Exploring the 7 Most Common Cloud Migration Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Over recent years, businesses have been moving to the cloud for a variety of reasons, with perhaps the biggest reason being to reduce costs. However, there are many other reasons, such as agility, scalability and security. But what about the ever-prevalent cloud migration challenges? 

Worryingly, there are many cloud migration challenges that can impact your business adversely if the migration itself is not properly planned or managed. 

And the more challenges you face, the more costly the migration process is. For instance, roughly 75% of all cloud migration projects run over budget, while 37% run behind schedule.

To help you avoid these costly mistakes, this blog post will discuss the 7 most common cloud migration challenges businesses face and how to overcome them, so that your cloud migration project goes right on the first attempt.

What is Cloud Migration and Why are More Businesses Doing it?

Cloud migration is the process of moving data, applications, and other business processes from on-premise servers to the cloud. This involves transitioning from an existing IT infrastructure to a new cloud-based platform or migrating from one cloud platform to another.

There are many benefits of using cloud technology, such as improved scalability, agility, and cost savings. And businesses have become increasingly aware of these benefits with more than 94% of companies now using some form of cloud computing.

The Top 7 Most Common Cloud Migration Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Whether you’re planning a lift and shift migration, joining a public cloud or taking a privately hosted data center approach, learning these most common cloud migration challenges and how to surpass them will help you have a successful first-time adoption.

1. Lack of Expertise in Cloud Technology

This is one of the more common cloud migration challe

nges that businesses face when migrating to the cloud. 

Many organizations don’t have the necessary technical know-how to migrate their data and applications successfully, which can lead to a range of issues such as data loss and application malfunctions.

The best way to overcome this challenge is by working with an experienced cloud migration partner who has experience in your industry and understands the complexities of cloud adoption. This will ensure that your transition to a cloud service is successful and cost effective.

2. Poor Planning 

A lack of proper planning and a poor cloud migration strategy can cause many headaches during a cloud migration project, resulting in delays, increased costs, and even data loss if not managed properly.

To avoid this, it’s important to have a detailed cloud migration management plan. This includes planning out the timeline, budget, business objectives and tasks that will need to be completed during the migration. Doing so will ensure a smooth transition while minimizing risks and delays. 

3. Security Concerns 

Businesses are often hesitant to move their data to the cloud due to security concerns. 

However, many cloud providers offer robust security measures such as encryption and access control, which can protect your cloud data from unauthorized access or tampering. 

When selecting a cloud provider, make sure you understand their security measures before making any commitments. Furthermore, it’s also important to have an audit process in place for monitoring the compliance of your cloud deployment. 

4. Data Migration Complexity

The cloud migration process can be a complex and time-consuming task, especially if you have large amounts of data to migrate or if the data is stored in different locations. This can lead to delays in the migration process and increase costs due to manual intervention.

The best way to overcome this challenge is by using cloud-based automated tools that can help simplify the migration process and save time. As well, it’s important to have a reliable backup plan in place so that any data that cannot be migrated successfully can be restored quickly. 

5. Legacy System Compatibility Issues 

Many businesses use legacy systems that were not designed for cloud computing, and trying to integrate these systems into a cloud infrastructure can be challenging. This can cause application disruptions, data loss, and even system crashes if not done correctly. 

To overcome this challenge, it’s important to first assess the compatibility of your legacy systems with the cloud platform you are migrating to. Additionally, it may be necessary to make modifications to your existing systems in order for them to work in the cloud environment.

6. Poor Project Management 

Poor project management is one of the most common causes of delays when migrating to the cloud. Many businesses fail to plan out their migration timeline or don’t have adequate resources allocated for the task, which can lead to a long and costly process that drags on for months or years. 

To avoid this, it’s important to have a detailed project plan in place that outlines the timeline, budget, and tasks that will need to be completed during the migration. Also, make sure you allocate the necessary resources for your cloud migration project so that it can be completed efficiently. 

7. Cost Overruns 

Migrating to the cloud can be expensive, especially if not managed properly. In addition to the costs of hardware and software licenses, businesses often fail to factor in additional costs such as training and consulting fees. This can lead to cost overruns if not planned for adequately. 

To avoid this challenge, it’s important to research different cloud providers and their pricing plans before selecting a service. Additionally, it’s important to factor in additional costs such as training and consulting fees when creating your migration budget. This can help you avoid any potential cost overruns during the migration process. 

By understanding the common challenges of cloud migration and how to address them, businesses can ensure a smooth transition to the cloud that is both successful and cost effective. With careful planning and leveraging managed services, businesses can migrate their data quickly and efficiently, avoiding unnecessary delays or costs.

Mitigating Cloud Migration Challenges with the Help of a Professional MSP Like Antisyn

For businesses that don’t have the resources or expertise to handle a cloud migration on their own, partnering with an experienced managed service provider (MSP) can be a great way to ensure a successful transition. 

By leveraging our expertise and experience in the cloud industry, we are able to help you plan for your cloud migration needs and identify any potential issues before they occur. We also offer ongoing optimization of your cloud environment so that it remains secure, compliant and cost-effective over time. 

At Antisyn, we understand that cloud migration can be a daunting and complex process. That’s why our team of professionals are here to help you every step of the way, providing the support and expertise you need to ensure a successful transition to the cloud. 

Contact us today to learn more about our cloud migration services and how we can help your business succeed.