What Are The Different Types Of Cloud Migration?
Cloud migration strategies differ by organizational goals, application complexity, and desired outcomes. Commonly referred to as the “Six Rs,” these are the primary approaches:
Cloud Migration Strategies: Choosing the Right Approach
- Rehosting (Lift and Shift)
It consists of moving applications to the cloud with minimal changes. This strategy is fast but normally not very effective in exploiting cloud advantages. - Replatforming
Closely related to rehosting, it includes some optimizations that enable taking advantage of cloud capabilities. This strategy normally finds a balance between speed and cost while improving performance. - Repurchasing
Replaces legacy applications with cloud-native SaaS solutions. This involves adopting new software but may result in streamlined operations and decreased costs. - Refactoring (Rearchitecting)
This is a reconstruction of an application to the fullest extent possible while gaining the benefits of the cloud. On the other hand, this strategy is the most resource-intensive approach with maximum potential for innovation. - Retiring
It means identifying redundant applications and retiring them to reduce cost and complexity. - Retaining
Keeping applications on-premises for specified reasons or due to certain limitations. This strategy is temporary or long-term.
Knowing these options will enable you to select the right migration strategy for your organization’s particular needs and objectives. Follow these key steps to implement the chosen approach according to our guide on the four phases of cloud migration.