Cloud Migration Checklist: Kickstart Your Journey to the Cloud

Almost every business today uses the cloud to some extent, with figures from Rightscale suggesting 94% of enterprises use cloud technologies. In addition, research from our latest cloud security study shows 54% of organizations operate a hybrid cloud model, 17.5% use the public cloud and 12% work in a private cloud model.

But just because firms are using this technology, doesn't mean they're getting the most out of it, or are anywhere near being a fully cloud-enabled business.

Research by IBM found that most companies are only 20% of the way through their cloud journeys, with only the simplest workloads migrated. This leaves 80% of workloads still remaining on-premise.

This is often because cloud migration can be a lengthy and complex task, and there are a range of challenges to overcome. IBM highlights three key issues that businesses face, these are:

• Unique needs, such as security, compliance and location, that prevent specific workloads being easily migrated
• The complexity of dealing with multiple cloud vendors
• A lack of relevant skills within the business