Cloud Migration Strategies: The 7 Rs Explained

Cloud Migration Strategies: The 7 Rs Explained

Migrating to the cloud isn't a one-size-fits-all process. Organizations choose different strategies based on their goals, resources, and timelines. The "7 Rs" framework provides a structured approach to determine the most suitable migration path for each application or workload.(OneAdvanced)






📊 Table: Overview of the 7 Rs of Cloud Migration

Strategy Description Ideal Use Case Pros Cons
Rehost Lift and shift: Move applications to the cloud without significant changes. Quick migrations with minimal changes. Fast, low-cost, minimal disruption. May not leverage cloud-native benefits.
Replatform Lift and reshape: Make some optimizations while moving to the cloud. Applications needing minor improvements. Balances speed and optimization. Requires testing and validation.
Repurchase Drop and shop: Replace legacy applications with cloud-native SaaS solutions. Standard applications like CRM or ERP systems. Access to modern features, reduced overhead. Potential loss of customizations.
Refactor Re-architect: Redesign applications to fully utilize cloud capabilities. Applications requiring scalability and agility. Maximizes cloud benefits, future-proofing. Time-consuming, resource-intensive.
Retain Keep applications on-premises or in their current environment. Legacy systems with complex dependencies. No immediate changes needed. Missed cloud advantages, potential obsolescence.
Retire Decommission applications that are no longer needed. Outdated or redundant applications. Reduces complexity and costs. Requires thorough assessment to avoid dependencies.
Relocate Move applications to the cloud without changing the underlying architecture. Infrastructure-level migrations. Simplifies migration process. May not fully optimize for cloud environments.

🖼️ Image: Visual Representation of the 7 Rs

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Source: Akamai

🔍 Detailed Insights into Each Strategy

  1. Rehost (Lift and Shift)
    This strategy involves moving applications to the cloud with minimal changes. It's ideal for organizations looking for a quick migration without altering existing architectures.

  2. Replatform (Lift and Reshape)
    In this approach, applications are moved to the cloud with some optimizations to take advantage of cloud-native features. It's suitable for applications that can benefit from minor enhancements.

  3. Repurchase (Drop and Shop)
    This strategy entails replacing legacy applications with cloud-native Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. It's commonly used for standard applications like CRM systems.

  4. Refactor (Re-architect)
    Refactoring involves redesigning applications to fully leverage cloud capabilities, such as scalability and agility. This approach is beneficial for applications that require significant modernization.

  5. Retain
    Some applications may not be suitable for migration due to various reasons like complexity or compliance. In such cases, retaining them in their current environment is the best option.

  6. Retire
    Retiring involves decommissioning applications that are no longer needed, helping to reduce complexity and costs. It's essential to ensure that no critical dependencies are overlooked before retiring an application.

  7. Relocate
    This strategy focuses on moving applications to the cloud without changing their underlying architecture. It's useful for infrastructure-level migrations where minimal application changes are required.


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