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Cloud Readiness Assessment

A cloud readiness assessment can transform an organization’s vague idea of moving to the cloud into a detailed roadmap that explains how to make it happen and in what order events must occur. As more companies see the value in having the agility and elasticity that virtual environments provide, these reviews serve an invaluable function, offering solid footing before moving forward with plans.

What is a Cloud Readiness Assessment?

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Cloud Readiness Assessment Definition: A cloud readiness assessment is a process that makes use of a cloud readiness assessment checklist; an itemized list that indicates if applications and data can be moved to the cloud smoothly, with minimal impact to business operations during the transition. Using data gathered by a cloud readiness assessment tool, visual representations of the organization’s needs can be created, along with details about what steps need to be taken in order for the migration to go smoothly.

Cloud Readiness Assessment Tools

Various tools are available to help an organization determine how prepared it is to migrate, though all tools are not created equally. Individual applications may have dependencies or may require a specific environment and certain processes within specific industries have unique protocols that must be followed in regard to data management or security. Selecting the right tools based on the overall goals, existing framework, and future environment is the first step toward having a smooth migration.

Cloud Readiness Assessment as a Risk Mitigation Tool

On the surface, having a comprehensive assessment performed makes sense from the standpoint of simplifying the process. However, it’s also instrumental in identifying risks and creating strategies to overcome them. This is paramount with processes that directly impact business operations as well as things that affect employees, such as payroll applications. Having the right checks performed makes it possible to identify and avoid costly mistakes or issues.

Cloud Readiness Assessment Checklist

  1. Current loads and needs must be measured to determine the requirements of the future environment.
  2. It should be verified that any data and applications are designed to work in the new environment and if/how to alter them in order to ensure they can migrate if they don’t integrate well to start with.
  3. If new cloud-based applications are being used in conjunction with existing programs, tests should be run to make sure they work together well and to see how they can be adapted if there are issues.
  4. All new processes and software should be checked for security and compliance with any regulatory requirements or best practices that apply.
  5. Checks should be performed to ensure that the old environment will release data and that the new environment will readily accept any old data, without losses or corruption.
  6. Timeframes should be confirmed in regard to determining which processes should be moved first, while taking into account the impact each process has on business operations, to ensure no changes are made at a time when the data or application gets the most use. Many companies opt to move to virtual environments and programs all at once, but in some cases, individual processes are moved to minimize disruption.
  7. Naturally, key decision-makers and influencers within the company should be on board with any changes long before they begin to roll out. In addition to this, an employee training program or onboarding process should be carried out, to ensure everyone is aware of the benefits of the new procedures and can make use of additional features.