Have you been thinking to transfer your digital works to the cloud? Recent study confirms that only one-third of businesses who have planned to migrate to the cloud have devised a strategy for transferring information and applications. This means, two-third of the businesses do not have any strategic plan. To avoid extra cost and complexity while transferring workloads to the selected cloud, check out the following suggestions:

1 – Motive Behind Migration

First of all, it is important to have a motive behind transferring the data to the cloud. There must be key milestones to show improved ability of an organisation to adjust to changes. Businesses need to have good reason for moving workloads or changing the existing cloud. Companies must have a clear point and concrete metrics for what they have and how they will achieve success.

A skilled CIO take calculated risks so that the organisation can move forward. He/she understands that moving to the cloud is not related to data transfer from one server to another. In reality, it is associated with real demonstration of progress.

2 – Assess the Cloud Service Provider

The cloud is a collection of storage, compute and network infrastructure that is supervised through APIs. Before selecting a service, make certain that the cloud provider offers valuable set of APIs to manage the infrastructure for cost efficient and elastic solutions. Companies need centrally managed, integrated and secure environments, along with clearly spelled out SLAs on performance, security, and availability (including during peak hours).

3 – Perform Cloud Impact Analysis

It is natural that each application has some links with other systems and applications. Before transferring to cloud services, therefore, it is better to assess the end result of the cloud migration on connected systems and applications. Make certain that workloads are properly reviewed, which helps in identifying the applications that are required to be updated before and during cloud execution.

4 – Basic Test Requirements

All applications have some workload profiles, security measures, performance, transitions, elasticity, bandwidth, technology compatibility and availability requirements. Moreover, the chances to improve revenue and flourish business by controlling the distinguishing cloud capabilities also differ by applications. It is suggested to develop a cloud pilot, which targets particular workloads that can be migrated into the cloud environment. This pilot includes identity management and security, and additional functions, which will be required later on.