Migrating an infrastructure to Microsoft Azure is one of the options many companies consider when seeking to modernise their systems, improve the availability of their services or gain flexibility without relying on physical servers.
However, a migration is not simply a matter of moving virtual machines from one environment to another.
Before you begin, you need to analyse your existing infrastructure, understand the dependencies between applications and define a strategy that will allow you to make the change with the least possible impact on the business.
In this article, we look at what an Azure migration is, when it is a good option and what aspects you should bear in mind before starting the project.
What is an Azure migration?
An Azure migration involves moving part or all of a company’s IT infrastructure to Microsoft’s cloud platform.
Depending on the organisation, the process may include:
- Physical servers.
- Virtual machines.
- Databases.
- Business applications.
- File storage.
- Backup systems.
- Networks and associated services.
Every company has different needs, so there is no single way to carry out the migration.
In some cases, simply migrating the virtual machines to the new environment is sufficient, whilst in others it is advisable to take advantage of the change to update applications or reorganise the infrastructure.
Why do many companies choose Azure?
Azure is one of the leading cloud platforms on the market and offers a wide range of services for businesses of all sizes.
Its main advantages include:
Scalability
One of the biggest differences compared to a traditional infrastructure is that you can scale resources up or down according to your current needs.
This means you don’t have to purchase hardware to cater for peaks in demand that only occur occasionally.
High availability
Azure allows you to deploy redundant services to minimise downtime and improve business continuity.
For many businesses, having an infrastructure capable of handling incidents without affecting users is one of the main reasons for considering a migration.
Security
Microsoft incorporates numerous security, encryption, monitoring and access control measures that enable you to build highly secure environments when configured correctly.
However, security still depends largely on how you design and manage the infrastructure.
By moving your infrastructure to the cloud, you avoid many of the tasks involved in maintaining physical servers, such as replacing components, upgrading or renewing equipment.
What you need to analyse before migrating
One of the most common mistakes is to think that migration begins on the day you copy the servers.
In reality, the most important part happens beforehand.
It is advisable to carry out a preliminary analysis to answer questions such as:
- Which applications are critical to the business?
- Which servers depend on one another?
- What resources do they currently consume?
- Which services can be migrated first?
- Is there a recovery plan in place should something go wrong?
Answering these questions allows you to minimise risks and plan the project much more efficiently.
The most common errors
Although Azure provides tools to make migration easier, certain problems tend to recur when the project is not properly planned.
Among the most common, you may encounter:
- Failing to correctly inventory all servers.
- Overlooking dependencies between applications.
- Incorrectly sizing resources.
- Failing to carry out testing before the final change.
- Not having a rollback plan.
- Neglecting network configuration or security.
Most of these problems can be avoided with a preliminary analysis and planning phase.
Is Azure always the best option?
Not necessarily.
Every business has different requirements, and not all need a public cloud right from the start.
In many cases, the first step is to migrate the infrastructure to a managed cloud environment that eliminates dependence on physical hardware and allows the existing architecture to be retained.
Later on, if the project requires it, there is always the option to move towards other cloud models.
That is why it is important to analyse the business’s actual needs before deciding on the future of the infrastructure.
Planning makes all the difference
A well-executed migration has minimal impact on users’ day-to-day work.
To achieve this, schedule the data transfer outside working hours, carry out preliminary tests and prepare the new environment before the final switch.
It is also important to have a contingency plan in place that allows you to revert to the previous state should any unexpected problems arise.
Dedicating time to this phase helps you avoid incidents and significantly reduces downtime.
If you’re thinking of migrating to the cloud, start with a sound strategy
Although this article focuses on Azure, what matters is not the platform you choose, but that you design a migration tailored to the needs of each business.
At MSP Factory, we help you migrate your clients’ infrastructure to the cloud, if required, regardless of where you’re starting from.
Always make a full backup of the existing environment, whether it consists of physical or virtual servers, so that you can carry out the migration with the least possible impact on users. And if you’re unsure how to do this, just ask us.
If we carry out the migration ourselves, and where the project requires it, we schedule the data transfer outside working hours and maintain certain services on-premises using an Edge Compute Server, preserving functions such as Active Directory, DNS or DHCP whilst the rest of the infrastructure operates in the cloud.
Furthermore, whenever possible, we reuse existing licences to optimise migration costs.
Every project is different, so before starting any migration we analyse the infrastructure and define the most appropriate strategy to ensure a secure, stable transition that is ready for future growth.
