Whether you’re expanding or preparing to switch providers, cloud migration can be a daunting process.
This experience can be especially scary if you’re prepping to move an application.
We’ve all heard the horror stories. A migration gone wrong can lead to anything from a network going down for weeks to people losing all their data without having a backup. But, most of the time cloud migration is well worth the risk.
Here are seven life-saving tips for anyone who’s getting ready to move an application to the cloud.
1. Security Is Everyone’s Business
Network security should always be the first and last word when transferring data anywhere.
Before, during, and after the move, you need to keep a finger on your security. Making sure that your application and all your sensitive information stays safe should always be your priority.
If more than one person has access to your application, make sure everyone has their own account and login information. Account sharing can make it hard to keep track of exactly who is accessing your system at any given time.
You should also make sure that everyone who can access the system is practicing safe login methods. Make a point to check all passwords for strength and change them every few months. You should also never share passwords.
A two-step verification process can also help take your security to the next level and keep your systems that much safer.
Finally, you should encrypt all your data and any copies you have of that data. Many cloud migration services offer encryption as part of their regular package.
2. Take Your Time
Cloud migration is not like moving to a new office. There are no hard closing dates, and you won’t ever have to worry about getting kicked off your old system before your new system is ready.
More often than not, there aren’t a lot of hard deadlines associated with cloud migration. So, you don’t have to worry about having to rush through the process.
When it comes to cloud migration, you should feel free to move at whatever pace you feel most comfortable with.
Take your time and make sure you have checked and rechecked everything, and put the proper backups in place just in case something goes wrong.
Rushing through anything can lead to “dumb” mistakes. But, trying to speed your way through cloud migration could result in you permanently losing something important.
So, it’s best to play it safe and take your time when preparing to move your application. It’s not a race, and you’ll probably wind up being thankful you gave yourself the time.
3. Have a Plan
When getting ready for a move of any kind, the first thing you need to do is create your gameplan.
You need to figure out what you’re moving, where you’re it, how you’re going to get it there, and what needs to happen once the move is complete.
Depending on where your application is currently hosted, you’ll need to determine what needs to happen once you remove all your data.
You’ll also need to take the time to figure out if there’s anything left that you aren’t planning on migrating.
Once you have a plan in place, you’ll need to share that information with anyone involved with the move.
By sitting down and coming up with a full plan ahead of time, you’ll be able to save yourself a lot of headaches as you move ahead with the migration.
4. Have a Backup for Your Backup
So, you thought you had everything in place for the big move. You took your time, you put together a solid plan, you had your data locked down tighter than Fort Knox, but something still went wrong.
Everything you were trying to migrate vanished without a trace, now what?
If you took the time to create a hard backup of your application, then the path forward would be very clear. You could move forward with your cloud migration without missing a step.
Creating a backup of the application you’re trying to move is one of the most important things you should do before attempting a cloud migration.
Save all your important data onto a hard drive or separate server, or even onto a couple of extra hard drives or separate servers.
5. Knowledge is Key
If this cloud migration is in conjuncture with a business, odds are you’re not the only person the move is going to affect.
Before the migration, you should consider taking the time to run through everything your team is going to need to know about the new system.
Once the migration has taken place, go over this information again to make sure everyone is able to access everything they need to.
By sharing this information with your team ahead of time, you can cut back on confusion and potential error after the migration.
6. Doublecheck Your Path
Before you hit that final switch, you may want to think about sending a guinea pig through the pipes first.
It doesn’t matter if you have all your data backed up elsewhere. By making sure everything makes it over the first time you try it, you can cut back on your applications downtime.
Send a small test over to the cloud before sending everything else. If something goes wrong, you’ll be glad you took the time to check everything first.
7. Find the Right Cloud Service Provider
Before you do anything, you need to make sure you’re using the right cloud service provider for your application.
Having the right provider in your corner is the only way to ensure your migration runs smoothly. Take the time to read up on all the services the provider offers and check the satisfaction of other users.
If you’re getting ready to move to the cloud and are trying to find the right service provider for you, you may want to take a look at this service.
Preparing for Cloud Migration
Sure, there’s a lot that can go wrong when moving around a lot of vital data and programming. But, if you know how to prepare for cloud migration and take the time to plan ahead of time, you can save yourself a lot of time and headaches.
Are you looking for a few more networking tips and tricks to help you get your business running at its best? We can help.
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