Migrating to the cloud | Top 6 challenges
Published: 2024-01-04 11:30:47

Cloud migration, in general terms, refers to the process of moving applications, data and services from local infrastructures or physical servers to cloud computing environments. Instead of relying on local physical hardware and resources, organizations use cloud services to store, process and access their data and applications over the Internet.

In today’s digital era, migrating to the cloud has become a crucial step for companies looking to optimize their operations and remain competitive in an ever-evolving marketplace. However, this process is not without significant challenges that can affect the efficiency and success of the transition.

## 1. DATA SECURITY.
Some of the associated risks include data loss, system disruption, unnecessary expenses and data security risk. To ensure security during the migration process, requirements such as selecting reliable cloud providers, assessing security risks, and protecting sensitive data must be considered.
It is paramount to perform data migration in a secure manner to avoid exposing data to unauthorized third parties. In addition, it is recommended to verify the integrity and consistency of the data once migrated, establish backup and recovery mechanisms, and implement early-stage testing to introduce security into the development pipeline.

## 2. TECHNICAL COMPLEXITY.
Cloud migration involves the transfer of systems, data, and applications to a different technological environment, which can generate significant technical complexities. This challenge encompasses aspects such as integrating existing systems with cloud services, optimizing performance in the new environment, and managing the cloud architecture to ensure scalability and operational efficiency.
Migrating to the cloud requires a thorough systems analysis to determine what resources to upload and what not to upload, as well as the adoption of a multi-layered approach that combines technology, processes, and people to ensure security in the deployment of these online resources.
Having an expert cloud migration service provider and trusted cloud partner is critical to effectively address these challenges.

## 3. EFFICIENT COST MANAGEMENT.
Some of the key aspects of achieving this efficient management include comparing the costs of maintaining on-premises infrastructure with cloud costs, calculating the total cost of ownership (TCO) for cloud migration, and using cloud automation to save costs.
Cloud service providers offer various cost management tools and services that enterprises can leverage to monitor, analyze, and optimize their costs. In addition, it is essential to define migration metrics, improve visibility and predictability of migration costs, and document cost variations during the migration process.

## 4. CULTURAL RESILIENCE AND STAFF TRAINING.
Cultural resistance manifests itself when teams do not understand why they should migrate to the cloud and perceive the migration as more difficult than expected.
On the other hand, migration to the cloud affects culture and working practices, so change management and staff training are critical aspects to consider.

## 5. SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY MANAGEMENT.
This challenge involves addressing differences in cloud platform requirements and features, as well as differences in software versions and changes in data storage and processing methods. Before starting the migration process, it is essential to assess the compatibility of existing software with the selected cloud platform to avoid integration issues and ensure a smooth transition.

## 6. ASSURE THE SOFTWARE QUALITY OF THE NEW SYSTEM.
Cloud migration projects are often seen as highly technical projects, where functional teams are not involved and the BIG CHALLENGE of software quality assurance of the new system arises.
From the planning phase (where requirements are established and critical data is identified), to the execution of the migration (where extensive testing is carried out), the functional teams, such as business analysts, developers, UX/UI designers, testers, QA, implementation specialists, end users, etc., play crucial roles. Change management, data validation and acceptance testing with end users are key to ensuring the integrity and consistency of the migrated information. Together, the effective collaboration of these teams ensures a successful migration and [SIPSA ](https://www.sipsa.net/en/)has the tools and expertise to tackle these projects [implementing Quality](https://www.sipsa.net/en/quality_digital_transformation/).

## Conclusion
In this journey, as organisations that address these challenges holistically, the smartest thing to do is to go with a partner who brings the expertise to successfully arrive at the destination, key to not only surviving, but thriving in the era of continuous innovation and taking advantage of the transformative opportunities that the cloud offers.

Shall we accompany you? For more information contact us by clicking [here](https://www.sipsa.net/en/#contacto).