Migrating applications, processes, systems into the cloud will often send shivers down a CIO’s spine. The thought can be overwhelming, however, the conversations are increasing across multiple levels within businesses across the globe.
To help take the pain away, we have pulled together a practical, witty, and honest look at the benefits, challenges, and how to make your cloud migration smooth and painless.
Let’s be honest — “cloud migration” doesn’t exactly sound exciting. It sounds complicated, pricey and a little scary. It’s like switching banks, but with all your business systems on the line.
But here’s one thing to keep in mind: migrating to the cloud is not the monster under your bed you may think it is. It's more like moving into a modern, scalable, secure digital penthouse that has faster lifts, better plumbing with less headaches, compared to the dark, outdated, dingy apartment your systems currently live.
This article provides a reality check for those of you who may have been kicking the can down the road. We're cutting through the noise to tell you what cloud migration really entails, why it’s worth your while, what may go wrong (and how to prevent that), and why you shouldn't lose sleep over it.
You’ve probably heard the usual pitch— flexibility, scalability, cost savings. But we’ll talk about what it really looks like.
Think of your cloud as an elastic waistline. It expands as your business grows. When things take off, there won’t be any squeezing into antiquated hardware or scrambling for server space.
When you own your hardware, it’s like owning a yacht. That sounds fancy, right until you realise how much maintenance it requires. Cloud platforms have flipped that model — you pay for what you use and when you use it. No unexpected drydock fees.
The myth is that the cloud is risky. The fact is, major cloud providers invest hundreds of millions in security tech and talent, far more than what most enterprises can afford to do in-house. Your data isn’t floating aimlessly in the sky — it’s locked in a vault.
Cloud environments are built to survive it all; fires, floods, ransomware or Dave accidentally unplugging the server. Failsafe, regular backups and instant recovery are all part of the package. With multiple availability zones (AZs) in an event your entire operation can be migrated to a secondary site with no business detriment.
No drama while your team works from where they want. Whether you're on a beach, a train, or your kitchen table — your data and tools are right there with you.
Who doesn’t want to innovate? We have all been thinking about testing that new app or integrating AI tools. Without waiting for your IT team to procure the right hardware and getting stuck into approvals, you can spin up environments quickly in the cloud.
Valid question. Why are so many businesses still on dusty, outdated servers if the cloud is so great. The answer is very simple: fear of the unknown and a few legitimate challenges. But none of these are insurmountable as long as you plan ahead.
According to recent data, 94% of enterprises are already using cloud services in some form. But here’s the kicker: that doesn’t mean they’ve fully migrated. Many are still straddling the fence — half-cloud, half-clunky-on-prem.
Meanwhile, 70% of projects are shifting to public cloud platforms, 66% of companies are upping their cloud budgets and the cloud migration market is set to hit $20.5 billion by 2025. Asia-Pacific alone is driving 35% of global growth — and yes, that includes Australia. Translation? The cloud train is very much in motion, and it’s time to decide whether you're hopping on or waving from the platform.
Challenge #1: Security & Compliance Worries
The concern: “If my data is stored in cloud, who else has access to it?”
The reality: Security is only as effective as the strategy and policies you place around it. With the right encryption, access rights and a cloud partner that meets your compliance needs, your data is safer in the cloud than in that overheating server room.
Challenge #2: Downtime & Disruption
The concern: “Will moving to cloud cause everything to fail?”
The reality: Not if you make the right choices. A staged, tested cloud migration tailored to your business rhythm is what you need. You can move systems incrementally without bringing the whole shop to a standstill.
Challenge #3: Surprise Costs
The concern: “Isn’t the cloud supposed to be cheaper? Why’s my bill higher?”
The reality: Costs can inflate if you treat the cloud like an unlimited buffet. Your costs can be controlled and predictable if you have transparent governance, usage monitoring and optimisation tools in place. You also need to understand exactly what you are paying for – multiple security patching, 24/7 monitoring, environment maintenance, etc. Know what your inclusion are – most likely when you have done a full analysis, you will find it to be a cheaper solution longer term.
Challenge #4: Skill Gaps
The concern: “My IT team isn’t fluent in Cloud yet.”
The reality: Nobody’s born cloud-native. With the right support, training, and a knowledgeable partner, your team can upskill while the migration is happening. Look at the various options available to you. Many organisations (technology vendors) will offer a fully hosted managed service where your staff are not required to do the heavy lifting – they are. All aspects and responsibilities of the environment and your applications lie with the vendor.
Challenge #5: Legacy Systems
The concern: “We’ve got 15-year-old custom software duct-taped to half the business — how are we supposed to move that?”
The reality: You're not alone. Many organisations are running mission-critical systems built before smartphones existed. But with the right assessment and migration plan including re-platforming, refactoring, or even hybrid models, these systems can transition without becoming a digital archaeological dig.
Challenge #6: Change Management
The concern: “What if my team hates it and just keeps emailing themselves spreadsheets?”
The reality: Cloud migration is as much about people as it is about platforms. Involving teams early, offering training, and demonstrating quick wins can turn sceptics into cloud champions. Change feels less scary when you're not being dragged into it.
Challenge #7: The “If It Ain’t Broke…” Mentality
The concern: “Everything’s working fine, why mess with it?”
The reality: Legacy systems often work - until they don’t. The cloud isn’t about fixing what’s broken; it’s about staying ahead of the curve before something does break. Modernising now is cheaper, safer and way less stressful than emergency migration later.
Here’s the secret most migration horror stories don’t tell you:
The problem is not the cloud, it’s bad planning and trying to do it alone.
No one is asking you to become an expert overnight or gamble your business continuity.
There are seasoned professionals who know the shortcuts, the pitfalls and how to make the entire process painless. The cloud providers and technology vendors make themselves highly available for consultation, training and reassurance.
Good migration partners won’t just lift-and-shift your systems, they’ll help you:
In a nutshell: It’s Not Rocket Science. It’s Just Cloud.
Migration to the cloud isn’t some dangerous foray into the future. It’s a well-travelled path that thousands of companies have taken — many with similar doubts and concerns you might have now.
Simply put, having the right plan, the right people and a clear understanding of why you’re doing it will make the difference between a horror story and a success story.
The sky isn’t falling. You’re just moving into it.
If you’re unsure about whether cloud migration is right move for your business or you just want to understand what the process would look like, talk to people who’ve done this before.
The team at Sandstone Technology has helped businesses move to the cloud without chaos. No pressure, no buzzwords — just a conversation.