud migration is right for your business.

Pros of Cloud Migration

Some advantages of moving your on-prem systems to the cloud include:

Cost Savings

Cloud migration can eliminate the need for on-premise hardware, which can be expensive to maintain, upgrade, and replace. And since cloud providers typically offer pay-as-you-go pricing models, businesses can save more money by only paying for what they use.

Scalability

Businesses can quickly and easily scale cloud services up or down as needed. This flexibility is helpful for companies that frequently experience changing customer demands or rapid growth.

Accessibility

Cloud migration provides remote access to data and applications, enabling employees to work from anywhere anytime. With 64% of employees worldwide working in fully remote environments, providing secure, fast accessibility is key for keeping workers productive.

Security

Cloud providers typically offer advanced security measures to protect business networks and data, which is especially important for businesses lacking the resources to implement these measures on-premise.

Cons of Cloud Migration

Potential disadvantages of a cloud migration include:

Downtime

Downtime can occur for many reasons, including network outages, system maintenance, software upgrades, and human error. While cloud providers try to minimize downtime, it’s impossible to avoid it altogether.

Technical Issues

Cloud migration can also result in technical issues, such as data loss or compatibility problems. Organizations may need to invest in new equipment or software to ensure compatibility with cloud-based infrastructure.

Vendor Lock-In

After migrating to the cloud, businesses may rely on a single vendor for their infrastructure needs. This can make it difficult to switch vendors or move back to an on-prem solution if needed.

Is a Partial or Full Cloud Migration Right for Your Business?

When it comes to cloud migration, businesses can choose to migrate either partially or fully. Partial cloud migration involves moving only a portion of your organization’s data and applications to the cloud, while a full cloud migration involves moving all systems to the cloud. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, so weighing your needs carefully before deciding is essential.

A few factors to keep in mind when choosing between a partial or full cloud migration for your business include:

• Business Needs – Migrating partially or fully to the cloud comes down to your organization’s needs. If your business requires flexibility or the ability to quickly scale up or down, a full cloud migration may be the right choice. However, a partial migration is likely sufficient if only a few applications could benefit from moving your workloads to the cloud.
• Cost – Partial migrations can be less expensive since they only involve moving a portion of your systems to the cloud. But remember that a partial migration may also require additional infrastructure and maintenance costs since you’ll still need to maintain on-prem infrastructure.
• Timeframe – The timeframe for your cloud migration can also impact your decision since a full migration can take more time and resources than a partial migration. If you have a tight deadline, a partial cloud migration may be a better option since it can be completed quicker.
• Compliance – If you operate in a highly-regulated industry, you may need to keep some systems on-prem to meet regulatory requirements. In this case, a partial cloud migration may be the best option for your business.

The cloud offers a cost-effective, secure alternative to on-prem computing, but finding the right provider is vital for a successful migration. eXemplify can help you decide if cloud migration is right for your business and connect you with a provider that fits your needs. Contact us today to learn more or get started.