Bring Your Cloud Migration Strategy to Life with Managed Cloud Services

Cloud migration has become a defining movement in business transformation. In 2024, IDC trends indicated that the shift from traditional environments to the cloud is no longer just about cost savings and operational efficiency; GenAI adoption and sustainability are also driving the shift to cloud.  

These trends make one thing clear: moving to the cloud is no longer optional; it’s inevitable for businesses that want long-term success.

However, cloud migration is a complex process. It is often rife with challenges, especially for large organizations, where switching from incompatible legacy systems to cloud-based services can be confusing and time-consuming. For small organizations, the lack of resources and expertise can hamper the transition. Regardless of business size, cloud migration also poses security risks, compliance concerns, and potential system disruptions.

This is why having a cloud migration strategy is important. It will help you assess your needs, choose the right environment, and plan a smooth transition. Still, even with a strong strategy in place, executing the move and maintaining operations remain complex. This is where managed cloud services come in.

In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of a well-planned cloud migration strategy and the role of managed cloud services in implementing it. We also present solutions that support you at every stage of your cloud journey.

The benefits of cloud migration strategy

According to Gartner, 90% of organizations will adopt hybrid cloud by 2027. This growing reliance on cloud infrastructure necessitates cloud migration strategies that ensure seamless transitions at minimal risks and costs.

A cloud migration strategy provides you with a clear roadmap for your cloud journey. By following a strategic approach, you can:

Reduce downtime and disruptions. A structured plan will minimize system interruptions and keep your business operational during the migration.

Optimize costs. When your strategy includes assessing workloads and choosing the right cloud models, you minimize overspending on infrastructure and cloud services you don’t need.

Enhance security and compliance. A well-planned migration ensures that the best practices in security and compliance are implemented.

Ensure scalability and flexibility. When your migration is executed with future growth in mind, you are able to optimize cloud environments for your evolving business needs.

What would happen if you don’t have a strategy for your cloud migration? You might still be able to migrate your systems, albeit at a slower pace. The move from legacy systems to cloud platforms can be hindered by obstacles such as system incompatibility, security issues, technical debt, and many others. Without a plan, you won’t have a defined course of action for addressing potential challenges or issues that may arise after the migration.

One concrete example of how having a cloud migration strategy helps is the successful transition of Truist. In a McKinsey report, the financial institution shared how it overcame challenges as it moved to a cloud-first model. Although faced with internal resistance and disparate legacy systems, they were able to navigate the shift smoothly with a phased migration approach. Their focus on team collaboration and workforce upskilling enabled them to modernize their system and launch new cloud capabilities.

However, not all migrations can be easily handled by in-house teams. Without the right expertise, you risk inefficient deployments, security gaps, and costly misconfigurations. Because cloud environments have complex ecosystems, there is also a need for continuous monitoring, security, and optimization. All these tasks can place a heavy burden on your internal IT staff. As such, it is often recommended to augment IT with managed cloud services.

The role of managed cloud services in cloud migration

Another trend that IDC revealed is the shift toward hybrid and multi-cloud environments, with approximately 8 in 10 organizations using multiple cloud providers. Managing these complex infrastructures without the right expertise can lead to security gaps, interoperability mismatches, and operational disruptions, among many other issues.

Outsourcing cloud migration and management can help avoid these problems. Managed cloud services from expert providers such as Claro Enterprise Solutions can streamline cloud adoption and optimize cloud performance. Among the many benefits of using managed cloud services are:

Reduced downtime. Cloud experts know the best ways to transition into the cloud without disrupting business operations.

Enhanced security. Familiarity with compliance standards and security protocols ensures that proprietary data and sensitive information are protected throughout the migration process.

Optimized performance. Cloud experts fine-tune workloads and allocate resources to keep systems running smoothly.

Cloud solutions from Claro Enterprise Solutions

Claro Enterprise Solutions offers a suite of cloud services tailored to support businesses through their migration journey. Among the robust solutions that can help you in your cloud journey are Collaboration Security Management, Cloud Backup, and Cloud Migration Services.

Collaboration Security Management

An expert-led solution for cyber resiliency, Collaboration Security Management safeguards businesses from cyber threats while enabling seamless collaboration on Microsoft 365. Its key benefits include:

Secure communication. Strict access controls, end-to-end encryption, and governance policies maintain data integrity and prevent unauthorized access.

Regulatory compliance. Ongoing evaluations for GDPR, HIPAA, PCI, and other standards of compliance and audit preparedness.

Advanced threat detection. Proactive security monitoring detects threats in real time and initiates rapid response protocols to mitigate cyber risks.  

With this service, you gain expert oversight on risk assessments, penetration testing, compliance enforcement, and continuous monitoring. By offloading these critical security tasks, you allow your internal teams to focus on core business initiatives.

Cloud Backup

Powered by AvePoint, Cloud Backup protects, encrypts, and recovers business data stored in cloud infrastructure or SaaS applications. Among its key benefits are:

Automated backups. Data is automatically saved every six hours, four times a day.

Comprehensive data protection. Minimizes data loss from accidental deletion, ransomware, or user errors.

Ransomware recovery. Rapid detection of attacks and quick restoration of data avoids the need to pay ransom to threat actors.

Unlimited storage. Secure 256-bit encrypted storage with over 50 petabytes of data under protection.

Compliance and security. Built-in encryption, ISO:27001, FEDRAMP, and SOC II certifications for regulatory compliance.

Cloud Backup gives you a safety net for your business data. If data is accidentally deleted, corrupted, or lost, it can be quickly restored without major disruptions to your business operations. Backup features are also configurable and flexible, allowing you to scale the service as your business grows.

Cloud Migration Services

Fully-managed end-to-end migration seamlessly transitions business operations to the cloud through a secure pathway. Claro specialists handle everything from assessment and planning to execution and optimization. With Claro Cloud Migration Services, businesses enjoy the following benefits:

Reduced complexity. Dedicated cloud specialists oversee the entire migration, unburdening businesses of complicated processes.

Enhanced security. Industry protocols and best practices ensure a strong security posture.

Faster deployment. Tailored solutions ensure a speedy transition that minimizes downtime and reduces business disruptions.

Multiple platform support. Reliable support for Claro Cloud, Microsoft Azure, AWS, VMware Cloud, Microsoft 365, and other cloud platforms.

Cost optimization. In-depth infrastructure and application analysis for rightsizing resources and cost savings.

Claro Cloud Migration Services help you move to the cloud securely according to a tailored migration plan that meets your specific needs. Claro specialists will evaluate your business needs and cloud readiness before designing a migration roadmap. Once the plan is approved, they will implement the secure transition to your cloud platform of choice and the continuous optimization of your cloud performance.

Best Practices for a Successful Cloud Migration

Before you start with your cloud migration, here are some best practices you ought to know for a smooth transition.

1. Conduct a cloud-readiness assessment

Assess your existing IT environment for dependencies and security risks. Are your infrastructure, applications, and workloads suitable for cloud adoption? If you have applications that rely on on-prem systems, full migration might be difficult. You’ll also need to check if there are workloads that require additional security measures or compliance adjustments.

2. Choose the right cloud solutions based on business needs

The best cloud solution is the one that meets your unique needs and specific requirements. For instance, public cloud platforms like AWS and Azure may be cost-effective and scalable, but may not be ideal if you are in a highly regulated industry. If you handle sensitive data, a private cloud offers better security and control. You may also opt for a hybrid and multi-cloud environment, similar to what 8 in 10 organizations are using today, as reported by IDC. This setup would enable you to keep critical workloads on-premise while benefiting from cloud scalability.

3. Leverage managed cloud services for security, collaboration, and data protection

Forrester predicts that 40% of businesses will prefer to use third-party vendors for managing their workloads instead of relying on their cloud provider’s native security solutions. If you're concerned about potential gaps in security, compliance, or data protection, utilizing managed services is an effective way to minimize operational risks.

4. Continuously monitor and optimize cloud performance

Once you migrate to the cloud, you must implement continuous monitoring and optimization to ensure security and long-term efficiency. Keep track of your cloud performance and make improvements whenever necessary. Regularly conduct vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, compliance audits, and other security checks. If this is too much for a lean IT team, leverage the cloud services offered by Claro Enterprise Solutions.

In conclusion

A strong cloud migration strategy is a crucial part of a digital transformation, but if a company lacks the right expertise and resources, its cloud migration can lead to security vulnerabilities, business disruptions, and operational inefficiencies.

Claro Enterprise Solutions offers the expertise and resources you need to simplify cloud transitions. Through our managed cloud services, you can migrate your systems securely and manage your cloud environment efficiently.  For a seamless migration experience, explore our solutions and start your cloud journey with Claro’s expert cloud solutions today.