Navigating Cloud Migration Challenges in 2024

48 percent of companies surveyed in 2023 have begun storing their most valuable data in the cloud. Are you considering following suit?

If so, you might be worried about the transition or feel unsure of how to support your employees through this change. That’s where this cloud migration services guide comes in.

We outline some vital suggestions for overcoming common cloud migration challenges. Read on to find out how cloud migration works and what some of the great benefits are that your business will experience when you make the move.

What Is Cloud Migration?

Cloud migration involves moving applications and data from one location (such as a private, on-site server) to another (such as a public cloud server).

There are a few different types of cloud migration your business might go through, including the following:

What Happens During the Cloud Migration Process?

Regardless of the type of cloud migration your business goes through, your data and applications will go through these phases:

Challenge 1: Not Having a Strategy at All

While some people fret over every last detail (which creates its own problems when migrating to the cloud), others assume they can just wing it.

Cloud migration takes time and planning and it is much easier (and produces results sooner) if you aren’t doing it on the fly. As you’ll see in the upcoming sections, a lack of planning is the culprit behind many of the challenges associated with cloud migration. It literally pays to be prepared.

Solution: Create a Cloud Migration Strategy First

Take some time to learn about and understand the cloud migration process and create a detailed strategy for how you’re going to move your business’s workloads to the cloud efficiently and in as low-stress a way as possible.

If you don’t know where to start when creating a cloud migration strategy, there are plenty of professionals who can help. Reach out to an expert like Exadel and ask them to work with you to develop and execute a plan.

Challenge 2: Slow Cloud Migration Process

In addition to being complex, cloud migration is challenging because it also takes time.

This added time can be frustrating when you’re trying to keep your business running and stay on top of everyday responsibilities. It’s also problematic if you don’t have a clear idea of the timeline before the cloud migration process begins.

This transition can also create additional short-term costs, especially if you’re paying for cloud and on-premises storage at the same time.

Solution: Set Realistic Expectations and Give Yourself Sufficient Time

Keep in mind that, in many cases, it’s a good thing when your cloud migration takes a while.

Ideally, the migration is performed in stages, each with in-depth testing and validation to maximize performance, security, etc. Rushing through the migration process will set you up for greater cloud migration challenges later.

That being said, you can also minimize the adverse effects of a slow migration by allocating plenty of time for the transition process.

During the planning phase, consider the estimated time it will take to move to the cloud. To overcome this cloud migration challenge, consider giving yourself some additional time as a cushion in case you run into problems.

Challenge 3: Expensive Cloud Costs

Generally, cloud migration saves money. However, some people still experience sticker shock during or after a cloud migration — understandably so, as the initial move can come with a lot of upfront costs.

This cloud migration challenge is widespread among those who don’t have a clear idea of their existing IT infrastructure, the complexity of the migration process, or their new cloud provider’s policies and procedures.

Solution: Research Your Options

Careful planning and budgeting go a long way when it comes to combating sticker shock and avoiding unpleasant surprises.

Talk to members of your IT team, as well as any specialists who are helping you with the cloud migration process so you know exactly what it will cost and why. You may also want to build margins of error into your budget so that if something ends up costing more than you were originally quoted, you can handle the added expense.

Look over the cloud provider’s policies carefully and make sure you understand them fully. That way, you won’t be caught off guard later.

Challenge 4: Lack of Ownership

Often, confusion during cloud migration results from a lack of ownership. To explain this cloud migration challenge in other words, nobody knows whom they’re supposed to contact if they have a question or run into a problem during the transition.

While the migration will, of course, benefit everyone in the long run, it can’t be everyone’s project to deal with. If there’s no ownership over this process, it will be more confusing and frustrating for your entire team.

Solution: Appoint a Leader

The solution to this cloud migration challenge is easy: appoint someone to take ownership of the transition. They will act as the leader and point of contact for all questions and concerns related to the cloud migration.

Make sure everyone knows who they need to email if they need to address something—including the team on the cloud provider’s side who may be reaching out with information throughout the process.

Challenge 5: Data Security Issues

This process can be a vulnerable time for your company.

Sometimes, organizations run into security problems when they migrate to the cloud — especially if they aren’t careful about the cloud provider they choose.

Not all cloud platforms are created equal, and some don’t have the necessary security and compliance standards in place to protect your business and your data.

Solution: Choose Your Cloud Provider Carefully

During the planning phase, make sure your cloud platform complies with all necessary data regulations and privacy laws (such as HIPAA and GDPR). Ask questions about the security standards and the specific measures they’ve taken to protect your data.

The best cloud providers offer extensive security features and options to give you peace of mind and ensure your data is protected at all times. As long as you do your due diligence when selecting a provider, you will overcome this cloud migration challenge.

Challenge 6: Insufficient Network Bandwidth

If you don’t identify the network bandwidth requirements for your cloud-powered applications, you might run into slowdowns and a poor user experience after the cloud migration.

Ideally, these applications will match or exceed the performance of their on-premise counterparts. However, if you don’t define bandwidth needs accurately, you and your team could face cloud migration challenges.

Solution: Consider Network Constraints

Consider your network needs carefully during the planning stage. Be as accurate as possible; don’t estimate and hope for the best.
To avoid this cloud migration challenge, take note of the applications that require the greatest amount of bandwidth, too, so you know which ones to test first after the migration is complete.

Challenge 7: Lack of Skills and Difficulty Adapting

The transition to a new, cloud-based platform can be extra challenging for some employees, who may feel frustrated during and after the migration and be resistant to using the new solutions. This cloud migration challenge of adapting can interfere with morale and your company’s overall productivity.

Solution: Offer Training

Be patient with your team as they navigate cloud migration challenges and adapt to new tools and technologies. Empathize with their frustration and allow time to adjust.

Give them the solutions they need to succeed. Consider hiring a cloud migration expert to offer assistance and answer questions, or provide access to tutorials and resources offered by the cloud provider.

It helps to involve your team throughout the migration, rather than springing a new platform on them. Be transparent about what’s going on and what the future holds. That way, they have time to prepare and get familiar with new tools before the switch has been finalized.

Benefits of Cloud Migration

It can be tempting to wonder if a cloud migration is worth it, especially if your current approach seems to be working just fine.

While your existing cloud migration strategy might be okay for right now, that doesn’t mean it always will be. The cloud is the future, and being slow to migrate can cause you to fall behind your competitors.

We’ve already figured out what the common cloud migration challenges are. Here are some other cloud migration benefits:

Navigating Cloud Migration Challenges with Ease

Cloud migration can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

You can bypass many of the most common cloud migration challenges by following the tips and guidelines we’ve shared above.

If you need further help, consider discussing your biggest cloud woes with other industry experts or exploring further digital information on this sometimes tumultuous topic. We post about the cloud here.