Cloud Migration Done Wrong
Cloud computing promises flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. But a poorly planned migration can deliver the opposite: runaway costs, data loss, and prolonged downtime.
Here are seven mistakes we see businesses make—and how to avoid them.
1. Lifting and Shifting Everything
Not every application belongs in the cloud. Moving legacy software designed for on-premises hardware to a cloud VM often results in worse performance at higher cost. Evaluate each workload individually.
2. Ignoring Bandwidth Requirements
Cloud-hosted files and applications are only as fast as your internet connection. If your team works with large files—CAD drawings, BIM models, video—make sure your bandwidth can handle the load before migrating.
3. Skipping a Cost Analysis
Cloud pricing is complex. Without understanding reserved instances, egress fees, storage tiers, and licensing changes, you can easily spend 2–3x more than your on-premises setup.
4. Forgetting About Security
The cloud provider secures the infrastructure. You're still responsible for access controls, data encryption, identity management, and compliance. The shared responsibility model catches many businesses off guard.
5. No Backup Strategy
Cloud doesn't mean invincible. Accidental deletions, ransomware, and misconfigurations can destroy data in cloud environments just like on-premises. You still need independent, tested backups.
6. Migrating Without Testing
A rushed migration that skips staging and testing often leads to broken integrations, permission issues, and frustrated users. Budget time for a proper pilot before going live.
7. Choosing the Wrong Cloud Partner
Your MSP or cloud consultant should understand your industry, your applications, and your growth plans—not just sell you the biggest Azure or AWS package.
Migrate with Confidence
A well-planned cloud migration saves money and improves productivity. A bad one creates problems that take months to untangle. Let's plan yours the right way.