Simplifying AWS Migration and Modernization
First you assess, then you mobilize. After the first two phases of the AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) are complete, it’s time for the big moment: migration. Some people like to call it “flipping the switch,” but it’s a lot more involved than that (and doesn’t involve switches at all).
Migrating to the cloud is complex. If the thought of doing so has you holding your breath or wincing, don’t. The best way to approach it is step by step, utilizing these best practices along the way.
Take Small Bites
When it comes to migrating to the cloud, there’s a wise old saying about not biting off more than you can chew — and it really rings true. We recommend strategically planning your migration, especially if you have numerous servers to move. Divide your migration into manageable waves to ensure you have sufficient time and resources to keep everything organized and minimize unnecessary risks or disruptions.
You’re probably wondering what constitutes a wave. We recommend 10 servers or fewer for the first round — and steer clear of any tricky or high-stakes applications. Each migration wave will allow you to fine-tune your processes, spot gaps, and boost your team’s confidence. Once you’re comfortable, you can use what you’ve learned to make the process faster and more efficient for each subsequent wave.
Fail Fast, Learn Quickly
Obstacles are an expected part of migration, so adopt the right mindset from the start. Embrace the notion of “fail fast, learn quickly.” It will ensure you take challenges in stride and learn from them, making process improvements with every step of the migration. JetSweep can help address obstacles head-on, helping minimize downtime, reduce risk, and refine your migration strategies.
We’re excited about this development for several reasons. Our expertise lies in working with SMBs. We understand the challenges you face daily, from managing operations to growing revenue. Unlike other organizations, we know that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Our credentials in cloud and on-prem solutions, combined with our personal touch, set us apart.
And with the continued focus on AI, our expertise in this area can help you cut through the noise. The truth is that AI has enormous potential, but it’s not always clear where or how to start. When you’re ready, we’ll help you assess whether AI can make a meaningful impact on your organization.
Define Roles and Responsibilities
It may seem obvious, but assigning clear operational and security accountability before the migration is essential for a smooth, secure, and efficient transition. Operational accountability ensures systems run reliably, with teams focused on maintaining uptime and managing dependencies. Meanwhile, security accountability protects sensitive data and infrastructure from vulnerabilities during the migration process.
Modernization: Fulfilling the Promise of the Cloud
Once you move your workloads to the cloud, the real fun begins. The modernization phase is the time to evaluate your cloud environment and take advantage of new technologies and services. After all, the whole reason for moving to the cloud was to unlock new efficiencies, reduce costs, and accelerate innovation.
In its simplest terms, modernization means optimizing your workloads to thrive in the cloud. For example, adopting managed databases (Amazon RDS) can simplify administration, reducing operational overhead while enhancing scalability and performance. By offloading database management to AWS, your teams can focus more on innovation and less on infrastructure maintenance.
Or, if you’re running .NET workloads, migrating to Linux can significantly reduce licensing costs, freeing up resources for reinvestment in other strategic areas. But why stop there? Re-architecting applications from monolithic structures to microservices provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing teams to innovate faster, scale effortlessly, and roll out new features quickly.
Modernization isn’t just about architecture. Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines can further enhance your optimization efforts. These pipelines streamline the deployment of applications and infrastructure, enabling faster delivery cycles and improving operational efficiency. Updates happen consistently and confidently, eliminating manual processes that can slow you down.
Right-sizing has become essential in today’s cost-conscious environment, where doing more with less is the norm. What’s great about the cloud is you only select the resources you need, avoiding the expense of unused capacity. Once your system is live, we’ll analyze usage patterns and identify cost-saving opportunities without sacrificing performance. This flexibility— paying only for what you use — is the true power of the cloud and JetSweep can help you maximize efficiency without compromising quality.
Managing tasks in the cloud is often an additional workload. JetSweep can help alleviate your to-do list. We have skilled technical experts who can fill skill gaps, supplement low headcount, and assist with minor tasks or large-scale transformational projects.
Unlock the Cloud's Potential
Embracing the cloud is the way to modernize your business. With a thoughtful approach—taking small steps, learning from failures, and defining roles—you can work through migration challenges easily and unlock the full potential of the cloud. A little experience goes a long way, so if you’re ready to “flip the switch,” get in touch with us.