Top 5 Reasons for Cloud Migration Failure

Migrating the business to the cloud is so enticing since it provides different perks like enhanced functionality, scalability, cost-efficiency; however, implementing a successful cloud migration is not that easy.

According to a study from Unisys, about one out of every three cloud migrations are unsuccessful. While several working factors behind cloud migration failure, the most prevalent is that most businesses have not accepted the cloud as a vital business component.

If you want to make successful cloud migration, then read this article because we will address the five most common reasons that lead to cloud migration failure.

When an organization implements an inappropriate migration approach, migration failure chances are increased. In most cases, a company has several cloud migration approaches; however, the problem occurs when they do not perform a thorough study to determine which one is most suited to their needs.

Some of the popular ways of cloud migration are:

1. Lift and shift approach
2. App modernization
3. Refactoring
4. Re-platforming

However, it is worth noting that each cloud migration technique entails its migration strategy.

The lift and shift method is the most lucrative of all, and many organizations choose it. Besides being a cost-effective option, it is also the quickest and least troublemaking model than others.

When you migrate an application with an underlying bug and malfunctions to the cloud, it will create more trouble for you while implementing it to the new cloud-based location. Cloud management is detached from typical on-premises maintenance. 

It requires more shared obligations among your company and your cloud provider, so modernizing that app is the best approach.

Nevertheless, Mike Wood, Product Manager at Amazon Web Services, stated that many businesses opt for the lift and shift migration method as it appears to be the simplest option. Even though lifting and shifting can save time, it is not always the greatest option.

This solution is chosen because it requires almost no code modifications, making it the most cost-effective alternative. However, they underestimate the operating costs incurred after the cloud migration procedure are far more than tackling the problem in the early stages.

For that, we always recommend you look into all alternatives before deciding on the best strategy for your finances, timeline, and long-term goals.

Cloud migrations may go wrong for various reasons. While the cloud migration approach can be a big factor, the workloads you aim to migrate to the cloud can be another profound reason for failure.

It is always smart to foresee and determine if your company needs to migrate to the cloud as a whole. Even though the migration of all workloads seems a feasible option and flawless procedure, it is enormous and time-consuming.

If you migrate all workloads to the cloud, you will need more time and effort for successful cloud migration. Besides, the retraining of employees at different levels is also required. Full cloud migration can be a daunting task. However, just a few applications are still not recommended for migration since they may not be feasible.

It is worth noting that not every program, application, and component of your business infrastructure, necessarily need to migrate to the cloud. Migration techniques entail high risk and take more time, as per the scale and underlying complexities of the business infrastructure.

It is best to determine which aspects of your company would benefit from cloud migration. After knowing them, you can prioritize those elements for cloud migration. It is good to start small and gradually expand your business to the cloud.

Testing is the ground reality of successful cloud migration. The most common misconception with testing is that it needs to be done only after the cloud migration. However, that is not the case since a business can achieve successful migration by performing the test in every stage of the migration plan.

By rigorous testing at every step, you make sure of the seamless transition. Besides, you can also resolve any potential glitch in the system in its early stages. However, many organizations fail to perform adequate tests before cloud migration, exposing them to failure.

While there are several reasons to cut the testing phase, the most common is working towards impractical deadlines. Moreover, it is better not to view migration as a fast fix but rather as a well-thought method to provide real value to your business. 

Above all, consider cloud migration as constructing a new data center or information architecture where you need the same degree of preparation, research, audits, and testing.

Many businesses assume cloud migration as a data project; however, it is a complete transformation project. Businesses need to bridge the knowledge gap between continuously updating softwares and inexperienced users.

Users need to adjust to dramatically improved technology, operational adjustments, and new methods for better technical help. Education, retraining, and change management are all critical for successful cloud migration regarding IT workers.

Responsibilities will shift as you transit from old IT architectures to new business operations. Your IT personnel will have to adjust to a new working style and develop new methods to help users.

When seeking technical support, users need to get to grips with radically updated software, operational shifts, and new processes. Educating, training, and change management are just as important when it comes to IT staff too.

You can ensure successful cloud migration with the right cloud service provider, so it must be a major concern. When it comes to cloud migration, you will get three options for clouds:

1. Private cloud
2. Public cloud
3. Hybrid cloud

Every cloud service provider comes with its own gives and takes, and depending on your business needs, you can select one. Once you decide which cloud services to take, then you should ensure that they provide the following:

1. The documentation and support after migrating to the cloud.
2. Training for the new services to employees
3. Gives you complete control over the apps that are supported by the cloud service chosen as well as the bandwidth.
4. The service you have chosen is under market rules and laws.
5. A thorough understanding of the company’s data protection and cloud backup and recovery policies and duties completely.
6. A clear understanding of how and at what scale the service provider can grow their services. 

Choosing the best cloud service provider for successful cloud operations is a daunting task. However, when you get a good cloud vendor, it is always to stick with them for a long time. Moving from one cloud vendor to another frequently or even once can result in significant additional costs and unwelcome delays in your business operations. So it is best to implement the best cloud migration plan for your company.