4 Steps for a Successful Multi-Cloud Migration

More enterprises are opting for multi-cloud strategies to take advantage of the strengths offered by different cloud vendors for various purposes. Multi-cloud migration involves careful planning to ensure the security and accessibility of data as it’s moved between clouds. This article will walk you through four essential steps to prepare for migration with minimal disruption.  

What Are the Steps for a Successful Multi-Cloud Migration? 

Multi-cloud migration can be complex, but following these four steps will help you prepare for a seamless migration process:  

1. Assess your Data’s “Migrateability”
2. Make a Plan
3. Compare Your Current Needs with Available Cloud Options
4. Create a Migration Checklist

We’ll discuss these steps in more detail later in this article, but first, let’s take a look at how (and why) multi-cloud strategies are increasingly popular. 

Most Businesses Leverage Multi-Cloud Strategies

Did you know that, as of 2021, a staggering 92% of businesses state that they have adopted a multi-cloud strategy for data storage and security? (Flexera’s 2021 State of the Cloud Report). 

With the proliferation of remote working environments following the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, migrations to cloud storage have rocketed forward at an exponential rate, and this current multi-cloud trend shows no signs of slowing.

In fact, Gartner says global cloud revenue will reach $474 billion in 2022, and multi-cloud infrastructure adoption is the single largest driver of this growth. 

A multi-cloud strategy separates critical data and functions (and data storage) throughout multiple cloud services, which helps businesses adapt to cyber-security and data safety regulations, both in-house and as mandated for federal agencies. 

At the same time, a multi-cloud environment must enable your teams to move easily throughout applications and access the data they need to drive decision-making. Done right, a multi-cloud infrastructure connects critical business applications such as ERP (enterprise resource planning) and human capital management (HCM) without compromising security. 

Is your company part of that 92%? 

Below, we’ll take a look at what multi-cloud migration means, the benefits, and four essential planning steps to help you successfully migrate your business’s resources to a multi-cloud environment.

What is a Multi-Cloud Storage Approach?

Multi-cloud storage involves using two or more cloud service providers (and their servers) are used to store and host data off-site. 

Often different vendors will be chosen based on their particular strengths, such as accessibility for data requiring messaging and collaboration or security features for highly sensitive data. 

This shouldn’t be confused with “hybrid cloud” services in which a mix of private, public, onsite, and offsite storage services are used. 

What are Some of the Benefits of Multi-Cloud Storage?

There are many ways that your business can benefit from migrating to and leveraging a multi-cloud data storage strategy.

One of the most important is the ability to aggregate risk over a wider range of platforms while reducing the damage of any singularly located attack or theft.

The phrase “not keeping all of your eggs in one basket” is certainly applicable here.

Some additional benefits can include:

• Reduction in operational overhead (specifically, IT staffing, data storage, and cybersecurity).
• Improved performance of applications and security through better, more consistent, multi-level observability.
• The ability to leverage a Zero Trust architecture and secure software supply chains for a more stable security posture.
• Optimization of performance by choosing feature-specific hosts matched to your specific forms of data.
• Consistent services and APIs can increase application portability opportunities.

4 Steps for a Successful Multi-Cloud Migration

• Assess your Data’s “Migrateability” 

Before you begin any type of data migration, be it single platform or multi-cloud, you should begin with a complete audit of all your current applications to ensure that they are ready to migrate.

Look at each application’s interdependency, as well as its dependency on the current storage system. Make sure that each application has functionally similar support available on the system(s) you’re migrating to. 

Consider virtual network factors like:

• Policies
• Configurations
• Load balance
• Bandwidth
• Security and compliance requirements

Also, consider any equivalencies required for migrating from physical network infrastructure to a virtual one. 

Make a Plan

One of the most challenging aspects of any data migration procedure is creating a detailed step-by-step migration plan to follow during the process.

This is where the process goes beyond your IT personnel. At this stage, ask for input from and provide clarification to everyone onboard who will need to add to, change, or even just access the migrated data, from leadership to management to your IT and QA teams.

Include discussions on the specific departments or groups that will be affected by downtime and new access protocols. This is also the time to delegate individual and group responsibilities (and record them) for the facilitation of the migration as well as the processes leading up to it.

The goal of the migration plan is to create a predictable roadmap of the process, including optional steps for any foreseeable issues that may arise. 

And, of course, to make sure that everyone involved in the process understands the plan and any role they may have in it.

Compare Your Current Needs with Available Cloud Options

Every company has its own unique needs, goals, and challenges when it comes to choosing cloud providers. Budget can be a key factor in the decision-making process, and compatibility with the current data storage system can be another.

Creating a “Pros & Cons” list of available migration partners to compare against your own needs, goals, and challenges can be a quick and effective way to narrow the list of options.

Given the current state of internet vulnerabilities and the number of malicious actors taking advantage of them, security options should be near the top of anyone’s requirements list.

Create a Migration Checklist

The actual migration of your data from your current system to the specific cloud providers you’ve chosen is the last and most critical step in the process.

Streamline the process for your business by creating a checklist of the actual step-by-step migration process. Having everyone involved on the same page helps the process go more smoothly. It also ensures that all involved have a working understanding of the data migration and its outcomes.

A checklist can also help prioritize the most important steps of the process and function as a “cue card” for individual responsibilities and action steps along the way.

Transform Your Business Operations with a Multi-Cloud Strategy

There are many benefits to utilizing multi-cloud migration storage. The internet is replete with examples of such and how it’s become a key step in business process optimization.

Multi-cloud migration can be complex, especially for older companies with long-established in-house storage and security procedures and operational familiarity with specific hardware.

Luckily, in the age of the internet, there is a process for everything, most of which are constantly improving.  

Multi-cloud data storage is one of these improvements.

Migrating to multiple cloud storage vendors can help you keep your important data safer and more accessible than it’s ever been. That equates to operational security, cost savings, and a more efficient future for you and your company. A seamless migration process requires carefully assessing your data’s suitability for migration, creating a plan, identifying the cloud vendors that best meet your needs, and working from a detailed migration checklist. 

Argano has the services, solutions, and multi-cloud technology expertise to guide you through the transformation process. We’ll partner with your organization to build a digital foundation of your company’s operating and business processes and technologies that drive efficiency and innovation.  Learn more about Argano’s capabilities and expertise.