Today I want to talk to you about an important topic that can make or break a company’s success in the digital age: migrating infrastructure to the public cloud. As the world becomes increasingly digital, businesses must adapt to survive. And one of the most significant changes a company can make is moving their infrastructure to the public cloud.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But, why should I move my data to the cloud? Isn’t it just another buzzword that’ll fade away in a few years?” I’m here to tell you that not only is the cloud here to stay, but it can also be a game-changer for your business. In this article, I’ll explain why establishing a business case for cloud migration is crucial, how to choose the right cloud provider, and why cost shouldn’t be the only factor to consider.

First things first, let’s talk about why you should even bother migrating to the cloud. The answer is simple: scalability and flexibility. The cloud offers a level of agility that on-premise solutions simply can’t match. With the cloud, you can scale your resources up or down as needed, pay only for what you use, and access your data from anywhere in the world. This level of flexibility can be a game-changer for businesses of all sizes, allowing them to respond quickly to changing market conditions, improve operational efficiency, and reduce costs.

Now that we’ve established why the cloud is important, let’s talk about choosing the right cloud provider. There are plenty of cloud providers out there, from big names like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud to smaller private cloud players. But how do you decide which one is right for you? There are many factors to consider when choosing a provider, including cost, security, reliability, supportability, and ease of use. However, I want to stress that cost should not be the only factor you consider. While it’s important to stay within your budget, choosing the cheapest provider could end up costing you more in the long run if the provider doesn’t meet your needs. Instead, focus on finding a provider that can offer the right mix of features, support, and security that your business requires.

Of course, simply choosing a cloud provider isn’t enough. You need to validate your choice to ensure that it truly aligns with your business case. So, what exactly does a business case entail? Essentially, it’s a comprehensive analysis of your current infrastructure, your business needs, and your goals for the future. It involves exploration of different migration scenarios, identification and comparison of costs to identify the validity and viability of one choice vs another. This will help you identify the areas of your IT landscape that could benefit the most from a cloud migration and determine which cloud provider can best meet your needs.

A robust business case is essential to secure the buy-in of key stakeholders in the organisation. This includes executives, investors, and board members. The business case should outline the ongoing financial operational benefits of migrating to the public cloud, in addition to the softer benefits such as improved scalability, and increased agility. By presenting a solid business case, you can effectively communicate the value proposition of the migration and gain the support of those who hold the purse strings.

At cloudstep.io we created a simple three step ‘Business Case in a Box’ process that leverages our unique tooling to explore different migration scenarios and build a business case. Starting with a rapid assessment to provide lightweight, express validation of cloud intention. Our tooling allows you to develop a A board-ready business case, comprised of the capital and operational costs that are important and specific to your organisation. Once you’ve identified the optimum business case, the output of this assessment identifies any organisational knowledge gaps followed by focused analysis to prepare the organisation for a successful migration.

Establishing a business case for your cloud migration and choosing the right provider are crucial to the success of your cloud journey. Don’t rush into any decisions without first conducting thorough analysis. Remember, cost is just one piece of the puzzle. Keep your business goals and needs in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful cloud migration.