Cloud migration solves the scalability, cost, and security problems that come with outdated infrastructure. But it's not a flip-a-switch project. It requires planning, the right strategy, and usually a team that's done it before.
This guide covers the types of cloud migration, what it actually costs, the steps involved, and how a local Gainesville-area provider like Epic IT Solutions supports businesses through the process.
Key Takeaways
- Cloud migration moves servers, data, and apps off local hardware so you scale without owning the infrastructure
- Seven proven strategies (the "7 Rs") match different business needs, from simple lift-and-shift to full rebuilds
- Costs depend on data volume, downtime tolerance, and whether you use a managed provider
- Phased, tested migrations cut downtime and security risk versus big-bang cutovers
- Local MSPs offer hands-on support that generic cloud tools can't match for SMBs
What Is Server Migration to the Cloud?
Server migration means moving data, applications, and configurations off physical on-premises servers and into cloud-hosted infrastructure. In plain terms—and as Microsoft Azure frames it—that can mean moving everything from a private data center to a public cloud, or shifting resources between two cloud providers entirely.
There are three common setups:
- Full migration – your entire on-premises infrastructure moves to the cloud
- Hybrid setup – you keep some resources on-site while running others in the cloud
- Cloud-to-cloud migration – you move workloads from one cloud provider to another
Common triggers include:
- Aging hardware nearing end-of-life
- Growth that outpaces your current setup
- New remote work demands
- Stronger security and compliance needs
For regulated industries such as law firms or biopharma labs, compliance pressure is often the deciding factor.
Benefits of Migrating Your Server to the Cloud
Moving to the cloud changes how your business spends money on IT, and not just in the "cheaper" sense. It restructures the entire cost model.
Cost efficiency. Microsoft describes this as a shift from capital expenditures (buying hardware outright) to a largely pay-as-you-consume operating expense model. You stop sinking cash into servers that depreciate the moment you plug them in.
Scalability. Need more storage during a growth spurt? Add it. Slow season? Scale back. AWS notes that cloud computing replaces guesswork about future capacity needs with the ability to adjust resources on demand, with no new hardware purchase required.
Other core benefits include:
- Remote accessibility – employees securely access systems from anywhere with an internet connection, ideal for multi-location businesses
- Improved security – cloud providers build in encryption, identity management, and multifactor authentication
- Reduced IT burden – no need to hire a full-time in-house IT employee just to manage servers
- Business continuity – built-in backup and disaster recovery options reduce downtime risk from hardware failure
One important caveat: security is shared, not outsourced entirely. Microsoft's shared-responsibility model makes clear that while the cloud provider secures the physical infrastructure, your business still owns data protection, identity management, and access controls.
That is where a partner like Epic IT Solutions earns its keep: configuring those controls correctly the first time so your migration stays secure and manageable.
The 7 Types of Cloud Migration Strategies (the "7 Rs")
Not every server or application needs to move the same way. AWS's current framework, built on strategies Gartner first outlined in 2011, breaks migration into seven approaches:
| Strategy | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Retire | Decommission outdated servers or apps with no ongoing business value |
| Retain | Keep certain workloads on-premises because they're not ready to move |
| Rehost | "Lift and shift": move as-is, fast and low-risk |
| Relocate | Move virtual servers to a comparable cloud environment with minimal disruption |
| Repurchase | Replace legacy systems with a new SaaS product ("drop and shop") |
| Replatform | Make minor optimizations (like OS upgrades) during the move |
| Refactor | Rebuild the application to be fully cloud-native |
Rehost tends to be the fastest path for businesses that need to get off aging hardware quickly. Refactor takes longer and costs more upfront, but pays off for applications you plan to run for years.
Most SMBs use a mix:
- Retire dead weight with no ongoing value
- Rehost the bulk of workloads
- Refactor only the systems that truly need it
How Much Does It Cost to Migrate to the Cloud?
Here's an honest answer: there's no universal price tag. Anyone quoting a flat per-server rate online is guessing. AWS's own cost-estimation guidance points to variables like:
- Server configuration (CPU, memory, storage)
- Number of applications and current utilization
- Data volume and network bandwidth needs
- Migration strategy chosen (rehost is usually cheaper than refactor)
- Downtime tolerance and testing requirements
Watch for hidden costs, too:
- Data transfer and egress fees from your current provider
- Ongoing subscription costs (cloud runs on continuous consumption, not a one-time purchase)
- Staff training and documentation
- Third-party migration tools that carry their own licensing fees
Generic online calculators can't account for your specific network complexity, compliance needs, or existing hardware. A tailored on-site or remote assessment, the kind Epic IT Solutions runs for clients across North Central Florida, gives you numbers based on your actual environment, not industry averages.
How to Migrate Your Server to the Cloud: Step-by-Step
A rushed migration is how businesses end up with days of downtime and lost data. Follow this sequence instead.
- Assess current infrastructure. Inventory every server, application, dependency, and data volume before you plan anything. You can't migrate what you haven't mapped.
- Choose your strategy and environment. Decide between public, private, or hybrid cloud based on your compliance requirements and business needs, then pick the right "R" from the framework above.
- Back up everything and run a pilot. Test a small, non-critical workload first. This catches configuration issues before they touch anything mission-critical.
- Execute in phases. Move least-critical systems first, monitor closely, and address errors before moving to the next wave.
- Validate and decommission. Confirm performance meets or beats your old setup, then retire the old on-site hardware. Not before.
Local support matters most during execution. Epic IT Solutions provides on-site and remote assistance through every phase of this process, from the initial assessment through migration execution and post-migration management. For businesses that want to keep internal IT staff involved, Epic also structures co-managed arrangements where responsibilities are shared and decisions stay collaborative, rather than handing everything off to an outside vendor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to migrate to the cloud?
Costs depend on data volume, number of applications, downtime tolerance, and which migration strategy you choose. There's no reliable flat rate — a professional assessment gives you an accurate number based on your actual environment.
How do I migrate my server to the cloud?
Assess your infrastructure, choose a migration strategy and cloud environment, back up data and pilot a small workload, then migrate in phases while monitoring closely. Validate performance before decommissioning old hardware.
What are the 7 types of cloud migration?
The seven strategies are Retire, Retain, Rehost, Relocate, Repurchase, Replatform, and Refactor. Each fits different workloads, from simple decommissioning to full cloud-native rebuilds.
Is cloud migration safe for sensitive business data?
Reputable cloud providers build in strong security controls like encryption and multifactor authentication. However, proper configuration and a knowledgeable IT partner are essential, since data protection and access controls remain your responsibility.
Do I need an in-house IT team to migrate to the cloud?
No. Many small and mid-sized businesses migrate successfully using an outsourced IT provider instead of hiring full-time staff. Co-managed arrangements also let you keep existing IT staff involved while getting outside expertise.
