What are Cloud Computing and Migration Services?

Cloud computing and migration services

Cloud computing is widespread and incredibly diverse, with various services available for organisations and individuals. Cloud migration describes the process of moving resources to the cloud. There are many commercial services involved with cloud migration, with different solutions available to move data, applications, and other computing resources. Cloud migration services help organisations to move their resources to the cloud while minimising risk and avoiding business disruption.

Understanding cloud computing

Cloud computing has emerged over the past 25 years, with the name initially coined in 1996 to describe the concept of distributed computing. Over this time, it has become one of the dominant information technology paradigms shaping modern commerce and culture.

The cloud provides a decoupling of computing resources and operational workflows, which allows businesses to improve flexibility and agility across the board. With reduced IT costs, enhanced scalability, and easier access to updates, businesses of all shapes and sizes can change and grow without the overheads and burdens associated with traditional equipment and data management.

Cloud computing vs. traditional computing

To understand cloud computing, it's essential to compare cloud-based solutions with traditional computing services. The term cloud represents the internet as a whole, as a broad articulation of vast data arrays and broad information services.

Cloud computing runs on external servers facilitated by third-party hosting organisations, while traditional computing happens on internal servers and physical hard drives. Traditional computing services are dependent on specifics, from hardware equipment to devices, operating systems, and backup services. In contrast, cloud-based applications and services are virtual, which gives them much greater independence.

The many benefits of cloud computing

Cloud computing is the dominant paradigm used in modern information systems. The cloud plays a critical role in most IT plans, and it offers wide-ranging advantages linked with all aspects of business performance. Migrating to the cloud offers immediate and long-term benefits, from everyday management and security concerns to ongoing cost considerations and future scalability.

The following benefits are among the most noteworthy:

Easier and more efficient management

The cloud is much more efficient than traditional digital distribution methods, which rely on physical proximity and localisation. Organisations using the cloud enjoy tighter links between infrastructure and application, along with more flexible access to critical systems. While traditional on-premises computing systems are tied to specific places, the cloud allows people to access their entire system from any location. An agile cloud-based framework is faster to adopt, easier to manage, and much more suited to the demands of the modern world.

Improved scalability and flexibility

Regardless of how they're implemented, cloud-based services are inherently elastic. Along with more efficient management, this also enables better scalability over time. Organisations using the cloud can increase or decrease resources based on demand, which provides unmatched operational flexibility and huge cost savings. Lots of factors affect business capacity, with the cloud making it easier to deal with seasonal fluctuations, consumption patterns, and other changes. Organisations using the cloud can add or remove capacity without changing their core functionality or altering their security stance.

Cost savings and boosted cash flow

With greater efficiency comes massive cost savings. While traditional on-premises solutions can be advantageous in some situations, they lack the fluidity and extended functionality of cloud-based services. Businesses using the cloud are effectively transforming capital expenditures (CAPEX) into operating expenses (OPEX), which leads to better budgeting decisions. When computing is seen as a day-to-day expense, businesses are better equipped to streamline their offerings and balance their books. The unit cost associated with service delivery is immediately reduced, and automation helps to lower costs over time.

Improved reliability and availability

Migrating to the cloud makes it easier for businesses to deliver value. Not only are legacy computing workloads clunky and inflexible, but they also lead to bottlenecks and shutdowns due to a lack of compatibility between systems. Instead, embracing the cloud offers a streamlined approach based on default connectivity and shared data between diverse systems and stakeholders. The cloud is always on, with outcomes delivered consistently and value created faster as trust builds over time.

Enhanced security and privacy

Compared to legacy computing, the cloud offers an array of data security and privacy advantages. Most security features are built-in and designed to run as default, from monitoring and authentication controls to automated patching, data backup, and compliance tools. There are three core elements central to data security, and the cloud offers benefits for all three: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Privacy is protected on multiple fronts, the existence of large providers creates trust, and data access is ensured across locations.

Types of cloud computing services

Not all cloud computing services are the same. Organisations face differences in the scope, delivery, and operational characteristics of cloud solutions. The following models describe the vast majority of cloud-based technology solutions:

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

IaaS describes a wide array of scalable and automated computing resources. IaaS is a fully self-service model for accessing and monitoring computers, networks, storage, and numerous other services over the internet. Popular IaaS tools include DigitalOcean, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco Metapod, Microsoft Azure, and Google Compute Engine (GCE).

Platform as a service (PaaS)

PaaS describes the use of specific cloud components and tools delivered in the form of applications. PaaS is both a collection of software and a working framework for developers involved in creating custom applications. Popular PaaS tools include Windows Azure, Heroku, Google App Engine, Apache Stratos, and OpenShift.

Software as a service (SaaS)

SaaS describes specific cloud applications managed by a third-party vendor and utilised by businesses. SaaS delivers applications over the internet, most of which run directly on a web browser to enable simple installation. Popular SaaS tools include Google Workspace, Dropbox, Salesforce, Cisco Webex, and GoToMeeting.

According to Gartner, future global spending will embrace all three cloud models. SaaS spending will account for $195 billion in 2023, IaaS spending will account for $150 billion, and PaaS spending will account for $136 billion.

Cloud computing migration services

To take advantage of cloud computing services, you need to make some changes. Each organisation has different needs from the cloud, with computing assets likely to include a unique mix of products, services, databases, and applications. The cloud migration process includes a variety of services, which can be implemented at once or over an extended period.

What does cloud migration entail?

There are many ways to migrate to the cloud, with each business needing to adopt its own strategy. Cloud migration can take place on many levels, either partially or wholly. While it mostly refers to the movement away from legacy systems, it can also refer to migration from one cloud to another.

The following five cloud migration models are common, from the least disruptive strategy to the most:

1. Rehosting is a "lift and shift" IaaS strategy that involves deploying existing data and applications on a cloud server.
2. Refactoring is a "tweak and shift" PaaS strategy that involves adjusting and optimising existing applications for the cloud.
3. Revising is a "modify and shift" IaaS or PaaS strategy that involves making changes to leverage the benefits of the cloud.
4. Rebuilding is a "develop and shift" PaaS strategy that involves re-architecting to boost customisation and productivity.
5. Replacing is a "discard and shift" SaaS strategy that involves starting fresh with new applications delivered as a service.

What are the main reasons for migrating to the cloud?

Moving to the cloud is beneficial for many reasons, most of which are listed above in detail. Whether you own a small family business, manage an emerging non-profit organisation, or operate a large multinational, most of these advantages can be summarised in the following general points:

1. Operational efficiencies
2. Agility and flexibility
3. Elastic contraction and expansion
4. Faster time to value
5. Massive cost savings
6. Better security and privacy
7. Improved innovation potential

According to the Google Cloud Brand Pulse Survey from late 2022, more and more business leaders are choosing to embrace the cloud — 33.4% of respondents are planning to migrate from legacy enterprise software to cloud-based tools, and 32.8% are planning on migrating on-premises workloads to the cloud.

What steps are involved in cloud migration?

Migrating to the cloud is a multifaceted process that differs for each organisation. While some businesses migrate in one large swoop, others may take months or even years across several phases. While there is no one-size-fits-all scenario, the following four steps are suited to most situations:

1. Assessment and planning
2. Building a business case
3. Execution and refinement
4. Ongoing review and upkeep