Cloud Migration: Step by Step to the Cloud
The cloud offers opportunities: scalability, lower costs, better security and flexibility. But a migration is not something you just arrange. It requires a well-thought-out plan, the right preparation and careful execution. This is the step-by-step plan.
Why Organisations Are Moving to the Cloud
The benefits are clear — but the approach determines success.
More and more organisations are moving their IT infrastructure to the cloud. And not without reason. The cloud offers scalability that on-premise solutions cannot match, pay per use instead of investing upfront, and benefit from security levels that are unattainable for most companies on their own.
Yet we see that migrations regularly fail or fall short. Not because the cloud is inadequate — but because the approach is wrong. Organisations underestimate the complexity, start without a clear plan or choose the wrong migration strategy. The result: cost overruns, downtime and frustration.
In this article, we provide a concrete step-by-step plan for a successful cloud migration. Based on our own experience migrating customers from traditional hosting to the cloud.
- Scalability, cost savings and better security in the cloud
- A well-thought-out plan is essential for success
- The right approach prevents cost overruns and downtime
Step 1: Map Your Current Situation
Before you migrate, you need to know what you have.
The first step is always: inventory. What is currently running? Which applications, databases, files and services exist? What are the interdependencies? Which data is business-critical and what can actually be removed?
This inventory seems simple, but do not underestimate it. Many organisations discover applications or services during this process they did not know existed — the so-called "shadow IT". The more complete your inventory, the smoother the migration will go.
We start every migration with a thorough analysis. We map not only what is running, but also how it performs, what it costs and what risks exist. That provides a clear picture of the starting situation and forms the basis for the migration plan.
- Inventory all applications, databases and services
- Watch for shadow IT: hidden systems you did not know about
- Analyse performance, costs and risks of each component
Step 2: Choose the Right Migration Strategy
Not every application requires the same approach.
There are several ways to migrate to the cloud. The most common strategies are: rehost (move as-is), refactor (adapt for the cloud), replatform (minor adjustments for cloud compatibility) and rebuild (rebuild for the cloud). Which strategy fits best depends on the application, costs and desired results.
Not every application needs to be migrated in the same way. Sometimes rehost is the fastest route for simple workloads, while business-critical applications benefit from a rebuild. It is important to determine the best strategy per application rather than choosing one approach for everything.
We always advise our clients to start with the least complex applications. That gives the team experience with the cloud and delivers quick results. The more complex applications follow afterwards, with the knowledge and experience gained.
- Rehost, refactor, replatform or rebuild — choose per application
- Start with simple workloads for quick results
- Adapt the strategy based on complexity and importance
Step 3: Prepare the Cloud Environment
A solid foundation prevents problems during and after migration.
Before you migrate anything, the cloud environment must be ready. That means: the right servers, networks, security settings and monitoring. A well-designed cloud architecture takes into account scalability, security, backups and disaster recovery.
Many organisations make the mistake of only setting up the cloud environment during the migration. That leads to rushed work, errors and unexpected costs. By setting up and testing the environment in advance, the migration goes smoothly and without surprises.
We always design the cloud environment in advance. With Infrastructure as Code (IaC), we ensure the environment is reproducible and consistent. Everything is tested in a staging environment before going to production.
- Setup of servers, networks and security in advance
- Infrastructure as Code for reproducible environments
- Testing in staging before going to production
Step 4: Migrate, Test and Optimise
The actual move requires care and testing.
With good preparation, the actual migration is manageable. We migrate in batches — not everything at once. Per batch, we move a group of applications, test their operation and check performance. Only when a batch is successful does the next one follow.
After the migration, the real work begins: optimisation. The cloud offers capabilities you did not have on-premise. By applying right-sizing of resources, setting up auto-scaling and implementing monitoring, you get the most out of your cloud environment. Costs go down, performance improves and security strengthens.
We remain involved after the migration to monitor, optimise and adjust. A migration is not a one-off project — it is the beginning of a new way of working.
- Migrate in manageable batches with testing per step
- Right-sizing and auto-scaling for optimal performance
- Continuous monitoring and optimisation after migration
Frequently Asked Questions About Cloud Migration
Answers to questions we often receive.
How long does a cloud migration take?
That depends on the size and complexity. A simple migration of a few servers is completed within 2 to 4 weeks. A full migration of a complex IT environment takes 3 to 6 months.
What does a cloud migration cost?
Costs vary strongly per situation. A simple migration starts from €5,000. More complex migrations with many applications and integrations start from €15,000. We always provide a custom quote after an inventory.
Is the cloud more secure than on-premise?
In most cases, yes. Cloud providers invest billions in security and have teams working 24/7 to protect infrastructure. For most organisations, the cloud is more secure than their own server room.
Can I go back to on-premise if the cloud does not work out?
Yes, but that is not advisable. The cloud offers benefits that on-premise cannot match. If the migration is well prepared and executed, the benefits are almost always greater than the drawbacks.
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