If you're like most businesses, you've long since moved your email to Microsoft 365. You are also likely using many other cloud productivity applications. You probably still have on-premise servers to host your files, major business applications, and core network functions.

You are probably wondering how you can get rid of your servers so you don't have to store, maintain or replace them as they age.

In order to get rid of your servers there are 3 key workloads you need to move to the Cloud

1. Your files

2. Your server-based applications

3. Your core IT/network functions

In this article we’ll cover the some of the considerations and solutions to moving those workloads.

The Next Steps

Move Your Files to the Cloud

If you are using Microsoft 365, the most logical next step is to move your files from your server into Microsoft 365. Generally, this process is simple; we conduct a meeting to plan the migration, provide some training for your staff and perform the migration for you.

As for cost, Microsoft 365 includes a substantial amount of storage with each Microsoft 365 subscription, but if you end up needing more or outgrowing the included storage, additional storage is inexpensive ($26/mo per TB at the time of writing this).

In some cases, for example Autodesk CAD products, certain data types are better hosted in the specific vendor's cloud to improve usability and workflow. Determining the best location for your different data types is something your happier IT Client Success Manager can guide you on.

Another critical consideration for files is ensuring you have a backup. Microsoft ensures that a hardware/system failure won't lose your data, but they do not include any backup that will enable you to recover data in cases like hackers, accidental/malicious deletion, or Ransomware. We highly recommend investing in a backup for your data as you would at your office. Click here to learn about Microsoft 365 Backup.

Move your Applications to the Cloud

For most organizations, this is the most complicated step. Many businesses use server-based applications for their core business functions. There are two options to consider when moving these applications.

Consider changing to a different cloud-native application.

Cloud-native applications are designed and built on the cloud and are typically accessed through a web browser. You usually pay a subscription fee per month per user for the application.

Changing your core business applications is, however, the most challenging option. You will need to get buy-in from staff, verify with each affected team if the software will meet their needs, verify if the application with integrate with your other existing software/devices and go through the exercises of retraining your users and migrating your processes and historic data to the new application.

There are several things beyond to consider when changing to a cloud-native application. Things like the reliability of the application, data privacy, cyber security, data sovereignty, and integration/expansion capabilities.

It's also worth noting that, depending on the system you're migrating, you may end up needing to keep your old server-based system online for reference or legal reasons (such as financial audit trail).

Keep your existing server-based application but move it to the cloud.

It is possible to reduce/eliminate your on-premise server footprint while keeping your existing server-based applications. This option is the easiest and minimizes impact on the business and your staff.

In this option, we work with you and your software vendors to move your server-based applications from servers that you own in your office into our secure, reliable Cloud Server infrastructure hosted in our Canadian datacenter. With this option, your applications can be more secure than ever through our built-in security features and a full suite of cybersecurity options. Things like data privacy, data sovereignty, etc., do not change.

Move your Core IT/Network Functions to the Cloud

Most organizations take the core IT/Network functions that their servers provide for granted. Servers provide critical functions such as authenticating users, ensuring computers can connect to the internet, users can print to network-based printers, and much more. In some cases, servers even provide critical functions for door access control systems, security cameras, and even Wi-Fi.

Move from Active Directory to Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)

Active Directory is the central system that makes a network function. It maintains a database of users that your staff authenticate against, maintains permissions to data and applications, and controls the configuration of your computers. Active Directory is a server-based system, and it was designed for a time when most users were located in offices.

With Microsoft 365, you already have Azure AD, but your computers and users likely still use Active Directory. Moving from Active Directory to Azure AD is a relatively simple process; we conduct a meeting to plan the migration, provide some training for your staff and perform the migration for you.

Some of your applications may still require traditional Active Directory. If that is the case, we will help structure a hybrid Active Directory system for you.

Azure AD does have some limitations, such as a lack of Group Policy, a major feature used by many organizations to ensure the standardized configuration of their computers. However, happier IT's tools can replicate much of this lost functionality.

Move to Cloud-Managed Networking

Your on-premise server provides network management and troubleshooting functions. Cloud-managed networking solves this problem by moving network logs, management functions, and troubleshooting capabilities to the cloud, eliminating the need for an on-premise server.

Moving to Cloud-managed Networking is simple; we review your network infrastructure, develop a replacement plan, and once purchased, we install the new cloud-managed infrastructure for you.

Move other Core Functions to the Cloud

Your server may be providing core functionality for many of your office's critical subsystems such as Door/Gate Access Control, Security Cameras, HVAC, etc. These subsystems either need to remain on an on-premise server or be changed/upgraded to a cloud-managed solution.

Cloud Complexity

Most organizations are using 10x-30x more applications today than just five years ago. Many of these applications are being used at an individual or department level, not even organization-wide. (Our new cloud-usage reporting can show you which cloud applications your staff are using today and who is using them)

As your organization leverages these applications, onboarding and offboarding employees must be properly managed to ensure data security/privacy and minimize licensing costs. Your Client Success Manager can work with you to ensure that our onboarding and offboarding procedures include user administration of your cloud applications.

Standardizing/consolidating your cloud applications across departments can lower costs, centralize data, simplify administration and ensure you meet your compliance requirements. Your Client Success Manager can work with you to review the cloud applications your organization is using, identify risks and look for opportunities to standardize.

Centralizing your application authentication across cloud apps helps protect the data stored in those cloud apps and ensures access is revoked quickly if an employee is terminated. Many applications support this using Single Sign-On (SSO) through Azure AD. Your Client Success Manager can determine if SSO is compatible with your sanctioned cloud apps and coordinate the configuration.

Your Cloud Partner

We are here to support and facilitate your move to the cloud and work to ensure your data in the cloud is secure. Speak to your Client Success Manager today to plan the next step on your organization's journey to the cloud. Email your Client Success Manager today to start the conversation.

If you’re not yet a client, schedule a call with a happier IT representative to learn more.