<p>Cloud computing has certainly paved a path towards higher productivity for numerous businesses across the globe; simplifying every aspect of computing. Today, the so-called &lsquo;cloud&rsquo; &ndash; powered by the internet &ndash; is well-accepted as a reliable platform for storage, and executing applications seamlessly. Identifying its operational efficiency, scalability, and flexibility, more and more organizations are trying to migrate their on-premise IT environments to the cloud. In fact, we are witnessing a full-scale transition towards the &lsquo;cloud era&rsquo; - where the use of hardware devices and cables will be drastically minimized.</p><p><br></p><h2><strong>The Cloud-first Policy</strong></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Gartner predicts that, by 2020, an enterprise &quot;no-cloud&quot; policy will be non-existent. Today, &lsquo;cloud-first&rsquo; and the &lsquo;cloud-only&rsquo; approach is gradually taking the IT landscape by storm.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">To identify and solve those challenges, initially, you need to understand the value proposition of the <a href="https://7edge.com/blog/iaas-paas-saas-which-cloud-model-meets-your-needs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">three tiers of cloud services</a>, which are:</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">SaaS (Software-as-a-Service)</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service)</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service)</span></li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong>Why Migrate from On-Premise IT Infrastructure to the Cloud?</strong></h2><p><br></p><p>As you can see, the possibilities in the cloud are limitless and innovative. Still clueless about <a href="https://7edge.com/blog/6-business-benefits-of-moving-to-the-cloud" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">why your business should migrate to the cloud?</a> Perhaps the below-mentioned benefits of cloud adoption can shed some light:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Operational Agility</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Enhanced Security</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;User-friendly Interface</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Mobility</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Promotes a Collaborative Environment</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Zero Server Maintenance Costs</span></li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong>What Makes the Cloud More Secure than On-Premise IT Infrastructure?</strong></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">It&#39;s an undeniable fact that where there are massive amounts of data, the risk of security breaches arise. Irrespective of the platforms, on-premise or cloud, data security holds paramount importance at all times.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">You already know the benefits of cloud migration, now its time to focus on the <a href="https://7edge.com/blog/why-is-cloud-computing-security-more-reliable" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">security aspects of cloud</a>. Below mentioned are the key security features that make the cloud stand apart from the traditionally deployed on-premise IT infrastructures:&nbsp;</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Top-Notch Surveillance</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Cloud Expertise</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Regular Audits and Updates</span></li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong><strong>How Can Cloud Migration Help Optimize Your IT costs?</strong></strong></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">It is evident that the benefits of cloud migration are numerous. Moreover, they all point towards a crucial point &ndash; it drives cost savings. Large and medium-sized organizations across the globe have already realized this. So, <a href="https://7edge.com/blog/advantages-of-cloud-computing-how-it-helps-reduce-costs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">how can cloud optimize your IT costs?</a></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Mentioned below are some crucial areas where the cloud saves big bucks for businesses.</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;No Capital Costs</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;No Maintenance Costs</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Lower Energy Costs&nbsp;</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;No Disaster Recovery Costs</span></li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong><strong>Benefits of Migrating Applications to the Cloud</strong></strong></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Business applications are on the rise - a fact that most enterprises are gradually getting acquainted with. Indeed, cloud is the most flexible option available for staging those applications in today&rsquo;s technology landscape. Simply put, the <a href="https://7edge.com/blog/4-Benefits-of-cloud-computing-realized-post-migration" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">benefits of migrating applications to the cloud</a> are:</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Simplified Management</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Faster Than Ever</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;No Breaches</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Extensive Support</span></li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong><strong>Key Points To Know Before Migrating Applications to the Cloud</strong></strong></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Migrating applications can be a tricky process sometimes. But, if you adopt the right approach, you can definitely see the brighter side of cloud technology.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">The following <a href="https://7edge.com/blog/6-key-points-to-know-before-migrating-applications-to-cloud" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">checklist explains everything</a>:</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Understand the 5 R&rsquo;s of Cloud Migration</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Know Your Applications</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Be Good at Predicting Your Application&rsquo;s Performance</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Consider Cost Optimization Early</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Implement a Disaster Recovery Plan</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Look Out for Migration Tools</span></li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong><strong>Cloud Migration Best Practices</strong></strong></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">A lot has been said about the potential benefits of cloud migration. Now, let&rsquo;s focus on the best practices that enterprises need to consider before they initialize the cloud migration process.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Step 1 -&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Invest in a Cloud Architect or a Team of Cloud Administrators</span></p><p dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Step 2 -&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Organize Training and Certification Programs</span></p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><strong>How to Cut Down Cloud Migration Costs?</strong></span></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Cloud migration, apart from being a sophisticated and time-consuming process, it also requires businesses to shell out a considerable amount of money. Indeed, budget planning is a crucial task that has to be carried out before initializing the migration.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">In a gist, your cloud migration efforts should effectively cover the three areas&mdash;the company&rsquo;s ROI goals; the company&rsquo;s assets that are planned to be migrated to the cloud; and the cloud provider&rsquo;s efficiency.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Moreover, the below-mentioned key points can shed some light on how effectively you can make a headway in <a href="https://7edge.com/blog/3-crucial-ways-to-reduce-your-cloud-migration-costs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cloud migration cost optimization</a>.</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Know Your Applications And Map Them</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Inject the Right Technology</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Know Your Cloud Storage Needs</span></li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong><strong>Industries that Realize the Potential Benefits of Cloud Migration</strong></strong></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">You may think that the benefits of cloud migration are only relevant for certain businesses and industries. But in reality, businesses in almost every industry have benefited from switching to the cloud. You can see what we mean in some of the examples below, proving that <a href="https://7edge.com/blog/6-industries-that-realize-benefits-of-cloud-migration" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">large and SMBs from diverse industrial sectors benefit from the cloud</a>.</span></p><p><strong><br></strong></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">T</span><span style="font-size: 18px;">ravel</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Food Production</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Entertainment</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Healthcare</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Media</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Telecom</span></li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong><strong>AWS vs Google Cloud vs Microsoft Azure</strong></strong></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">With so many cloud platforms out there, it is important for enterprises to make the right choice and choose the best one. At the moment, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is out in front as the best cloud vendor available in the marketplace.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">But, <a href="https://7edge.com/blog/comparison-between-industry-leading-cloud-platforms" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">what makes AWS stand apart from other major cloud platforms</a>&mdash;such as the Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure?</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Precisely speaking, following are the key benefits of AWS that give businesses a competitive edge in the marketplace:&nbsp;</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Exceptional computing capability</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Massive storage</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Best-in-class analytics</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Data Centers spread across the globe</span></li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong>How Can AWS Support You In Your Cloud Journey</strong></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">The cloud era, as we know, is dominated by the AWS&mdash;embedded with the best-of-breed cloud features. However, most enterprises are unclear about the level of flexibility and efficiency rendered by the industry-leading platform. It is this lack of clarity that comes in between AWS implementation and the success of enterprises. Perhaps the below-mentioned points can help understand AWS better.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Engineered with an ability to foresee the future, AWS can...</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Lead your business to the knowledge of cloud</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Choose how you use the cloud</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Address security</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Provide training</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;Drive fast outcomes</span></li></ul><p><br></p><h2><strong>Parting Words</strong></h2><p><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px;">It is undeniably true that in years to come, the scope of cloud computing will continue to evolve as the need for innovation, flexibility, and ease of use increase. Unfortunately however, for many enterprises and budding startups, cloud migration and security will still be a challenge for quite some time. To reap the maximum benefits of cloud and stay ahead of the curve in business, overcoming these challenges with a strategic approach will be the only viable option.</span></p><p><br></p>