Moving to the cloud sounds simple enough: you take what you have, send it off to some servers elsewhere, and job done. But in reality, cloud migration is the process of moving applications, data, and often the way your business works — and doing it well takes planning, patience, and a fair bit of decision-making.
The benefits of cloud migration are clear: flexibility, scalability, better security, and the potential for cost saving. Yet, without a proper plan, the same move can lead to ballooning bills, downtime, and grumpy staff. This guide looks at the main types of cloud migration, what to think about before you start, and how to make sure your business is set up for the long term.
It’s More Than “Someone Else’s Computer”
Yes, cloud platforms are basically someone else’s computers — but they’re also a chance to work in a more modern way. A well-chosen cloud migration strategy can open up options like AI integration, instant scaling, and better disaster recovery.
Pick the wrong approach, though, and you could be spending more than before, with systems that perform worse. That’s why migration plans matter.
Step 1: Decide Where You’re Going
Before you lift and shift anything, be clear on your goals. Ask yourself:
- Which existing applications will move?
- Will you use Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), or something in between?
- Should you choose public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud?
- What are your security and compliance needs?
- How much cost saving do you expect, and how will you track it?
Skipping these questions is like moving house without knowing which country you’re moving to. You’ll end up with boxes in storage and nowhere to live.
Step 2: Understand the Types of Cloud Migration
Not all migration strategies are equal. Here are the six common ones — often called the “6 Rs”:
- Rehosting (Lift and Shift) – Moving applications and data to the cloud as they are. Quick and simple, but may not use the cloud’s full potential.
- Replatforming – Making small changes during the move, like switching to managed databases.
- Refactoring / Re-architecting – Redesigning applications for cloud-native features. More effort, but big long-term benefits.
- Repurchasing – Replacing a system entirely with a SaaS solution.
- Retire – Dropping outdated or unused applications.
- Retain – Keeping some applications where they are for now.
A single migration can mix these approaches. For example, you might rehost your email, replatform your databases, and retire an old intranet all at once.
Step 3: Build a Realistic Plan
Migration processes need detail. Start with:
- Inventory and dependencies – List your applications and data, and note how they rely on each other.
- Priorities – Migrate low-risk or high-value items first.
- Timeline – Set milestones, but leave room for testing and fixing.
- Roles – Make sure everyone knows their responsibilities.
- Cost controls – Use tagging, budget alerts, and regular reviews.
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the financial side. Without monitoring, “pay as you go” can turn into “pay far more than you expected.”
Step 4: Pick Your Tools and Platforms
The most popular options are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, but many other providers may be more suitable for certain types of businesses and industries. However, there are good reasons to consider using technologies that are not locking you in, both due to compliance reasons, and having the option to move if and when prices change. For European companies in particular, there are good reasons to avoid or at least ensure that you are not locked into American-based cloud solutions in the present geo-political environment.
Choose your cloud platforms based on your goals, not just brand recognition. Migration tools can help:
- Discovery tools for mapping dependencies.
- Automation for moving large datasets or complex setups.
- Governance tools for cost, performance, and compliance tracking.
If you’re going hybrid cloud or multi-cloud, make sure the tools handle both. Vendor lock-in is easy to get into and hard to escape.
Step 5: Prepare the People as Well as the Tech
A successful migration isn’t just about applications and data — it’s about people. Without buy-in, even the most perfectly configured systems can fail.
- Train teams on the new tools and processes.
- Keep communication open and clear.
- Provide easy ways for staff to raise issues during the move.
If people understand the “why” and the “how”, they’re far more likely to make the new setup work.
Step 6: Test, Optimise, Repeat
When the migration is complete, don’t just tick the box and move on. Test everything:
- Performance under real workloads.
- Security against compliance standards.
- Costs against your forecasts.
Testing is where you catch surprises, like that one service that’s been running at full capacity since launch day “just in case.”
Step 7: Think Beyond the Move
Cloud migration should set you up for the future, not just fix today’s problems. Plan for:
- Continuous optimisation.
- Scaling up or down as your needs change.
- Making the most of AI, analytics, or edge computing.
- Robust backup and disaster recovery.
Done right, the move isn’t the end — it’s the start of a more agile way of working.
Pitfalls Worth Avoiding
- Underestimating costs – The cloud can save money, but only with good cost management.
- Ignoring dependencies – Move one system without its partner, and you’ll have downtime.
- Skipping testing – “It seemed fine at the time” is not a disaster recovery plan.
- Forgetting the people – Change works best when everyone’s on board.
The Pay-Off
Get it right and the benefits of cloud migration are big: flexibility, faster scaling, better security, and lower costs. Plus, you finally get rid of that dusty old server in the corner that no one dares switch off.
Every company and application is unique, and to provide more specific objectives, we will probably need more information from you. We are happy to help you migrate! Contact us here!
Need help?
We’ve worked with businesses on every kind of migration strategy — from straightforward lift and shift to complete re-architectures. Whether it’s IaaS, SaaS, or hybrid cloud, we make sure applications and data are successfully migrated, tested, and optimised for the long term. If you want to use a company to help you, here is another article that describes what to consider when choosing a software provider.
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What is cloud migration, in plain terms?
Cloud migration is moving applications and data to cloud platforms, but it often also changes how work gets done. The technical move is only one part; the bigger impact is on security, operating practices, and costs. A successful migration is planned, tested, and optimised so the cloud improves flexibility and scalability without creating downtime or surprise bills.
Why do cloud migrations go wrong even when the technology is solid?
Many migrations fail because they’re treated as a simple “move,” instead of a set of decisions about platforms, operating model, and responsibilities. If goals, dependencies, and cost controls are unclear, the cloud can perform worse and cost more than before. Planning, testing, and clear ownership reduce the risk of outages and rework.
What should be decided before moving anything to the cloud?
Start with direction and constraints: which applications will move, what cloud service model fits (IaaS, SaaS, or something between), and what security and compliance needs apply. It also helps to define expected cost savings and how they will be tracked. Without those decisions, migrations tend to drift, and results become hard to measure.
What are the “6 Rs” of cloud migration?
The “6 Rs” are common migration approaches: rehosting (lift and shift), replatforming, refactoring/re-architecting, repurchasing (move to SaaS), retire (remove), and retain (keep for now). A single programme can combine several of these in parallel. The right choice depends on effort, time, and whether you need cloud-native benefits.
Lift-and-shift vs refactoring: which is better?
Lift-and-shift is faster because it moves systems largely as they are, but it may not unlock much of the cloud’s potential. Refactoring takes more effort because applications are redesigned for cloud-native capabilities, yet it can deliver stronger long-term benefits. Many organisations mix approaches, using lift-and-shift where speed matters and refactoring where value is higher.
Rehosting vs replatforming: what’s the practical difference?
Rehosting moves workloads with minimal change, aiming for speed and simplicity. Replatforming still moves quickly, but includes selected improvements during the move—such as switching to managed services. The trade-off is effort versus optimisation: replatforming adds work, but often reduces operational burden after migration.
How do you build a realistic cloud migration plan?
A practical plan starts with an inventory of applications and data, plus their dependencies, then sets priorities and milestones with time for testing and fixes. Roles and responsibilities should be explicit so decisions do not stall. Strong cost controls—like tagging, budget alerts, and regular reviews—help prevent “pay as you go” turning into “pay more than expected.”
Why do dependencies matter so much in cloud migration?
Systems rarely operate alone. Moving one application without the services it depends on can cause downtime and broken workflows. Mapping dependencies early helps you sequence the migration, choose what to move together, and reduce the risk of surprises during cutover. Dependency awareness also improves testing because you can validate complete user journeys, not just components.
What are the most common cost mistakes in cloud migration?
The biggest cost mistake is assuming savings happen automatically. Cloud costs can rise quickly without monitoring and governance. Budget alerts, tagging, and recurring cost reviews help control spend and show whether forecasts match reality. Cost decisions should be part of the plan, not an afterthought once invoices arrive.
How do you choose a cloud platform without getting locked in?
Platform choice should follow goals and constraints, not brand recognition. It also helps to consider whether your tools and architecture keep future options open, especially if compliance needs or pricing change. For hybrid or multi-cloud setups, the tooling must support both environments consistently, or teams end up with fragmented operations and higher complexity.
Why is “people readiness” a key part of cloud migration?
Cloud migration changes tools, processes, and daily routines, so success depends on buy-in and capability—not just infrastructure. Training, clear communication, and safe channels for raising issues help teams adopt the new setup. When people understand the purpose and the working methods, the migration is more likely to stick after go-live.
What happens after the migration is “done”?
Migration is not the finish line. After cutover, systems should be tested under real workloads, checked against security and compliance needs, and measured against cost forecasts. Then optimisation continues: improving performance, scaling appropriately, and strengthening backup and disaster recovery. Done well, the move becomes a foundation for more agile ways of working.