Data Center Migration to AWS: What You Need to Know

If you haven’t already started your data center migration to AWS, it’s time to start thinking about it. Over 9 million websites use AWS and reap the benefits of its advanced cloud computing capabilities.

In this article, we’ll cover what AWS is, the benefits of AWS, and how to start planning your data center migration. But if you need immediate help with your migration, check out our AWS talent solutions page to find the cloud professionals who will make your migration to AWS as smooth as possible.

What is AWS?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a secure cloud service provider, offering technology resources available on demand and managed by cloud experts. They offer a wide range of cloud computing services, including database storage, content delivery, compute power, and more. These services allow organizations to scale and grow at a pace that works for them.

Gartner research has named AWS a leader in cloud computing for 11 years in a row. According to a Gartner report, AWS scored the highest for Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision compared to other major cloud providers.

> Read more: AWS Cost Optimization: Getting the Most From Your Cloud Spend

Additionally, of the available cloud computing platforms, AWS has the most extensive global cloud infrastructure. AWS offers the most regional coverage, spanning 26 geographic regions across the globe with 84 Availability Zones, which consist of one or more data centers with connectivity in an AWS region.

Benefits of a data center migration to AWS

AWS is the leading cloud provider with the largest global reach. But what’s in it for you? Migrating from your organization’s data center to AWS offers numerous benefits, including:

• Cost reduction. Migrating to AWS significantly reduces your spend on data center infrastructure. You’ll avoid costly maintenance contracts and equipment refreshes from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) by moving to the cloud. Not to mention that AWS allows companies to only pay for the services and resources they use, so you won’t overspend on services you don’t need.
• Scalability. Paying only for the services and tools you use is part of what makes AWS so scalable. As demand changes, AWS allows you to scale at your own pace. You can employ the resources you need or dial them back depending on your organization’s needs.
• Flexibility. AWS is compatible with most of the programming models, coding languages, operating systems, and architectures you’re likely already familiar with. You can also load programs and design program elements according to your needs. This flexibility simplifies the migration process and helps you avoid the risk of data loss while moving to AWS.
• Security. With a huge increase in remote work over the past couple years, cybersecurity is more important than ever before. AWS operates with a shared responsibility model for data protection, empowering you to encrypt and manage all of your company’s data yourself. AWS is responsible for the security of the cloud, while you’re responsible for the security of your data in the cloud. This security model allows you to keep your data in your preferred format, and it grants you full control of where your data goes and how it’s used.

Ways to make your migration easier

A data center migration doesn’t happen overnight, and it isn’t always smooth sailing. There are a number of steps you can take to make the process as easy as possible. Once you get started with your AWS migration process, you should:

1. Plan your migration

There’s a lot to consider before migrating, and going in blind is never a good idea. Make sure your organization comes up with a plan. Define your needs and how you plan on using AWS. Understand what’s in your current on-premise environment, and invest in the resources you’ll need throughout the process.

2. Use third-party IT solutions providers to support your on-premises environment as you migrate

As you begin your migration, you’ll experience a period of inflated costs from maintaining your physical data center at the same time as your cloud environment. In the long run, the cloud will prove to be extremely cost-effective, but for this period of inflated costs, consider using third party IT solutions providers to reduce maintenance and hardware costs.

3. Make sure you have the right talent

Evaluate the skill sets of your current IT team. Do you have the talent you need to properly execute an AWS migration? You’ll need to either train your current team or hire cloud professionals if you find that your team lacks the necessary cloud skills.

Finding top AWS talent with NerdRabbit

NerdRabbit offers everything you need to fill critical roles on your team as your organization migrates to AWS. As the first AWS software-defined staffing company powered by machine learning, we connect companies looking for cloud talent with the best AWS professionals in the industry. Our software, Nerdly, is available on AWS Marketplace, making it easy for you to find the talent you need while simplifying your spending through AWS centralized billing.

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