Cloud Migration Services

While cost reduction is a common motivator, most organizations migrate to the cloud for a combination of reasons. Moving to the cloud enables teams to:

• Reduce infrastructure costs through pay-as-you-go pricing.

• Increase scalability to handle fluctuating demand seamlessly.

• Improve agility with faster deployments and shorter release cycles.

• Enhance resilience through redundancy and global availability.

• Access new technologies like AI, ML, IoT, and advanced analytics.

Top Cloud Migration Drivers (AWS, Google Cloud & Microsoft Azure)

1. Cost reduction

2. Increased agility and staff productivity

3. Improved security and operational resilience

4. Hardware/software end-of-life

5. Data center consolidation

6. Digital transformation initiatives

7. Global expansion or M&A

8. Adoption of new technologies

Gartner’s 5Rs model for cloud migration strategies is a useful synopsis of the available approaches. When migrating a single application it is likely that a single approach will be opted for, however for migrations involving multiple applications there may be a case for using multiple strategies to match the needs of each application.

Rehost

Also known as “lift and shift”, rehosting deploys the existing application and data on to cloud servers. This approach is most suitable in cases where time is of the essence and there is little need for future scalability.

Refactor

Similar to rehosting, but with some development involved this approach is also called replatforming or “lift, tinker and shift”. This approach involves optimisation of the code base for the cloud and employing a platform-as-a-services (PaaS) model. Applications will retain their core architecture, but will use cloud-based tools and frameworks to allow the application to take advantage of the cloud’s potential.

Revise

Revising takes refactoring a stage further, by making both architectural and code changes before migrating to the cloud. This approach is chosen when the goal is for an existing application to take full advantage of cloud services. As this approach involves major changes to the architecture and the code an experienced team will be needed to deliver it.

Rebuild

As the name implies, this approach involves rebuilding the application from the ground up as cloud native. Rebuilding is most appropriate when there is consensus that the existing application does not suit future business needs and competitive advantage has been identified from the benefits that a cloud native architecture and code base offers. It may be surprising to learn that with the right team in place, this approach can offer both time and cost savings in comparison with other options.

Replace

Typically the replace approach will involve the migration to a third-party, vendor-based application from an existing custom or legacy application. With this approach data will be migrated to the new application, however everything else will be new. It is also likely that customisation and integration work will be required as part of this approach.

Tip: Many large migrations use a mix of strategies, applying different approaches to different workloads.

Why Many Cloud Migrations Fail

• Lack of a clear vision and aligned stakeholders.

• Poor cost modeling and inaccurate forecasts.

• Inadequate planning for people and process changes.

• Underestimating complexity and dependencies.

• Weak communication and training plans.

We focus on four pillars of success:

1. Clear Vision & Business Case

Define the “why” behind the migration and keep stakeholders aligned throughout the journey.

2. Accurate Cost Modeling

Understand both short-term costs and long-term scaling benefits to avoid surprises.

3. People & Communication

Cloud migration isn’t just a technical project — it’s an organizational change.

Training, communication, and engagement are essential to success.

4. Modern Cloud Platform Foundation

Don’t just migrate applications — build a platform to support them. This is where platform engineering comes in.