The companies that get app migrations right aren't just saving on server costs. They're accessing capabilities that weren't even possible with on-premises infrastructure. But here's the catch: treating migration like simple relocation is exactly how projects fail.
App migrations aren’t just about moving code from point A to point B. In this blog, I’ll explain why and offer my tips on how to avoid a costly mistake.
Technically speaking (although I won’t get too technical here), application migration is the process of shifting software from one computing environment to another. That could mean moving from an on-prem server to the cloud, switching cloud providers, or transitioning from legacy infrastructure to a modern platform.
But the goal here isn’t just about relocation, and that’s important to keep in mind. Done right, app migration can improve performance, reduce costs, and position your business to take advantage of advanced tech like AI and machine learning.
So before I go into the “how,” I’d like to touch on the “why.”
Every business is different, but these are typically the biggest priorities our clients have when they move to the cloud:
Once you’re in the cloud, you can get out of the endless cycle of managing so much hardware. Plus, instead of capital expenditures on servers that depreciate and require constant maintenance, you pay for what you use.
Pro tip: When people talk about the costs associated with a migration, remember that maintaining legacy software isn’t free. And it’s probably costing you more than you think.
Migrating to the cloud opens doors to all sorts of advanced capabilities: predictive analytics, automated processes, enhanced security features — and last but not least — integration with emerging technologies.
Smart migrations can minimize the risk and severity of a disruption while improving how your business operates. Your dev team will be able to fix issues and release updates faster.
Different applications require different approaches. Here are the most common migration strategies:
In this approach, you’re basically moving the application to the cloud without any other modification. We don’t tend to recommend it very often, but it’s perfectly fine if you need to migrate quickly and you don’t have the resources for extensive rework.
With this strategy, you’ll make minor optimizations to take advantage of cloud features — for example, moving a database to a managed cloud service — without major code changes.
Refactoring or rearchitecting is when you redesign parts of your application to be cloud-native. It requires more time and resources but offers more long-term benefits.
If an off-the-shelf solution now exists that would serve your needs perfectly well, you might find you’re better off just buying it. It may make more sense than migrating legacy systems.
Just one caveat — make sure that your new software will meet the needs of every department using it, so you don’t end up buying multiple tools to replace one.
Moving to the cloud is a good thing. But it’s worth it to think through what could and should stay — at least for now. Not everything needs to migrate, especially if the application works well in its current environment.
Every now and then, large migration projects will sometimes reveal software that’s basically consuming resources without actually adding real value. This happens! Feel free to discontinue any applications that no longer serve your needs.
A successful migration requires systematic planning and execution. Here's a high-level overview of what that looks like, plus my tips on how to make each step successful:
Conduct a thorough audit of your applications, infrastructure, and dependencies. Understand what you have, how it's interconnected, and what business processes depend on each application.
Pro tip: Document all integrations and custom scripts before you start. They're often mission-critical and easy to overlook.
Migration should solve business problems, not just technical ones. At Capmation, we’re big believers in over-asking. Are you trying to reduce costs? Improve scalability? Access new technologies? Clear goals guide decisions and will help you measure success.
Pro tip: Establish clear success metrics upfront so you can prove ROI and justify the project if stakeholders question costs later.
Match your strategies to specific applications based on complexity, priority, and available resources. Don't assume one strategy for everything — your payment processing system needs different treatment than your internal HR portal. You might need to rehost some applications while refactoring others.
Pro tip: I often recommend a phased approach, starting with non-critical workloads, to reduce risk and build confidence.
Data integrity is non-negotiable.
Any time your data is in transit, there’s more of a risk that it could be lost. That’s why I advise creating comprehensive backups, mapping data dependencies, and establishing clear procedures for transferring information between environments.
Pro tip: Run a complete data validation comparison between old and new systems before declaring mission accomplished. Mismatched records are much easier to fix before you decommission the old system.
Create a test environment that mirrors your current processes. Then make sure that your applications behave correctly in their new environment, that your data has been transferred accurately, and that integrations work as expected.
Testing isn't optional, nor is it a simple box-checking exercise. It's often the difference between smooth transitions and IT emergencies.
Pro tip: Include your actual end users in testing, not just IT. They'll find workflow issues that technical testing misses.
I touched on this before — migrate incrementally rather than attempting everything at once. Start with less critical applications to refine your process. Monitor them closely during and after migration, and be ready to address issues quickly.
Pro tip: When possible, schedule migrations during low-traffic periods..
Migration doesn't end at deployment!
Continuous monitoring is needed to make sure your applications perform as expected and that your goals are being met. It can also help identify more opportunities for optimization.
Pro tip: Track cloud costs weekly for the first 90 days. It's much easier to correct resource over-provisioning early than to explain budget overruns later.
At a lot of organizations, there’s a disconnect between the IT department and the C-suite. Another common issue? And even in companies that are lucky enough to have a fully staffed IT department, it’s unlikely that their team does complex migrations very often (if ever).
Add that all up, and you start to see why some of the smartest, most careful people end up making these common and costly mistakes:
That last item on the list is a big one, and to be honest, a lot of companies would save quite a bit of time and money if they brought in a migration specialist before they started experiencing problems.
No one has a crystal ball, and I understand why a lot of executives would only call in a company like ours after something has gone wrong.
If you’re on the fence, here’s when I’d recommend bringing in outside help:
Just to be clear, bringing in outside experts is no reflection on the value of an organization’s internal IT team! App migrations are just one of those projects that get faster and easier when you do it all the time.
In fact, when we partner with internal IT teams, we understand that a large part of our mission is to help bridge the communication gap between them and their C-suite. I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand how those discussions have shifted the culture, creating an environment where tech and strategy are better aligned moving forward.
At Capmation, when we’re brought in to help with an application migration project, we’re there to minimize risk and maximize ROI. And as an outsider, we’re not afraid to push back when necessary to make sure both of those things happen for our clients.
Understanding your current applications and business needs guides every decision we make. We’ll design clear roadmaps, choose technologies that align with your goals, and keep you engaged throughout the process to ensure transparency and confidence.
Data is your most valuable asset during migration! We implement robust safeguards using proven tools like Microsoft Azure Data Factory and SQL Server migration assistants to guarantee seamless transitions with complete data integrity.
Your business will keep running smoothly while we work behind the scenes. We’ll migrate non-critical modules first, gradually tackle more complex systems, and validate each step to catch issues early and get your feedback.
We use comprehensive backup and rollback strategies to protect critical data, with tools like Azure Backup, SQL Server Always On Availability Groups, and VM snapshots to ensure quick recovery if any issues arise.
Our team has extensive experience migrating applications across industries, using modern technologies like .NET, Angular, and Ionic to deliver solutions that improve performance and align with business strategy.
If we’re refactoring an app to add more features or make it more user-friendly, we’ll make sure that it does exactly what your staff need it to, and that it will make their life easier, not harder.
Curious about flexible ways to add that cloud migration expertise without long-term hiring commitments? Click the link below to learn more about our capabilities and partnership models.