SME Cloud Migration
Practical Step-by-Step Plan
A comprehensive guide for business owners considering moving applications to the cloud
Discuss Your Situation
Cloud Migration as a Growth Strategy
For modern businesses, cloud migration means much more than simply moving files to the cloud.
Many organizations think of cloud migration as moving email and file storage to platforms like Office 365. But this misses the real potential: data as a strategic engine for growth. If you only use cloud services for your basic IT, the real value of your data remains untapped.
Our Cloud Migration Expertise Focuses on Three Core Areas
Data Capture & AutomationFrom manual processes to automated data intake via RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and OCR technologies.
Advanced Analytics & Data Science
Cloud solutions that leverage patterns to strengthen your competitive advantage.
AI-Driven Business Intelligence
Smart algorithms analyze cloud data in real-time and deliver concrete recommendations for better decision-making.
Different Migration Strategies
There are various approaches to cloud migration for SMEs, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
The choice depends on your current IT situation, available budget, and timeline.
Lift and Shift
Moving existing applications to the cloud without modifications to the software itself.
Advantages:
- Fastest migration option (often 4-8 weeks)
- Minimal changes to workflows
- Lower initial implementation costs
- Familiar work environment remains
Disadvantages:
- Limited cloud functionality benefits
- Potentially higher operational costs
- Old inefficiencies persist
Replatform
Limited optimizations during migration to better leverage cloud capabilities.
Advantages:
- Better performance than lift and shift
- Only limited IT redevelopment
- Access to managed services
- Ready for specific AI applications
Disadvantages:
- More complex planning required
- Longer implementation time
- Higher initial costs
Refactor
Rearchitecting applications to fully leverage cloud-native functionalities.
Advantages:
- Maximum cloud benefits
- Improved scalability
- Lower long-term costs
- Modern functionalities
Disadvantages:
- Highest initial investment
- Longest implementation time (3-12 months)
- Possible business disruptions
Which Cloud Migration Strategy Suits You Best?
The migration strategies above provide initial insight, but every organization has unique data challenges requiring customization. A standard checklist is not sufficient when dealing with critical business data and advanced analytics implementations.
Personal Advice for Your Specific Situation
The right choice depends on factors such as your current data infrastructure, compliance requirements, desired AI applications, and future growth plans. This complexity requires personal contact and in-depth analysis of your specific context. We prefer to start with a practical PoC for your specific cloud services. This way, we experience together which approach works optimally for your organization, without having to make a large investment immediately.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Data Migration Complexity
Large amounts of data, various file formats, and complex database structures can slow down and complicate migration processes.
Practical Solutions:
- Start with data inventory and cleanup
- Plan migration windows during low usage
- Test migration processes with data subset
- Ensure backup before migration starts
User Adoption and Training
Employees need to adjust to new interfaces and capabilities of cloud applications, which can cause temporary productivity loss.
Practical Solutions:
- Organize training sessions in advance
- Create user guides and information materials
- Designate decision-makers as internal ambassadors
- Plan support for the initial period
Network Performance and Connectivity
Inadequate internet bandwidth or unreliable connections can negatively impact cloud performance, especially with intensive data usage.
Practical Solutions:
- Evaluate current internet capacity
- Consider redundant internet connections
- Implement Quality of Service (QoS)
- Test load under different scenarios
Security Concerns
Concerns about data security, privacy, and compliance can create resistance to cloud adoption, especially in sectors with sensitive information.
Practical Solutions:
- Choose local provider or data center
- Implement encryption for all your data
- Set up access controls and monitoring
- Document compliance measures
Downtime and Business Continuity
Migrations can cause disruptions, which is especially problematic for businesses dependent on 24/7 system availability.
Practical Solutions:
- Schedule migration during weekends
- Implement migration per department
- Ensure rollback procedures for issues
- Communicate expected disruptions
Cost Overruns
Unexpected costs can arise from underestimating migration complexity, additional functionalities, or higher usage than expected.
Practical Solutions:
- Reserve budget for unforeseen costs
- Monitor cloud usage from day one
- Set usage limits and budget alerts
- Evaluate your cloud effectiveness monthly
When is Cloud Migration Worthwhile for Your Business?
Cloud migration only becomes truly valuable when your organization wants more than just storing data—when you want to transform that data into concrete business value.
Signs You’re Ready for Data-Driven Cloud Migration
Your business has many manual data processes that cost time and money. Documents are still processed manually, reports take days to compile, or important insights remain hidden in spreadsheets and separate systems. Meanwhile, you notice that competitors seem to operate faster and smarter. They make data-driven decisions while you’re still working on intuition and outdated information.
What we’re also increasingly seeing is the demand or need for new AI applications, while the existing infrastructure is not suitable for this.
Need Help with Your Cloud Migration Consideration?
A conversation about your specific circumstances can provide clarity on the best approach for SME cloud migration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cloud Migration
What is the difference between cloud migration and simply storing data in the cloud?
+Storing data in the cloud is only a small part. Real cloud migration transforms how you use data for better decision-making. At EasyData, we focus on automation, analytics, and AI applications that convert your data into concrete business value, not just storage.
How long does a cloud migration take for an SME business?
+This depends on complexity and chosen strategy. A basic lift-and-shift can take 4-8 weeks, while data-driven transformations with AI implementations require 3-6 months. We often start with a PoC of 2-4 weeks to test feasibility.
Is my data safe in the cloud?
+With proper implementation, cloud solutions are often more secure than local servers. We work with local data centers, implement end-to-end encryption, and ensure GDPR compliance. Moreover, cloud providers often offer better backup and security capabilities than local systems.
What does a cloud migration cost?
+Costs vary greatly per situation. Basic cloud storage can start from €50 per month, but data-driven solutions with AI and automation typically start around €50-2000 per month, depending on complexity and data volume. We always create a cost-benefit analysis first and are always willing to do a PoC—experience before you invest!
Can we return to our old systems if we’re not satisfied?
+Yes, we always plan rollback procedures. During the migration period, we keep backups of old systems available. With data-driven cloud solutions, return is usually not necessary because the benefits become visible quickly, but the option remains.
Do you also do Office 365 migrations?
+No, EasyData does not focus on standard IT migrations like Office 365. We specialize in data capture, automation (RPA), OCR technologies, and AI solutions. For Office migrations, we refer to specialized IT partners.
What is a Proof of Concept and why is it important?
+A PoC is a limited test of 2-4 weeks in which we solve your specific data challenge with cloud technology. This demonstrates what’s possible without a large investment, reduces risks, and provides insight into the expected return on investment for the full implementation.
Do our employees need special training?
+Minimal. We design our cloud solutions to be user-friendly and always provide brief training. With data-driven systems, interfaces are often more intuitive than old systems. We provide documentation and support during the first weeks after implementation.
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