Digital transformation is a path that many contemporary companies take. It improves efficiency, productivity, and management, as well as creates a modern, futuristic image of the company. Instead of relying on outdated legacy software and hardware, many businesses migrate to the cloud. For example, most modern online casinos (online kaszinók) are based on Cloud infrastructure. There is a number of reasons why they might be doing it. The potential benefits that come with it are enormous. Here’s a guide to preparing for cloud migration.
The why: the reason behind migrating to the cloud
As I said in the opening lines, there are multiple benefits and reasons why a business may want to move to the cloud.
Flexibility
Operating on the cloud is associated with far better scalability and flexibility. Not only can you measure your expenses by the resources used, but also scale up within minutes with a single click. Compared to on-premises hardware, you’d need to buy additional machines, which is a hassle.
Cutting costs
Cloud platforms are known for their affordability. You don’t need to pay for the electricity, setup, and maintenance, as the servers are located at data centres of the provider.
Optimising teamwork
Using cloud-based solutions for fostering team collaboration is one of the major causes of migrating. SaaS products that facilitate teamwork are fairly abundant, and the benefits they bring at cheap prices are significant.
Better security
While this may seem counterintuitive as you don’t have your data within your premises, cloud platforms provide security measures that are at the highest level. The industry has matured enough to put an emphasis on the security of users, especially because cyber-attacks are getting more and more prevalent. Live casino (élő kaszinó) can use Cloud to great advantage as it provides superior security.
Time and manpower saving
Management of on-premises hardware requires a full IT team. Instead, you could buy cloud services that would do it for you.
Workflow and business process optimisation
The previously mentioned SaaS products also help immensely with workflow, product management, and business processes.
The how: resource assessment
The preparation for the migration to the cloud takes quite a bit of planning, training and analysis.
Establishing your requirements
Make appropriate calculations as to whether the provider can meet them, and follow them up with a proof of concept.
Proof of concept
A proof of concept consists of creating a test cloud environment to establish if it meets the business requirements of your company. You also get to train your teams and let them explore the platform in search of different ways of using it.
Employee training
Prior to the migration, you’ll need to get your employees acquainted with the new processes and workflows associated with the cloud. They need to get a grip on how the platform works to maximise their productivity. As for IT management, with the cloud, it’s different compared to on-premises. You’ll need to train your programmers on the appropriate techniques of cloud computing, automation, and frameworks.
Security and management
Cloud migration might destabilise your current governance processes. Similarly to your IT department, your managers will also have to get used to the new environment and undergo a training program. Think about the security measures of a particular provider, too, to make sure that all of your data is safe and sound.
Choosing the first files
Instead of moving your most crucial information to the cloud immediately, start with small, less significant data.
Inventory check
Make a review of your current software and resources and categorise them into relationships between them. That way, you’ll have an overview of what you’re currently operating with, making the migration easier.
Cost appraisal
Depending on your solution (hybrid cloud with on-premises hardware or a public cloud), the costs will differ. Still, it’s worth looking into the provider’s data. Make sure that you got the calculations right, too. More often than not, the pricing systems of cloud services are fairly confusing.
The what: cloud strategy, providers, and types
There are a couple of strategies, providers, and types of cloud that you’ll have to look into.
Cloud-Native
Cloud-Native applications are generally more flexible and scalable. If you need to make fixes and releases constantly, then it might be the best for you.
Cloud First
The Cloud First strategy involves the fact that the applications planned ahead will be developed with the cloud in mind as the primary solution. Such a strategy also includes mapping the current architecture to prepare it for reengineering it for the cloud.
Multi-Cloud
Multi-Cloud consists of using two or more providers to build your applications. Instead of sticking with one, you get to use up the strengths of multiple suppliers to their fullest. See, some platforms are better than others regarding different aspects, and so going for Multi-Cloud might be the best in terms of price to quality ratio.
Providers
The most prominent platforms are AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Computing Services. All of them have their advantages over the competitors, though AWS is the most mature out of the three, and has, by far, the most features.
Public cloud
Public cloud is an environment that is accessible over the internet and is located within a provider’s data centre in its entirety.
Private cloud
Contrary to public cloud, private cloud’s data centre is located on the premises of an enterprise.
Hybrid cloud
Hybrid cloud is a mix between public and private, wherein your data is both on-premises and outside of them. Transporting the information between data centres is quick and hassle-free.
