Cloud Migration: Strategies, Plans, and Tools for AWS
Move faster, cut risk, and modernize smarter. Learn proven methods to plan and execute your AWS migration.
What is Cloud Migration?
Cloud migration is the process of moving applications, data, and infrastructure from on-premises or hosted environments to cloud platforms like AWS. This includes cloud migration plan development, cloud application assessment, and application cloud migration strategies.
The migration process typically involves:
- Assessment: Evaluating current infrastructure and applications
- Planning: Creating detailed migration roadmaps and timelines
- Execution: Moving workloads to the cloud
- Optimization: Modernizing applications for cloud-native benefits
Migration vs. Modernization
Understanding the difference between migration and modernization is crucial for maximizing your cloud investment:
Cloud Migration (Lift-and-Shift):
- Moves applications to the cloud with minimal changes
- Faster initial migration but higher long-term costs
- Limited cloud-native benefits
Application Modernization:
- Re-architects applications to leverage cloud-native services
- Higher upfront effort but significant cost savings
- Full cloud-native benefits and capabilities
For a no‑cost way to discover your best modernization candidates, visit our Application Modernization Assessment for AWS.
The 7Rs of Migration
AWS defines seven migration strategies to help organizations choose the right approach:
- Retain - Keep applications on-premises
- Retire - Decommission unused applications
- Rehost - Lift-and-shift to cloud (minimal changes)
- Replatform - Move to cloud with some optimizations
- Repurchase - Replace with cloud-native SaaS solutions
- Refactor - Re-architect for cloud-native services
- Relocate - Move between cloud environments
Cloud Migration Plan Template
A comprehensive migration plan is essential for success. Our template includes:
- Inventory Assessment: Complete application and infrastructure catalog
- Risk Assessment: Technical and business risk analysis
- Timeline Planning: Phased migration approach with milestones
- Business Case: ROI analysis and cost projections
- Resource Planning: Team assignments and skill requirements
Tools That Accelerate Migration
Tidal Accelerator
Automates discovery, dependency mapping, and cloud readiness scoring to accelerate your migration planning and execution. Learn more about Tidal Accelerator
LightMesh
Provides visibility into IPs, subnets, and DNS for smoother network transitions during cloud migration. Explore LightMesh
AWS Migration Tools
- AWS Migration Hub: Centralized tracking and management
- AWS Application Discovery Service: Automated discovery and mapping
- AWS Server Migration Service: Server migration automation
- AWS Database Migration Service: Database migration with minimal downtime
Case Studies
Financial Services Company
Challenge: Legacy mainframe applications with high operational costs Approach: Comprehensive cloud migration with modernization Results: 60% cost reduction, 50% faster deployment cycles Learn more about this transformation
Healthcare Organization
Challenge: Compliance requirements and data security concerns Approach: Phased migration with security-first approach Results: Enhanced security posture, 40% infrastructure cost savings Start your assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between cloud migration and application modernization?
Cloud migration moves applications to the cloud; modernization re‑architects or re‑platforms them to fully leverage AWS. OMA identifies which of your apps deserve both.
How do I build a cloud migration plan?
Start with a comprehensive assessment of your current environment, identify migration candidates, assess risks, create timelines, and develop a phased approach. Use our migration plan template as a starting point.
What tools speed up migration?
Tidal Accelerator and LightMesh provide automation and visibility. AWS offers Migration Hub, Application Discovery Service, and Server Migration Service for comprehensive migration support.
How long does a cloud migration take?
Timeline depends on complexity and scope. Simple lift-and-shift migrations can take 3-6 months, while comprehensive modernization projects may take 12-24 months.
How do I assess cloud readiness?
Use automated discovery tools, conduct application assessments, evaluate dependencies, and perform cost-benefit analysis. Our free assessment can help identify your best candidates.
Can public sector organizations use AWS migration funding?
Yes, AWS offers various funding programs including WRMP and MAP that can help offset migration costs for qualified public sector organizations.
Ready to Build Your Cloud Migration Plan?
Start your free modernization assessment to identify which apps to migrate and how to optimize them for AWS.
Need help with your cloud migration strategy? Contact our experts at oma@tidalcloud.com or call +1 877 895 7179.
