Cloud migration means moving your data, applications and IT infrastructure from hardware you own onto hosted services. Staff then reach those services, typically on Microsoft Azure or AWS, over the internet.
Why businesses migrate to the cloud
The trigger is almost always a practical problem:
- Servers are coming to the end of their life, and buying replacements is a large capital outlay
- Hybrid and remote teams need to open files and systems from more than one place
- Adding capacity means buying more physical servers
- Disaster recovery is missing, or it still depends on tape backups that have never been tested
- Support costs fluctuate when the hardware is a mix of different machines
A hosted model changes this. You pay for the capacity you use. The platform includes redundancy and applies updates without a site visit. People can sign in from wherever they work.
What should you migrate first?
You don't have to move every system in one go. A typical order looks like this:
- Email and collaboration (Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace). It's the lowest-risk starting point, and staff feel the difference quickly.
- File storage (SharePoint, OneDrive or a cloud file server). This takes over from the on-site file server so staff can open documents from any device.
- Line-of-business applications. CRM, accounting or ERP tools often have a hosted edition. That is the usual next step.
- Servers and infrastructure (Azure, AWS). Domain controllers, databases and custom applications sit here. This stage is the largest piece of work.
The three migration approaches
Lift and shift copies your current environment into the cloud without redesigning it. You arrive quickly. You also bring every existing weakness with you.
Re-platform moves the workload and then adjusts it to use cloud-native services. Performance usually improves. The work involved is greater than a straight copy.
Rebuild starts again with applications designed for the cloud. The long-term result is stronger, and the cost at the start is higher.
Most SMEs mix these methods and match the approach to each workload.
Where automation fits
Once email, files and line-of-business systems sit in the cloud, workflow automation becomes practical. Document processing and AI agents need those systems to be reachable and reliable.
Common mistakes to avoid
Moving everything at once. A staged programme costs less and reduces the chance of disruption.
Ignoring bandwidth. Cloud systems send more traffic across your connection. If the line can't carry it, staff will wait longer than they did before. Plan capacity, often a leased line, before workloads move.
No testing. Keep the old environment and the new one running together for a period so you can confirm that everything works.
Forgetting security. Hosting a system in the cloud does not make it secure on its own. You still need access controls, multi-factor authentication, encryption and monitoring.
How Wanzo handles cloud migration
We review what you run today, set the sequence of work and produce a staged plan. Cloud services sit alongside a connectivity review. We check that your internet and network can carry the load before anything is moved.
What to do next
If this is on your list, send us a message and we'll review what you run today.