Cloud Migration
Azure, AWS & Microsoft 365
Move to the cloud without the disruption. We assess what you have, plan the move, migrate in stages and look after the environment once you are live, so the cloud works for the business instead of adding complexity.
What cloud migration involves
Cloud migration means moving your servers, applications, data or email from equipment you own and run to a cloud platform such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services or Microsoft 365. Done well, it replaces ageing hardware and capital spend with a service that can be resized as the business changes.
Done badly, it moves problems from one place to another and adds a cloud bill. The difference is almost always in the assessment and the planning, not the technical move itself.
Three ways to move a workload
Not every system should be moved the same way. Rehosting, often called lift and shift, moves a server to the cloud largely as it is, which is quick but keeps old design problems. Replatforming makes modest changes so a workload suits the cloud better, such as moving a database to a managed service. Rebuilding or replacing, for example swapping an old application for a software-as-a-service product, takes longer but usually gives the best long-term result.
A good plan assigns each workload to one of these paths on its merits, instead of treating the whole estate the same.
Azure, AWS or Microsoft 365: which fits?
If your business already runs on Windows and Microsoft 365, Azure often fits naturally because identity, security and management tools are shared. AWS can suit workloads built around its services. Many small businesses need only Microsoft 365 for email and files and have no need for servers in the cloud at all. The right answer depends on your applications, your licensing and the skills you have to run them.
Signs you may be ready to move
- Servers are near the end of their life and need replacing
- Staff work from home or from several sites and need reliable access
- Backups and disaster recovery depend on one room or one building
- Email and files are held on equipment nobody wants to maintain
- Upfront hardware spend is hard to plan for
- You are growing and need to add capacity without buying more equipment
What is not included
The cloud platform's own usage charges and any software licences are paid to the provider and are separate from our fees. Major changes to line-of-business software, such as a vendor's upgrade or a rebuild of a custom application, are scoped separately. Your proposal states exactly what is covered.
What We Deliver
Cloud Readiness Assessment
We review your servers, applications, data and connectivity to see what can move, what should stay and what to retire, before any money is spent.
Migration Planning
A written plan that sets the order of the move, the cutover times and how each step can be reversed if something does not go to plan.
Server & Workload Migration
File servers, applications and virtual machines are moved to Azure, AWS or a hybrid setup in stages, with each stage tested before the next begins.
Microsoft 365 Migration
Email, calendars, files and shared data are moved to Microsoft 365 with the minimum of disruption to your staff.
Security & Governance
Identity, access control, backups and security baselines are built in from the start, not added after the move.
Post-Migration Support
After go-live we monitor, tune and support the environment, and review cost and performance so the move keeps paying for itself.
Why Choose TandemIT
How a Migration Runs
- Step 1
Assess
A free assessment of your current environment, what it costs to run and which workloads suit the cloud.
- Step 2
Plan
A written migration plan with the order of the move, cutover timing, risks and a clear price.
- Step 3
Migrate in stages
Workloads move in tested stages, with a way to reverse a step if something does not behave as expected.
- Step 4
Optimise and support
After go-live we monitor the environment and review performance and cost, so the cloud keeps working for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a cloud migration take?
It depends on how much is moving. Moving email and files to Microsoft 365 can take days to weeks, while migrating servers and applications takes longer. The migration plan sets out the timeline before you commit.
Will there be downtime?
We plan cutovers to keep disruption small, and where possible schedule them outside business hours. The plan explains which steps need a short outage and when.
How much does it cost?
Cost depends on what is moving and how. After the free assessment you receive a proposal with the scope and the price for the project, plus an estimate of the ongoing cloud charges so there are no surprises.
Will the cloud cost more than running our own servers?
It can if it is not managed, because cloud costs grow quietly. That is why we assess and size the environment properly before the move, and review spend afterwards.
Do we keep control of our data?
Yes. Your data remains yours, and access, backups and retention are documented as part of the design.
Can we move only part of our environment?
Yes. Many businesses move email and files first and keep specialised systems where they are, or run a hybrid setup. The assessment identifies what makes sense to move and in what order.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact us for a free, no-obligation assessment. We'll review your current setup and show you where you can improve.
Get a Free Assessment