Cloud Migration Strategies for Legacy IT Systems

For organizations looking to modernize their infrastructure, migrating legacy information technology (IT) systems to the cloud is a critical step that comes with additional cost-reduction and scalability benefits. However, this process isn't always straightforward, and information technology professionals must take care to avoid some common mistakes throughout the process.

By considering best practices for cloud migration—including lift-and-shift, replatforming, and refactoring—while avoiding major errors, IT professionals can help businesses future-proof their operations and unlock the full potential of cloud computing.

Why Cloud Migration Is Crucial for Legacy IT Systems

IT clients may ask, "Why do we need to migrate to a cloud-based platform, anyway?"

There are numerous benefits of cloud migration for legacy systems, along with some specific challenges to consider in regard to maintaining legacy systems that may be worth communicating to your clients as well.

The Challenges of Maintaining Legacy Systems

First, there's the issue of cost. Businesses may have trouble finding developers familiar with the outdated technology found in legacy systems. This, in turn, can increase maintenance expenses, according to ScienceDirect. Older systems also tend to need more security updates and patches and, without regular maintenance, you could end up with serious security vulnerabilities.

Businesses should also consider that older systems might no longer comply with industry laws and regulations (particularly those related to data privacy), which could result in compliance and legal problems down the road.

The Benefits of Cloud Migration

By migrating legacy IT systems to the cloud, businesses of all sizes can enjoy a wide range of benefits right away, according to the International Journal of Communications, Network and System Sciences. For starters, many businesses will find that they can cut down on costs significantly by making the switch because they no longer need to deal with the hassles of storing and maintaining IT equipment on site.

Meanwhile, for businesses looking to scale and grow in the coming years, a cloud-based platform offers the flexibility needed to do so practically on demand, without the need for major overhauls or infrastructure improvements.

Combine all of this with the added layer of security that cloud-based systems can provide. This means security features such as automatic data backups, disaster recovery strategies, and other redundancies to protect information.

Future-Proofing Your IT Systems Through Cloud Migration

Making the switch from a legacy IT system to a cloud-based platform can be complex and time-consuming. However, considering the potential cost-saving benefits as well as the potential to scale and improve overall security, cloud migration is a smart move for many businesses. The key, of course, is knowing how to choose the migration strategy that's right for your client and executing the migration as carefully as possible. From there, you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that you've taken steps to future-proof your client's IT systems for years to come.

Types of Cloud Migration Strategies

For IT professionals asked to assist with migrating legacy IT systems to a cloud-based platform, there are several options to consider.

The “Lift-and-Shift” Approach

One of the most common approaches used in migrating legacy IT systems to the cloud is known as "lift-and-shift." With this strategy, existing applications are moved from an on-site setup directly to a cloud environment with little to no changes, as the term aptly suggests.

This method tends to be the best option when businesses are looking to migrate their systems with as little hassle as possible. However, while many legacy systems will operate well enough on the cloud using this method, it's wise to be on the lookout for potential issues and make additional changes as needed. Lift-and-shift may not be a good choice for more complex IT systems.

Replatforming Legacy Systems

Another option is known as replatforming, which is similar to lift-and-shift but accompanies some additional tweaks and changes. After a legacy IT system is shifted to the cloud, IT professionals take steps to optimize each application for the cloud-based platform while being on the lookout for potential issues. This option is ideal for many businesses because it can reduce the complexity of cloud migration while ensuring that the resulting IT platform is scalable and secure.

Refactoring for Modernization

Another relatively common approach to cloud migration for legacy IT systems is refactoring, which involves more restructuring and modification than lift-and-shift or replatforming, according to business and technology consulting firm Material. With this approach, IT professionals need to modify application codes to work with the new cloud platform while redesigning other components to optimize performance. While this strategy does involve more time and effort on behalf of the IT professional, it can save businesses money and hassle down the road by avoiding compatibility issues and making more efficient use of resources.

Hybrid Cloud Solutions

One final option to consider in some situations is a hybrid cloud solution that combines both a traditional, on-site IT setup and a cloud-based option. This kind of setup can offer businesses the best of both worlds while still reducing costs and optimizing resources. In addition, a hybrid system allows businesses the flexibility of moving data between on-site and cloud systems as necessary.

Steps to Successfully Migrate Legacy Systems to the Cloud

When preparing to help a business migrate a legacy IT system to the cloud, keep in mind the following steps to help the process go as smoothly as possible, says Science Direct.

Step 1: Assess Your Legacy IT Infrastructure

First, assess the the company's current infrastructure, taking a detailed inventory of all existing applications and components as well as making note of which components should be migrated first versus which may be less of a priority.

Step 2: Develop a Clear Cloud Migration Plan

Next, it's time to decide on the optimal cloud migration approach based on the company's specific needs. For simplistic setups, for example, a "lift-and-shift" approach may be all that's needed. For more complex IT systems, though, it may be necessary to make additional changes or take other factors into consideration. Ultimately, the best migration plan is the one that is the most cost-effective and less likely to create problems for you.

Step 3: Prioritize Security and Compliance

Security and compliance must be at the forefront of every migration decision made. Take time to understand the specific compliance requirements in place that your migration strategy will need to follow, especially in certain industries where data privacy is a pressing concern. Ensure that all your bases are covered regarding protecting data during and after cloud migration to avoid problems down the road.

Step 4: Execute the Migration and Optimize Performance

When you have your plan in place and the time is right, execute your migration—and be prepared to make additional changes as needed to optimize security and performance. This may include testing the migration on a smaller scale to pinpoint issues before you deploy, or simply conducting integration testing on major applications. Review resource allocation and performance after the migration to make necessary changes in order to get the most out of the new cloud-based system.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Cloud Migration

With careful planning and selection of the right migration strategy, many mistakes can be avoided during the migration process. ResearchGate suggests watching out for these possible pitfalls. 

First, remember that most companies will be on a strict budget for IT migration, so it's essential to plan and estimate costs as accurately as possible upfront. Don't forget to factor in cloud service costs, data transfer fees, and other expenses that could add up during the migration.

Likewise, avoid migrating everything from the legacy IT system at the same time. If possible, migrate data and applications in stages instead. This will allow you to keep a closer eye on things to pinpoint and resolve potential issues as they arise, which facilitates a smoother transition.

Career Opportunities in IT Infrastructure and Cloud Computing

If you want to gain a firmer grasp of everything covered above, it may be time to level-up your understanding of IT infrastructure and cloud computing in a formal degree program.

How a Degree Can Equip You with the Skills for IT Modernization

A degree in IT infrastructure can be an ideal way to learn about the various components needed to effectively manage an organization's IT environment and how it works. This includes in-depth knowledge of an IT system's hardware, software, and networking resources. From there, you can also learn crucial skills, such as how to collaborate with other IT professionals and how to make changes to IT systems to optimize performance and reduce costs.

Explore the Information Technology Infrastructure Bachelor’s Degree

More specifically, a bachelor’s degree in information technology infrastructure helps build the foundational skills and knowledge needed to prepare for a career in this dynamic field. With coursework in relevant topics like IT fundamentals, operating systems, networking, and policy and regulation, you can be well-equipped for the opportunities and challenges of a career in IT.