GUEST OPINION: As we stand on the precipice of progress in almost all aspects of our lives, the increased scalability, flexibility, and cost saving benefits associated with migrating to the cloud cannot be overstated.

However, it also brings a set of challenges and concerns organisations must address and overcome, not only to ensure the migration is successful, but to ensure they’re able to take full advantage of the benefits.

In addition to reduced capital expenditure, enhanced collaboration, and the ability to scale resources on demand, migrating to a cloud infrastructure facilitates flexibility and cost-efficiency that will pave the way for organisations’ digital transformation journey.

Gartner forecasts that global end-user spending on public cloud services will grow to nearly US$600 billion in 2023, with cloud computing propelling the future of business. Australia alone is expected to spend $19.9 billion on public cloud services in 2023, an increase of nearly 20% from 2022.

A recent survey of IT decision makers uncovered that over 54% of large enterprises struggle with their cloud migration strategy. Organisations must embrace cloud migration as a strategic shift that encompasses not only technological changes, but also cultural and operational adjustments.

“Cloud migration” as a concept can be tricky to decipher as the term can refer to either of two scenarios: migration or transition of data, applications, and services from on-premises infrastructure to cloud-based platforms, or, migrating or relocating from one cloud vendor to another.

Enterprises are racing to embrace the cloud; however, they need to be mindful of the bottlenecks apparent through many steps of the transition. Riddled with obstacles, a successful cloud migration strategy requires careful consideration of IT assets and precise planning and execution in every step along the way. From the intricate systems showing compatibility issues to dealing with the complexity of data transfer and application adaptability, striking a balance between a smooth migration and preserving functionality is a delicate undertaking.

Rip the lid off the bottlenecks
A clear understanding of the various applications and corresponding hardware is crucial when devising a cloud migration strategy. Complex environments will need a carefully curated plan to avoid mishaps such as unexpected delays, workflow interruptions and cost discrepancies.

It’s necessary to keep applications working together in delivering a cohesive business functionality to combat management complexity. Hence, understanding application dependencies and devising a custom plan suited for an organisation’s specific environment is migration 101.

One of the most pressing concerns for organisations during cloud migration is protecting sensitive information throughout the process. The potential for data breaches and vulnerabilities are high during the transition, and as such demands a comprehensive strategy to safeguard digital assets.

Transitioning to the cloud can also necessitate downtime during the migration process, which can impact business operations. Where certain services are dependent on the data being migrated, the availability of business applications can be affected, and latency can occur if not planned correctly.

Seamless integration of existing systems with cloud-based services is essential for uninterrupted operations. The challenge lies in harmonising diverse technologies and ensuring smooth data flow between on-premises and cloud environments.

What is the next step?
The path to cloud migration tests an organisation’s technical expertise and strategic foresight. Navigating data security, application complexity, and interoperability hurdles demands meticulous planning and a clear understanding of the cloud landscape.

In 2024 we will see leaps forward in the integration of edge computing, AI-driven automation, containerisation and serverless computing presents new opportunities for organisations to leverage the cloud’s transformative potential.

With the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the integration of edge computing with cloud services will gain prominence. Organisations must strategise to leverage the combined power of cloud and edge for real-time processing and enhanced user experiences.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will play a pivotal role in streamlining cloud migration processes. Predictive analysis and automation will optimise resource allocation, enhance security and expedite decision-making.

Containerisation technologies like Kubernetes will continue to reshape cloud migration strategies. Containers provide portability and scalability, simplifying application deployment and management across diverse environments.

Serverless computing models will evolve further, allowing organisations to focus on code without worrying about infrastructure management. This trend offers cost savings and agility while posing challenges in monitoring and optimising resource utilisation.

By embracing innovation, staying informed about emerging trends, and adopting agile strategies, businesses can successfully navigate the challenges and reap the rewards of a well-executed cloud migration journey.