A simple guide to migrating legacy applications to the cloud

Posted on Friday December 06, 2024

Legacy applications, referring to older software systems that may have been developed using outdated technologies, can pose operational, security, and cost concerns for businesses. Migrating these applications to the cloud offers numerous benefits to your operations. However, cloud migrations can be tricky without proper planning and execution strategies, which is why it is important to follow a structured approach when bringing legacy applications into the cloud.

Assess your current systems

Assessing your current systems enables you to determine which applications are suitable for migration and identify any compatibility issues that may arise during the process. Make an inventory of all your existing applications, along with their versions, dependencies, and usage patterns. Next, bring in developers and software experts to analyze the codebase, identify potential roadblocks, and determine if the applications can be rebuilt to function in a cloud environment.

Choose a migration strategy

There are several approaches you can take when migrating legacy applications to the cloud, including:

• Rehosting: Move the application as is to the cloud without making any changes. It is a quick and cost-effective option but may not fully utilize the capabilities of the cloud.
• Application evolution: Refactoring or making incremental changes to the application makes it more cloud-friendly. This approach is suitable for applications with a long lifespan, and it can be performed gradually.
• Application modernization: Rebuild the application from scratch using cloud-native architecture. This approach provides maximum benefits but requires a significant investment of time and resources.

The option you choose will depend on factors such as the complexity and criticality of the application, budget, timeline, and resources available.

Create a project timeline

Timing is crucial when migrating legacy applications to the cloud. You don't want to disrupt business operations or expose your systems to potential risks during the migration process. Consider the dependencies between applications, peak usage periods, the complexity of the development and testing phase, and data migration that may impact the project timeline. The duration of the migration varies depending on the size and complexity of the application. If the legacy application is core to your business, the process may take several months, while smaller applications can be migrated within a shorter timeframe.

Develop a data migration plan

Data is often the most critical aspect of an application, and any loss or corruption during the migration phase can set you farther back than anticipated. Identify all the data sources and their formats, and determine how they will be migrated to the cloud. Companies can perform a bulk data migration or opt for a phased approach, depending on the size and complexity of their data. Back up your data before the migration process to avoid any data loss or corruption. It's also important to test the migrated data in the cloud environment to ensure its integrity before going live.

Execute and monitor the migration

When all your plans are in place, it's time to begin the migration process. Start with code refactoring, if necessary, and then move on to application rehosting or modernization. As the applications are migrated, move your data to the cloud and thoroughly test the functionality of the applications. Monitor the migration process closely, keeping an eye out for any errors or bugs that may arise. It may be wise to perform the migration in phases rather than all at once to minimize potential risks.

Conduct post-migration testing and optimization

The work doesn’t end once your application has been migrated; post-migration testing is crucial to confirm the success of the transition. Assess the data integrity, performance, functionality, and security of your new cloud environment and adjust configurations where necessary. You should also provide detailed walkthroughs and practical training on how to use the new system to increase user adoption and optimize the user experience.

There's a lot that goes into migrating legacy applications to the cloud, but cloud professionals can make the process so much easier. Contact us to seamlessly move your legacy applications to the cloud. We'll handle all the technical details so you don't have to.