KriyaGo - Blog #data migration

10 Common Cloud Migration Mistakes to Avoid

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Cloud migration is becoming increasingly popular and for all the right reasons. Recent figures from the 451 Research Group show that 90% of the companies use some form of cloud computing. Moving to the cloud has several benefits such as reduced costs, improved security, and more storage space.

As more and more companies move their data to the cloud, let us look at some of the common cloud migration mistakes you can avoid. Understanding these can help you with a better, more secure data migration to cloud platforms.

1. Lack of clear strategy

With cloud technology growing at a fast pace, the rush to migrate to the cloud is understandable. But without a proper plan, this migration may cost you more time and resources. When moving data and infrastructure, companies need to have a proper migration strategy. Your strategy should depend on the amount and complexity of the data to be moved.

Depending on your current infrastructure and migration goals, you can choose among various cloud models like public, private or hybrid. Make sure that your chosen strategy aligns with your business goals.

2. Thinking all clouds are the same

You can easily access cloud storage by choosing a subscription and migrating your data. But choosing the right cloud platform is also equally important. Every cloud platform differs in its features and addresses different problems. Even if you are migrating from one cloud platform to another, the data might not be compatible as they will differ in capabilities.

For example, companies storing classified information can benefit from a private cloud model. Similarly, companies that want to store large amounts of data can use public cloud platforms.

3. Poor cost estimation

Cloud migration takes up a significant part of your tech budget. Migration options with varying costs are available in the market. But, if you want to opt for a low-cost option without looking at the features, you could be spending more money in the long term.

Cloud migrations can be expensive but they also have a good return on investment. Service providers like KriyaGo can help you with proper cost estimation. They can also give you a migration strategy suiting your requirements so you don’t overrun your budget and time.

4. Neglecting security

Data security is of utmost importance to every company. With 48% of companies storing private data on cloud platforms, taking cloud security measures is inevitable. Without adequate measures, you can risk a data breach. The results of security breaches can have a severe financial impact on the organization. You can also risk the personal details of your staff and clients.

There are several measures you can take to ensure your data is safe on the cloud. Data encryption, firewalls, and multifactor authentication are well-known security measures. These prevent your data from getting stolen by ensuring authenticated access to the cloud.

5. Lack of training

Cloud migrations can be handled by managed service providers. Yet, your staff needs to be trained on how to use this new platform. Proper knowledge of the functioning and features of cloud infrastructure can make sure your employees handle the data efficiently.

Without training, your cloud migration may not be as efficient and productive in the long run. Even with cloud-to-cloud migrations, employees need to be acquainted with the differences in both platforms. Companies need to keep in mind that training is not a one-time process but a continuous effort to make the staff comfortable with the new infrastructure.

6. Not having backups

Migrating and storing data on the cloud is risky without having a proper backup plan. Data loss is a serious issue with more than 40% of small businesses failing to recover from a data disaster. No matter how secure your data is, you need to prepare for failures. Your cloud service provider might face an outage or you might face a data breach. Even a simple human error can cause data loss.

In such cases, having a secure data backup is essential. Planning for disaster recovery can save your business from devastating disasters.

7. Not configuring infrastructure for cloud

Some companies choose the “lift and shift” approach for cloud migration. This simply means migrating all the data as it is to the cloud platform. Even if this approach is fast and least complicated, it may not suit every cloud platform. Ideally, you need to configure your data for the cloud model you chose. This ensures a smoother and error-free migration.

8. Migrating everything at once

Cloud migrations are not an instantaneous process. Depending on the amount and sensitivity of the data, it can take several days or even months to complete the process. Rushed data migrations can have immediate and long-term consequences. It can cause data loss or even breaks in infrastructure. If important data is lost during the process, the financial repercussions can be irreparable.

9. Moving sensitive data first

Another common cloud migration mistake is moving sensitive data first. This can lead to a data breach if the cloud platform or strategy isn't correctly implemented. The proper way to deal with cloud migration is to divide it into steps. First, you need to move the least crucial information.

This lets you check the security of the infrastructure and also prepares the platform for sensitive data. Move crucial information only after adequately testing the platform after the initial data migration.

10. Inadequate testing

The process of cloud migration doesn’t end at moving data to the platform. Once the migration is done, you need to test the data and infrastructure to ensure everything is working correctly. Rigorous testing allows you to notice small errors that may cause problems later on. Testing also lets your staff get hands-on experience with the platform.

Migrate to the Cloud with KriyaGo

Want to move your data to the cloud? KriyaGo can help you build the right strategy and choose the required platforms for your company. Depending on your budget and requirements, our experts can help you complete your cloud migration process.

Our resources are built for all types of property management companies, no matter the size and requirements. By choosing KriyaGo, you can ensure a hassle-free, smooth and secure data migration to the cloud!

To know more--contact us at KriyaGo!

4 Common Strategies For Successful Azure Migration

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0400

When you are considering Azure migration, choosing the right strategy makes all the difference. Microsoft recommends a four-step approach for Azure migration. Based on this, multiple methods utilize different services and tools. Out of the many, we will discuss the four popular planning models: Rehost, Refactor, Rearchitect, and Rebuild.

Azure migrations involve a lot of preparation before the actual migration. Just like 95% of the Fortune 500 companies, if you want to move your data centers to Azure, follow our step-by-step guide for a successful migration.

The four step Azure Migration

Azure is one of Microsoft’s cloud platforms that can build and deploy applications using Microsoft’s global data centers. To ensure a successful migration, we recommend this four-step approach.

Assess

Assessment is the first step to determine the type of migration you will be doing. Some migrations move large amounts of data while others are smaller ones. The amount of data determines the type and duration of the migration.

One tool that helps in assessment is Azure Migrate. A tool by Microsoft, it helps in determining the cloud space you will need. It also provides an estimate of the monthly costs of your cloud migration.

You can also evaluate the critical points of Azure compatibility: platform, data, connectivity, and compliance. Each attribute ensures that your application is ready to migrate to the cloud.

Assessing also helps you understand the type of storage solution you require. For example, if your migrations are small, you can opt for standard Azure storage. However, they have a specific limit to the amount of data they can store. Beyond the limit, you have to opt for premium storage.

You should also have different storage for hot and cold data. The information regularly used by the application (hot data) requires fast storage. However, cold data that is rarely used can be stored in a slow, less expensive storage.

Plan

Planning the migration ensures the smooth execution of the process. There are four common approaches for Azure migration.

Rehost

Rehosting is the most straightforward approach for data migration. Also known as “lift and shift,” it involves the direct transfer of data from on-premise centers to the cloud. Rehosting deploys databases using platforms compatible with “Infrastructure as a Service.”

This strategy is used when there are limitations to resources for Azure migration. It does not require any significant changes or complete transformation of the data. But, there may be substantial changes to aspects like administration and infrastructure operations.

Rehosting lets you keep running the application with minimal changes. However, due to no data transformations before migration, rehosting can cause many problems. For example, any issues and insufficient data on the on-premise software will move to the cloud. Also, without the proper planning and approach, it can substantially increase the total costs of migration.

Refactor

Refactor strategy uses the “Platform as a Service” group of applications. It involves making changes in the code to make the application compatible with PaaS. This strategy is time-consuming as it requires altering the code. However, it is also better than rehosting as it is more scalable and reliable. You can also migrate the data to managed database services instead of PaaS.

Refactoring has fewer shortcomings. But, it does not allow more considerable changes that are more efficient on cloud services.

Rearchitect

Unlike refactor, this strategy completely alters the application code to make it Azure-compatible. It breaks down the code to make smaller applications called microservices. These are more efficient on the cloud. Microservices have their own data sources to avoid depending on a single source. As the services are independent, you can check each of them for inherited issues. Each microservice holds a small part of the code, making it easier to test and prepare them for migration.

Rebuild

Rebuilding involves changing the entire application code to build it again. The application is rebuilt with the intent of cloud migration. While this is the most time-consuming and difficult process, it also gives better results. Since you rebuild the application using cloud services, it has lesser risks and shortcomings.

Prepare

Preparation for migration involves getting a widely accepted report about your strategy’s dependency. Applications require a PoC or pilot as evidence of the merits of the chosen approach.

Proof of Concept, or PoC, is generated for a maximum of three features. Typically, it answers questions like “Will this strategy work as expected?” and “Will the solution meet our requirements?”

A PoC involves the following steps:

Defining success criteria.
Engineering of the solution.
Checking the solution against the given criteria.

Accepting the requirements based on success.

A pilot, on the other hand, is closer to the actual process. It is a test run that runs for weeks or months. Usually, a pilot involves not more than 100 users who handle all the functions. As it is more thoroughly planned than a PoC, it has lesser risk. In case of failure, you still have the flexibility to move to a different approach.

Migrate

In the final step, you execute the proposed migration model. Depending on the approach you choose, you will require specific tools and templates for migration. Resource Manager Template by Azure helps you to complete migrations using a simple configuration language.

After migration, you need to monitor the performance and costs of the application. Then, if it meets your current goals, you can discover more ways to utilize Azure. Another aspect to focus on is data security. While cloud-based platforms are secure, it is safer to prepare backups. Also, continuously monitor the application for security issues.

How KriyaGo helps with data migration

We provide data migration services for your property management software. Move from on-premise data storage to Azure through KriyaGo. We understand the company’s needs and suggest data migration solutions accordingly. We assist you in every step of the process, whether assessment, planning, preparation, or execution.

With KriyaGo, you don’t have to worry about any software implementation. We offer excellent automation services along with professional support. Choosing us will get you premium consultancy, software specialization, and brand partnerships.

Start your Azure migration process by booking a free consultation!