How to Migrate to the Cloud the Right Way

Many companies have jumped into the cloud without a clear strategy, resulting in unexpected costs, security risks, and performance issues. In this guide, we’ll show you how to take the right steps toward a successful cloud migration. 

Do You Really Need the Cloud?

Not every organization necessarily needs a cloud solution. It’s not always beneficial to migrate all workloads, applications, and data to the cloud. If your IT infrastructure and applications aren’t cloud-ready, migration may not pay off. 

Example: A monolithic application that isn’t optimized for cloud environments, migrated using the lift-and-shift method, is unlikely to generate cost savings. On the contrary, it may increase operational expenses. That’s why a thorough analysis is necessary before migration to determine whether the cloud is the right solution for your business.

Reasons for Migrating to the Cloud

Companies migrate to the cloud for various reasons, with the main ones being:

• Hardware management and scalability – The cloud allows for flexible resource scaling according to real-time needs.
• Better cost planning (CAPEX vs. OPEX) – Instead of large upfront infrastructure investments, companies pay only for what they actually use.
• New technologies – Cloud platforms provide access to advanced solutions such as LLMs, data lakes, and IT process automation.
• Business growth acceleration – Companies can focus on their core business while outsourcing IT infrastructure to a cloud provider.

If these factors resonate with you, cloud solutions are likely to be beneficial for your organization. However, not everything has to move to the cloud. Some applications, particularly those with low scalability requirements or strict security policies, can remain on-premises. A hybrid model is often a smart choice for companies that want to leverage cloud advantages while maintaining control over critical systems and data. 

Public, Private, Hybrid or Multicloud?

One of the most important decisions in cloud migration is choosing the right cloud environment. At this stage, it’s crucial to analyze your existing infrastructure, future business needs, and consult experts to avoid costly mistakes. 

• Public cloud – Sdílené cloudové prostředí s vysokou škálovatelností: 
  • Hyperscale providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) – Almost unlimited scalability but complex billing and high egress costs.
  • Local cloud providers (e.g., Geetoo) – Personalized service, transparent pricing, and no data transfer (egress) fees.
• Private Cloud – A dedicated environment offering full control over data and compliance with strict security and legal requirements.
• Hybrid Cloud – A mix of public and private cloud, enabling flexible IT infrastructure management based on specific business needs.
• Multicloud – Using multiple cloud providers to reduce vendor lock-in and improve pricing leverage. The downside is higher complexity (management, networking, and infrastructure adaptation for different providers). 

Choosing the Right Cloud Partner

Beyond selecting the right model, it’s essential to choose the right cloud provider to ensure high availability, reliable support, and cost optimization.

1. Global hyperscale providers – AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud offer a broad range of services, high availability, and scalability. However, choosing the right services and optimizing your application code is crucial to avoid unexpected costs, such as frequent API calls. Additionally, data egress fees can significantly impact operational costs as your cloud usage scales. 
2. Local cloud providers – Providers like Geetoo offer a personalized approach, direct access to expert support, and transparent pricing. One of the key benefits is no egress fees, which helps reduce overall cloud expenses. 
3. Custom Infrastructure – Companies can build custom cloud solutions using open-source or proprietary technologies. This model provides full control over data and operations but requires a robust IT team, higher investment costs, and longer implementation times. It is best suited for organizations with strict security requirements or specific operational needs. 

The right provider should be chosen based on your company’s needs, budget, and available resources.

Migration Plan: How to Move to the Cloud?

Cloud migration should be approached as a structured project that requires careful preparation, planning, and risk management. Key questions to ask: 

• Will we migrate internally, or should we rely on an experienced partner?
• Which applications should we migrate first, and in what order?
• How will we ensure security and data availability during migration?
• What will the overall migration costs be?

Self-managed cloud migration is possible if your company has a strong internal IT team with cloud expertise.However, partnering with a cloud expert can lead to faster implementation, fewer errors, and higher cost efficiency. 

Before migrating to the cloud, you need to ask yourself the right questions: What do we really need? What workloads make sense in the cloud? And what model will be sustainable for us in the long term? A thorough plan combined with a reliable partner will guarantee that the cloud will be the engine of your business.

Conclusion

Moving to the cloud brings new opportunities to businesses. However, without the right strategy and planning, migration can be complicated and expensive.

The right approach to migration means:

• Conduct a thorough analysis and consider whether the cloud is beneficial for the company.
• Choose the right cloud model and provider based on business and technical requirements.
• Create a detailed migration plan with an emphasis on security and cost.

When choosing the right cloud environment, it pays to consult with experts about the options. The wrong choice can cause inefficient operations, high costs, and technical complications for the company. If you are planning a migration to the cloud and want to avoid complications, it pays to cooperate with experts who have experience with migration.

Contact us