When web applications were created, the architecture was simple and multiple apps were hosted on a single server. With the increasing number of users and complexity, companies needed local servers and devices to store complex enterprise applications.
Dedicated server rooms were required, which came at a huge cost. The server resources were idle for a significant amount of time. So, to optimize server usage and to lower maintenance cost, businesses are now shifting towards cloud technology.
91% of companies use public clouds to host and deploy their enterprise applications. Microsoft Azure is one such cloud that helps the companies host their web applications at a preferable cost.
So before we discuss the various strategies, let’s look into Azure cloud migration and Azure in brief.
Cloud computing
Cloud migration refers to the process of moving business data, applications, and other intangible elements to the cloud environment. On an average, businesses run 38% of workloads in public and 41% in a private cloud.
Here are the benefits of cloud migration
- Applications can be scaled with ease for larger crowds without any labor.
- The cost incurred for buying and maintaining physical servers are largely reduced to help the business focus.
- Cloud servers can handle large workloads and improve performance and overall user-experience.
- Employees and customers can access their data and services flexibly from all places.
Microsoft Azure
Azure is a platform developed by Microsoft that offers a wide range of hosting solutions to businesses. It works with diverse software types, such as SaaS, Paas, and IaaS. The program has gained a lot of popularity in the present industry and continues to grow exponentially.
Azure has a readymade suite of cloud products that allows the users to create enterprise-grade applications without their infrastructure. 85% of the Fortune 100 companies use Microsoft Azure.
Businesses can use Azure regardless of their size or scale. It also provides industry-specific applications to address the unique needs of high-risk industries, like healthcare.
Things to Consider to Make a Workable Azure Migration Strategy
Here is a checklist that will surely allow a smooth migration to Azure.
- Defining priorities
Companies should form the migration plan based on the technical and business factors, like the hardware used and the size of the business. The workloads with less complexity are migrated first, followed by the more complex ones. This helps businesses gain the first experience of using Azure. Businesses can then proceed with the use of migrated applications on a day-to-day basis.
- Employee training
A common challenge that businesses face during Azure migrations is the misunderstanding of differences between applications hosted on the cloud and traditional local deployments.
The concerned staff should understand Azure as a cloud platform. Cloud technology comes with a whole new set of terms, acronyms, and abbreviations, and teams should familiarize themselves with all the jargon. Proper knowledge about why Azure was chosen will help the employees navigate the migration in a better way.
- Fall back planning
It would be a wise decision to have a back-up plan. In case of data loss or application error due to migration, backups will be handy
- Resolving dependencies
Existing dependencies should be resolved when the applications are migrated. To prevent service interruptions, connections and configurations need to be invalidated before the migration. A priority list based on the dependency and business necessity make the transition effortless.
- Database Integration
Azure has an inbuilt database that can be used by enterprise applications. Such enterprise applications, in general, use external databases. Compatibility between the databases should be ensured before working on the migration process because support commands and variable types can be rendered obsolete. Migrating databases without loss of data require the services of database specialists.
- Security Issues
Security is a non-negotiable factor when it comes to any software process. A virtual network with an end-to-end encryption should be created to deal with the migration. The intranet should be readied for cloud servicing and core sectors should invest in creating a secure environment in the business.
- Monitoring Applications
After Azure migration, the right processes should be used to manage the application effectively. A mock deployment before the actual one into the production environment in the cloud will help in finding the blind spots and fixing them. Technical and development teams can then devise a proper schedule on the deployment should proceed.
Sum Up
Businesses should measure all the possibilities, both good and bad, before devising the migration strategy. A properly-evaluated plan can make the migration process effortless. Underestimating the transition can incur additional charges. Enterprises should invest time and effort in learning and formulating a personalized migration strategy based on their application complexity.
