What every business owner should know about the Azure migration process?
Migrating applications and workloads to Microsoft Azure requires a well-structured approach. Whether you are a seasoned IT professional or a business owner, a strategic roadmap is crucial for successfully migrating to Azure and optimal utilization of Microsoft’s powerful cloud platform. We have compiled a four-step process to ensure a seamless transition to Microsoft Azure.
Step 1: Evaluation
- Start the migration project by engaging with key stakeholders. Conduct a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis for your current deployment and identify components of your application that could benefit from migration.
Additionally, it is important to assess the suitability of applications for a cloud environment and determine the necessary modifications for smooth cloud operation. Key considerations during the assessment phase include:
Networking
- Create a virtual network to maintain performance and stability, similar to the on-premise data center. Determine the required number of subnets and decide on DNS management through an active directory or Azure DNS service.
Storage
- Review Azure storage services and choose a solution based on allowed operations per second and data nature.
Scalability
- Explore Azure autoscale for dynamic application scaling, but conduct thorough cost modeling before implementation.
Utilize Azure tools for application assessment, receiving automated recommendations for CPU, disk size, storage requirements, network architecture, capacity, performance, high availability, resiliency, and ongoing maintenance.
- Two essential tools for this phase are the Virtual Machine Readiness Assessment tool and the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) toolkit. These tools inspect assets and provide a checklist for cloud migration. MAP toolkit is an inventory, assessment, and reporting tool for various environments migrating to Azure.
Stage 2: Migration
- In this stage, you must choose an Azure migration strategy that aligns with your requirements. Once the approach is determined, identify the tools and technologies essential for migrating each application.
Key considerations for the migration stage include:
Azure Hybrid Cloud Solutions
- Assess the need for using Azure’s hybrid cloud solutions to enhance flexibility.
Office 365 Suitability
- Determine if specific workloads suit Microsoft’s Office 365 environment better than Azure.
Infrastructure Choices
- Decide whether to run applications on traditional VMs or containers or leverage serverless functions based on your specific requirements.
Machine Migration Challenges
- Address challenges related to migrating machines with higher capacity or specialized hardware requirements not supported by standard Azure VM sizes.
Stage 3: Optimize
- Continuous monitoring is crucial to identify areas for improvement even after successfully deploying an application on the cloud. During the optimization stage, focus on the following key considerations:
Cost Monitoring
- Regularly monitor costs and identify opportunities to optimize expenses through a refined mix of Azure services or enhanced automation.
Performance Evaluation
- Continuously monitor performance to ensure alignment with migration goals, aiming to maintain or surpass the performance achieved in the on-premises model.
Future Planning
- Look beyond immediate migration goals and plan for the future, considering how to leverage Azure for additional capabilities and reinvest for ongoing advancements.
This stage is important for the sustained operation and enhancement of applications in the cloud.
Stage 4: Secure and Manage
- Key considerations for the secure and manage stage are:
Security
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the security posture of your new cloud-based application. Regularly test security measures, respond to anomalies, and stay up-to-date with Azure’s extensive security recommendations and tools.
Data Protection
Implement protective measures such as backup, disaster recovery, and encryption, aligning with compliance requirements and business risks. Leverage Azure’s range of services and mechanisms to protect your data.
Monitoring
Monitor the performance of computing and data services, utilizing tools like Azure Traffic Manager, NewRelic, or AppDynamics for real-user monitoring.
Help your business drive higher win rates and revenue growth by joining hands with Henson Group. Henson Group is the Global Azure Expert MSP that helps businesses increase accessibility and productivity. Get in touch today for free migration, training, and outright support.