How does a cloud migration work at LimeTech? [updated in 2022]

You’ve heard the phrase “cloud migration” before, but what does it mean, and how does it work? The truth is, a cloud migration may be a simpler process than you think.

At its essence, a cloud migration is a process of safely moving your data from your company’s internal servers to the cloud. So, what is the cloud? The cloud is a term we use for a vast network of servers located in highly secure data centers around the world. 

For you as a business owner or team leader, one of the biggest differences is that of access. When your data is on the cloud, you access it through the internet instead of through your local network. This shifts your reliance on local servers (often housed in back rooms or server closets) to remote servers, enabling you to tap the power and capabilities of large data centers and web-based processes.

For many, this experience can be liberating, as it enables your staff to work from locations outside the office, and for your team to collaborate more easily with outside contractors and partners. It also reduces many vulnerabilities associated with on-premises storage, such as flood, fire, theft, and server failure.

So, how does a cloud migration work at LimeTech? 

Cloud migration phase 1: Analysis of your data needs

We always start with a big-picture approach. We meet with you to learn how you use your data so we can understand your needs. These early conversations help us generate documentation outlining the different ways your team accesses and utilizes data. From this documentation, we create a map of your data structure — an important tool for visualizing hierarchies and access points.

We ask questions like Do you share data with employees outside of the company? Do you collaborate with partners or share this data externally with clients? How do you currently handle internal vs. external sharing? What tasks or features are missing from your local data setup? What are your pain points in relation to file sharing, collaboration, and storage?

Based on your needs, budget, and goals for the future, we research and identify appropriate cloud solution(s)  We then present our recommendations and deliver an online demo to demonstrate how each solution could benefit your company. We take great pains to give non-biased recommendations, including alternative options, so you can choose the solution that works best for you.

As soon as we’ve agreed on the strategy and the relevant solutions, your migration begins!

Cloud migration phase 2: Mapping, preparation, and upload

This is where you get to sit back and relax while we do the work. After we receive your list of users and access permissions to your stored data, we conduct comprehensive data backups to ensure all your information is stored safely and protected from loss. We realize the sensitivity of this process, and how important it is to the integrity of your intellectual property, so we implement checks and balances to ensure your data is managed safely. We use secure, encrypted tools to upload your data to the chosen cloud solution, and keep you regularly updated if any issues or concerns arise.

Cloud migration phase 3: Testing and training

We don’t stop at simply uploading your data to the cloud. In Phase 3, we test to make sure the uploaded data matches the original file-count. If you have a qualified staff member, we ask them to test the cloud-based solution to check for any discrepancies. We can also provide a short training session on how to access and manage data in the cloud, if needed.

Cloud migration phase 4: Cutover day and follow-up

Now that everything has been tested and double-checked, we reach cutover day! Your cloud-based server gets converted from a testing version to full production…and it goes live. At this point we decommission the old system, which is no longer in use. (Don’t worry — we also retain your old system for a short time as an additional backup.)

Now, your team can utilize and manage your cloud systems, and you should feel confident, empowered, and fully independent. If there are any concerns, our team remains available to assist you with immediate troubleshooting. 

If you want additional support on an ongoing basis, we also offer monthly maintenance and support plans, which guarantee our availability to deal with any unforeseen issues. That said, our goal is for you to be fully autonomous after a cloud migration, and we’ve found that to be the case for most of our clients.

In summary: How does a cloud migration work?

The cloud migration process is not as complicated as it may seem. Now that you know the steps involved, you should feel comfortable enough to embrace the process. With LimeTech on your side, you’ll find you’re ready to tap the many benefits of a cloud migration, including better collaboration, data protection, and scalability.

If you have more questions, check out our cloud migration FAQ page or reach out to us directly — we’re happy to chat.

LimeTech is a creative tech company with a focus on innovation and adaptive change. We use technical know-how, design skills, and deep experience in entrepreneurship to help companies advance their business goals. Do you need IT planning, mobile app development, web design, or remote work solutions that will take your business to the next level? Get in touch today and find out what we can do for you.