Guide to Cloud Migration

Cloud migration has become an essential step for businesses seeking scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency. Transitioning to the cloud provides organisations with advanced technologies, improved productivity, and reduced infrastructure costs. As of 2024, 67% of companies in Australia have migrated to the cloud. This blog explores the key aspects of cloud migration, its benefits, challenges, and best practices based on insights from numerous articles. 

Why Migrate to the Cloud? 

Organisations in Australia and globally are realising the substantial benefits of migrating to the cloud. The cloud offers unparalleled scalability, enabling businesses to expand or contract resources as demand fluctuates. This is particularly advantageous for growing companies, where agility is critical. Cloud services follow a pay-as-you-go model, meaning businesses can save on upfront infrastructure costs, only paying for the resources they actively use. 

Additional benefits include enhanced collaboration, with teams able to access cloud-based applications from anywhere, bolstering productivity. Continuous delivery and innovation are also streamlined, as cloud providers offer automated software updates. Lastly, better security, disaster recovery, and data loss prevention are integral to cloud services, making cloud migration a secure and resilient choice. 

Cloud Service Models: SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS 

Understanding the different cloud service models is critical when planning a cloud migration. Each model offers varying levels of control, flexibility, and management, and the choice depends on your organisation’s needs. 

Software as a Service (SaaS)  

SaaS is the most common cloud service model and allows businesses to access software applications over the internet, hosted by third-party providers. This eliminates the need for installing and maintaining software on local machines. Well-known examples of SaaS include Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Google Workspace. 

• Advantages: SaaS offers simplicity and cost-efficiency, as businesses only need to pay for what they use on a subscription basis, and the provider handles updates, security, and maintenance. SaaS is ideal for businesses that require out-of-the-box solutions without heavy customisation. 

• Disadvantages: Customisation is limited, and businesses may need to adjust their processes to fit the software. SaaS applications may not be suitable for companies with highly specific needs. 

 Platform as a Service (PaaS)

 PaaS provides a platform that allows developers to build, test, and deploy applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. It includes pre-configured environments, tools, and libraries that enable rapid development. 

• Advantages: With PaaS, developers can focus on coding and innovation rather than managing servers or storage. PaaS environments are scalable, flexible, and ideal for collaborative development. They offer support for multiple programming languages, frameworks, and containers, making it easier to build and deploy cloud-native applications. 

• Disadvantages: PaaS solutions can introduce vendor lock-in, as migrating applications developed on one platform to another might involve significant rework. Additionally, businesses have limited control over the underlying infrastructure. 

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) 

IaaS is a more hands-on cloud model where businesses rent virtualised computing resources such as servers, storage, and networking components from cloud providers like AWS or Microsoft Azure. Unlike SaaS and PaaS, IaaS offers complete control over the infrastructure, enabling businesses to configure their own systems. 

• Advantages: IaaS provides maximum flexibility and control, making it ideal for businesses with complex or highly customised IT requirements. It enables organisations to scale their infrastructure up or down as needed, only paying for what they use. 

• Disadvantages: While IaaS offers control, it also requires more technical expertise. Managing and maintaining the infrastructure is the business’s responsibility, which can increase the complexity of the IT environment. 

Theory of Everything (ToE) in Cloud Migration 

An interesting approach to cloud migration is the Theory of Everything (ToE) in software, which draws parallels with physics’ search for a unified theory. In software, ToE refers to creating a unified model that connects system requirements with the actual code, ensuring smoother and more efficient migrations. 

Traditionally, the connection between code and system requirements weakens over time, as developers leave, and software evolves. This leads to software entropy, making systems harder to modify or upgrade. ToE addresses this by using model-driven engineering (MDE), which involves creating abstract models that capture system requirements and behaviours. These models serve as a blueprint, allowing for automated code generation and reducing the risk of accumulating technical debt. 

This approach enables businesses to modernise legacy systems incrementally, preserving the core functionality while optimising the architecture for the cloud. The ToE framework maintains a strong link between system requirements and code, making cloud migration more efficient and reducing the complexity of gradual modernisation 

7 Key Benefits of Cloud Migration: 

1. Cost Efficiency: Cloud services significantly reduce the need for on-premises infrastructure, lowering operational costs. 

2. Scalability: The cloud offers flexible scaling, allowing businesses to adjust resources in real-time.  

3. Improved Collaboration: With remote access, cloud solutions enhance teamwork across geographically dispersed teams.  

4. Security: Advanced security measures protect against cyber threats, ensuring that data is securely managed. 

5. Disaster Recovery: Cloud systems support fast, automated disaster recovery, ensuring business continuity. 

6. Automatic Updates: Providers manage updates, keeping systems current without additional overhead. 

7. Business Agility: The cloud enables faster deployment of new applications, fostering innovation and market responsiveness. 

The Access Intell case study demonstrates how cloud migration can drive business transformation. By modernising their legacy systems and shifting to a digitised business model, Access Intell improved both productivity and accessibility. The integration of multiple applications into a unified, cloud-based platform allowed users to access essential tools and information from any location. Features such as cloud-based file sharing, collaborative workspaces, and project management tools enhanced communication and efficiency across the organisation. 

Cloud Migration Strategies 

Cloud migration isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Depending on the existing infrastructure and business goals, organisations need to evaluate the most appropriate strategy. 

Cloud Migration Strategies 

When embarking on a cloud migration project, selecting the right strategy is important. Different strategies serve different business needs, and it’s essential to tailor the approach based on the organisation’s goals, resources, and infrastructure. Here are the key strategies for cloud migration: 

1. Rehosting (Lift-and-Shift) 

Rehosting involves migrating existing applications to the cloud without significant changes to the architecture. This approach is the quickest way to meet business demands but does not fully leverage cloud-native benefits such as scalability and optimisation. It’s often chosen by businesses needing a fast migration to meet immediate requirements. 

2. Refactoring 

Refactoring involves modifying the application to take advantage of cloud-native features, such as Platform as a Service (PaaS). It allows developers to use familiar frameworks while enhancing the application’s performance and scalability. This strategy is more resource-intensive than rehosting but provides greater long-term benefits. 

 3. Revising  

Revising extends the application’s existing base to support cloud functionality. It involves making necessary changes to optimise the application for the cloud environment, and then rehosting or refactoring it. This method requires significant upfront resources but offers better optimisation. 

4. Replacing 

In some cases, replacing the application entirely with a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution is the best option. This approach eliminates the need for maintaining or updating the software, but it can limit customisation options. 

5. Single Sign-On (SSO) 

Single Sign-On (SSO) is a gradual approach that enables users to log in once and access both legacy and new cloud-based systems seamlessly. This reduces the complexity and risk involved in managing multiple systems during migration. By implementing SSO, businesses can enhance user experience while reducing friction during the transition . 

6. Gradual Modernisation 

Gradual modernisation is a method that allows businesses to incrementally update their legacy systems while keeping them functional. In this approach, a proxy is placed over the existing system, allowing for new server-side code to be implemented while the legacy system remains live. This strategy is ideal for businesses seeking to reduce upfront costs and risks associated with a full-scale migration. However, it can extend the timeline of the migration process. 

And then there's a more innovative option: building on aPaaS platforms like Codebots. Codebots is a platform engineering tool that empowers businesses to build adaptable cloud systems. The aPaaS (Application Platform as a Service) model enables rapid development through model-driven engineering and reusable components, supporting DevOps practices. This option delivers faster development, with Codebots generating up to 60% of the necessary code, better performance through solid testing practices, and reusability, allowing core components to be transferred across future projects. 

Leo Mylonas, lead engineer of Codebots breaks down the legacy migration process when using a codebot:  

This approach is especially beneficial for enterprises undergoing digital transformation or modernising legacy systems. The flexibility to iterate and adapt applications allows businesses to respond faster to customer needs and future-proof their software development processes. 

Public vs Private 

Public cloud computing, offered by providers like Google, delivers resources such as virtual machines, applications, and storage over the internet on a pay-as-you-go model, making it highly cost-effective. This model is ideal for organisations needing scalable infrastructure, such as research institutions and governmental agencies. Access Intell, for instance, leverages the public cloud to meet their scalability and cost requirements. 

On the other hand, private cloud computing offers enhanced security and control, with resources accessed through a private network. This is preferred by industries with high data security needs, like the Department of Defence (DoD). WorkingMouse, for example, developed a private cloud solution for the DoD to modernise legacy systems, integrating them into the Defence Restricted Network (DRN) for better control and security. 

While public clouds are more accessible and scalable with lower upfront costs, private clouds are favoured by industries requiring strict security and compliance, often involving higher initial investments in hardware and maintenance. Public clouds also benefit from global redundancy and availability, offering superior reliability for rapidly growing businesses. However, with private clouds, organisations often manage their data themselves or outsource it for additional control. 

Hybrid Cloud: A Flexible Solution 

Many organisations are adopting hybrid cloud models, combining on-premises infrastructure with cloud services. This approach offers the flexibility to maintain sensitive data on-site while utilising cloud services for less critical operations. Hybrid clouds offer the best of both worlds, allowing businesses to gain cloud scalability while keeping data security intact. 

WorkingMouse adopted a hybrid cloud approach, utilising a private cloud for internal systems and a public cloud for non-core systems like Microsoft 365. This strategic shift has led to significant cost savings (as shown in the diagram below), optimising resource use while maintaining flexibility and security for critical systems. The hybrid model allows them to balance performance and cost efficiency, taking advantage of the scalability of public cloud services for less sensitive operations while ensuring higher control over key internal systems. 

Observations from Cloud Modernisation Projects 

Migrating to the cloud can sometimes feel like an archaeological dig, particularly when dealing with legacy systems. In these cases, identifying which applications are cloud-ready and which require redevelopment is critical. Cloud modernisation projects can be complex, requiring flexibility and a willingness to adapt as the migration process unfolds. 

Taking an iterative approach, where projects are broken into smaller, manageable phases, allows for continuous learning and problem-solving throughout the transition. This flexibility ensures smoother implementation and minimises disruption. 

Challenges of Cloud Migration 

While the benefits are clear, businesses must also contend with the challenges of cloud migration. These include: 

1. Technical Debt 

Many businesses face the challenge of technical debt when migrating legacy systems to the cloud. This is particularly true for systems that have been in operation for many years and contain outdated or redundant code. Addressing technical debt during migration requires a thorough understanding of the system’s intellectual property (IP) and its current architecture. 

2. Cultural Resistance 

Moving to the cloud often means introducing new ways of working, which can lead to resistance from staff who are used to legacy systems. Managing this transition effectively requires careful change management, ongoing training, and a clear communication strategy. 

3. Complexity of Hybrid Cloud Solutions 

Hybrid cloud solutions, while offering the best of both public and private clouds, are often difficult to plan and implement. Balancing the different requirements of the two environments can be time-consuming and complex, requiring continuous testing and optimisation. 

Common Pitfalls of Cloud Migration 

Even with its many advantages, cloud migration comes with challenges that must be carefully managed: 

• Lack of Planning: Without a well-defined migration strategy, businesses can encounter inefficiencies and hidden costs. 

• Security Risks: Poor handling of data transfers can expose businesses to security breaches. 

• Downtime: Inadequate planning can lead to significant operational disruptions during migration. 

• Unexpected Expenses: While the cloud is cost-effective, unforeseen costs can arise from data transfer and storage if not properly managed. 
  

The Technical Challenge 

Addressing the technical challenge of transitioning from legacy systems to the cloud requires a well-crafted data migration strategy. This strategy ensures a smooth shift for existing customers while maintaining comparable behaviour to the legacy system. Businesses have several options: 

• Application Programming Interface (API) 
  

• Shared database 
  

• Rewrite 

 

Each option offers advantages, but choosing the right approach depends on the specific needs and complexity of the IP. For smaller IP, rewriting allows for complete redesign, whereas APIs or shared databases can expose complex functionality in the cloud without a complete overhaul. 

Fast Beats Slow in Cloud Migration 

The pace of cloud migration can be a determining factor in an organisation’s success. Businesses that transition quickly to the cloud often gain a competitive edge over those slower to adopt. Fast movers can deploy new solutions more rapidly, scale more effectively, and respond more dynamically to market changes. 

However, speed should not come at the cost of strategy. A fast yet carefully managed migration, with thorough planning and consideration of security, costs, and application readiness, provides the best results. 

Conclusion

Cloud migration is an essential step for modern businesses looking to remain competitive in today’s digital landscape. While the journey can be complex, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. From improved scalability and cost efficiency to enhanced collaboration and security, the cloud enables businesses to operate more efficiently and innovate faster. However, a successful cloud migration requires careful planning, awareness of potential pitfalls, and a clear strategy tailored to the organisation’s unique needs. 

Whether opting for a rehost, refactor, or hybrid cloud model, businesses must focus on their goals, technical requirements, and user experience to maximise the benefits of cloud migration. As the saying goes, “It’s no longer the big that eats the small; it’s the fast that eats the slow”. Embrace the cloud, and ensure your business stays ahead of the competition. 

 

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