Why Cloud Migration Needs a Strategy
Moving workloads to the cloud is not just a technical exercise. Done without a plan, it is a reliable way to pay more than you did on-premises, end up with systems that are harder to manage, and create new security risks. Done well, it lowers operational overhead, improves resilience and gives your team the ability to release software faster.
The difference between those two outcomes is almost entirely in the planning. Kratvya's Cloud & DevOps service starts every migration engagement with a structured assessment phase — because the most expensive cloud migrations are the ones that start too quickly.
Step 1: Workload Inventory and Assessment
Before you can plan a migration, you need to know exactly what you are moving. A thorough workload inventory covers:
- Every application and its runtime dependencies
- Data volumes, retention requirements and regulatory constraints
- Current performance baselines and service level expectations
- Integration points with other systems
- Business criticality and tolerance for downtime during migration
This inventory feeds directly into migration wave planning — deciding which workloads move first (low-risk, low-dependency) and which move last (high-criticality, tightly coupled).
Step 2: Choose the Right Migration Approach
There is no single right approach to cloud migration. The common strategies, often called the "6 Rs", apply differently to each workload:
Lift-and-shift (Rehost)
Move the application to the cloud with minimal changes. Fast and low-risk, but it leaves cloud-native benefits (elastic scaling, managed services) on the table. Best for legacy systems where the cost of re-architecture exceeds the benefit.
Re-platform
Make targeted changes to take advantage of cloud services without rewriting the application. For example, moving from self-managed MySQL to a managed database service. A good middle ground for many business applications.
Re-architect (Refactor)
Redesign the application to use cloud-native patterns — microservices, serverless functions, event-driven architecture. Higher upfront cost, but unlocks the full value of the cloud. Appropriate for systems with long operational lifespans and high scaling demands.
Retire or Replace
Some workloads should not migrate at all. Legacy applications with few active users may be candidates for decommissioning. Others can be replaced by SaaS products, eliminating the need to manage the infrastructure entirely.
Step 3: Choose the Right Cloud Platform
The three major platforms — Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud — each have strengths. The right choice depends on your existing stack and team expertise.
- Microsoft Azure: Strongest choice for Microsoft-centric organisations (Windows Server, SQL Server, Active Directory, Office 365). Kratvya has deep Azure experience and recommends it most often for Indian businesses already on the Microsoft stack.
- AWS: Broadest service catalogue and the largest market share. Excellent choice when you need a wide range of managed services or are building greenfield cloud-native systems.
- Google Cloud Platform: Strong for data-intensive workloads, machine learning and Kubernetes-native architectures.
Kratvya works with all three. Our Cloud & DevOps team recommends based on your specific workloads, not a platform preference.
Step 4: Security and Compliance Before Migration
Security architecture must be defined before migration begins, not retrofitted after. Key decisions include identity and access management structure, network segmentation (VPCs, subnets, security groups), encryption at rest and in transit, and audit logging.
For regulated industries — healthcare, finance, government — compliance requirements (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, data residency) need to be mapped to specific cloud configurations before a single workload moves. Our IT Consulting service supports this design phase for organisations that need expert guidance.
Step 5: Execute in Waves, Monitor Continuously
Migrate in planned waves, starting with non-critical systems. Instrument everything: application performance monitoring, infrastructure metrics, cost dashboards. Validate that each wave meets the performance baselines established in the assessment before proceeding to the next.
The most common cloud migration mistake is treating go-live as the end. The post- migration phase — right-sizing resources, optimising costs, tuning performance — is where most of the value is won or lost.
Common Cloud Migration Mistakes to Avoid
- Lifting and shifting everything without evaluating what should be re-architected or retired
- Skipping the assessment phase because it "takes too long" — this is always false economy
- Ignoring network egress costs, which can be substantial for data-heavy workloads
- Migrating without proper monitoring in place from day one
- Treating cloud as "automatic" backup — availability and durability require explicit design
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first step in a cloud migration?
A workload inventory and assessment — cataloguing every application, its dependencies, performance profile and business criticality. This determines the right migration approach for each workload.
Which cloud platform should a business choose?
Azure for Microsoft-centric organisations, AWS for the broadest service range, and Google Cloud for data and AI-heavy workloads. Kratvya works with all three and recommends based on your specific needs.
How long does a cloud migration take?
A single application lift-and-shift can take 4–8 weeks. A full enterprise migration typically runs 3–12 months depending on complexity and the number of workloads.