Beginning Your Business Journey To The Cloud - Part 2

So, you’ve decided to start your journey to the cloud. Now what?

We know what you’re thinking: transitioning to cloud storage without disrupting your daily business operations can be a challenge. This often discourages businesses from improving their IT solutions. Fortunately, your transition doesn’t have to be a hindrance. Follow our guide to make your journey to the cloud as smooth as possible.

In Part 1 of this series, we introduced you to cloud data storage. Now let’s look at how you can get there.

1. Assess your cloud requirements

The first step in your transition to cloud storage is to understand and assess your current information management solutions. Working alongside TIMG, you’ll get the help you need.

Here are some questions to get you started:

• What data needs to be moved to the cloud and how is it currently stored?
• What effects will the transition have on the privacy and accessibility of your data?
• How will the transition benefit and affect the different departments within the business?

Overall, it’s important to understand the benefits your organisation stands to gain through this cloud transition. Think of improved accessibility, faster information recovery, and reduced costs. We examined these specifically in Part 1 of this series.

With the right IT partners assisting you in your transition, you can rest assured that any disruptions to your day-to-day information management will be minimised. The right IT partner will have briefed your internal team of the pending changes and will maintain open lines of communication throughout the process to quickly and effectively address any issues.

During your transition, the expertise of your information management partner will be vital. Unexpected obstacles can arise during your transition, such as unforeseen data security breaches, app and database compatibility problems, and obsolete links or access tools.

Lastly, it’s wise to survey your existing data storage solutions. Stable servers with plenty of capacity can provide the opportunity for a hybrid cloud solution, which would make transitioning considerably easier.

2. Develop a cloud transition plan

Once you’ve taken stock and thoroughly assessed your existing situation, you need to develop a transition plan. What solutions will help you reach your IT goals and how will you reach them?

Your plan will need to include more than just how your data will move from point A (your existing setup) to point B (the cloud). Your plan will also need to include how new data will be stored and managed while the transition is underway. New projects, beginning after your transition has commenced, should take a cloud-first approach. In other words, create a deadline beyond which all new data will move to the cloud, and move existing data to accommodate those demands.

Don’t be afraid to hold on to old IT solutions that work well for your company. Speak to your internal IT managers to identify and preserve effective solutions already in place and be sure to communicate to your IT partners any existing solutions you’d like to continue with in the transition. Your transition to the cloud does not require that you abandon effective older solutions.

3. Implement your cloud transition

Once you’ve developed your transition strategy, begin to implement your transition to your new cloud servers with assistance from your chosen and trusted IT partner. A transfer plan developed beforehand should be shared with and be visible to key personnel involved. The process will then begin by transferring your business applications, data, and files. Depending on the size of the transfers, the duration can range anywhere between a few hours to a few days. Your IT partner is crucial during this phase of the project as their job is to oversee and ensure that this is completed as smoothly as possible.

4. Regularly review your cloud performance

Once your transition is complete and your business arrives in the cloud, remember that your journey is not complete. Cloud services are very adaptable and helpful, but they are not perfect. In order to ensure that your transition has been successful, you will need to closely monitor your cloud storage performance regularly going forward. Your new system will require changes to the ways your business operates, so regular audits of your IT performance and data security will allow you to grow into your new cloud storage infrastructure by making the necessary changes within your organisation.

Let TIMG make your transition easy

Whatever your business, your transition to the cloud does not have to be overwhelming, especially in the hands of trusted experts. The Information Management Group come equipped with all the tools and expertise you need to make your journey to the cloud as easy as possible. If you’re ready to join the future of information management, contact TIMG today.