Welcome to our first blog post, part of our series that delves into the complexities of cloud migration. This series draws on insights from our new survey, “The Cloud Migration Reality Check: Navigating Challenges and Maximizing Success,” from RapidScale primary research. In this post, we’ll explore the contrast between the optimistic expectations many IT leaders hold regarding cloud migration and the often contrasting realities they encounter.
The Promise of Cloud Migration:
The shift to the cloud offers promises of enhanced operational efficiency, flexibility, and scalability. It’s no wonder that 47% of IT decision-makers surveyed anticipated improved application performance and 46% expected operational efficiency boosts. With 44% looking to increase agility and 42% aiming for better security and compliance, the cloud seems like the next logical step in business evolution. Yet, our survey uncovers a mismatch between these expectations and the lived reality of many businesses.
Expectations Confronted with Reality:
The reality check comes when ambitions meet the actual challenges of cloud migration. Despite 26% of leaders predicting lower IT costs, the journey has proven costlier than many anticipated. The data reflects a mere 43% average IT environment migration to the cloud in Q1, with a troubling 35% of migrations either behind schedule or completely stalled. Our findings emphasize the complexity of this journey, with a substantial 57% of IT decision-makers admitting they underestimated the task.
Staying on Course: Navigating Obstacles and Rerouting for Success:
Our survey also highlights the importance of strategic planning and the selection of knowledgeable partners. Unexpected costs hit 99% of migrations, often stemming from supporting operations simultaneously on-prem and in the cloud or due to cloud sprawl. The talent equation also presents hurdles, with 97% of organizations having to make significant trade-offs regarding staffing.
Adapting and Evolving Cloud Strategies:
Flexibility is crucial, evidenced by 99% of IT decision-makers who report changing their cloud strategies since starting. This adaptation ranges from investing in new apps (43%), adjusting migration volumes (39%), to hiring new talent (37%). Furthermore, application performance has not met leadership expectations in a third of cases, showcasing that there is room for enhancement in cloud efficiency.
Reflection and Strategic Partnerships for the Future:
With hindsight comes clarity. If they could start over, 59% of IT decision-makers would engage an application development/modernization partner, and 100% would choose some form of service partner to facilitate their migration.
A Call to Action for Strategic Cloud Migration:
The survey reveals the tough challenges of moving to the cloud: complexities that are more intricate than anticipated, unexpected costs, and a strategic disconnect between what leaders expect and what actually happens when migrating. Addressing these challenges head-on requires a blend of precise planning, partnership, and resource allocation. It’s clear that an experienced partner is not just beneficial but essential for a successful transition to the cloud.
As we continue our series, we’ll provide further analysis and actionable insights to help organizations navigate these waters. In the meantime, download the full “The Cloud Migration Reality Check: Navigating Challenges and Maximizing Success” report for an in-depth understanding that can prepare you for a smoother cloud journey.
