# Accelerate Your Cloud Migration Journey With Cloud Assessment Technology ## Context Cloud migration is the top priority for IT executives as per the survey by leading research firms. Gartner (in their [technology trends 2021](https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-6-trends-impacting-infrastructure-operations-in-2021/)) and SaaS vendors like Flexera (published 2021 [State of Cloud Report](https://info.flexera.com/CM-REPORT-State-of-the-Cloud)) have predicted that COVID-19 has accelerated Cloud migration plans and the key message coming out as: > _Accelerated Cloud Migration is the need of the hour and continues to be the top priority as a strategic initiative for 2021 and beyond._ With Cloud Migration as a key priority, the initial stage of the journey starts with the Cloud assessment phase, and many organizations face challenges to accelerate at this early stage itself. ## Current State Assessment Challenge The first step of Cloud migration assessment starts with the **current state assessment,** and the formulation of the **target state** (inc. selection of Cloud-native services) happens incrementally. Current state assessment itself is a time-consuming process as most of the organizations do not have updated current state documented for a variety of reasons. Additionally, in order for executives to agree upon a future state for each application by applying a Cloud migration strategy like [Amazon 6R cloud migration](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/whitepapers/latest/aws-migration-whitepaper/the-6-rs-6-application-migration-strategies.html), the Cloud assessment phase needs to be accelerated itself. Key challenges during the assessment phase are: - Timeliness of current state assessment for Cloud readiness - Timeliness of future state of each application - Tangible cost/benefit assessment - Tangible business value assessment - Predictable success rate for migrated applications ## Cloud Assessment & Acceleration To address the above challenges, having a Cloud Assessment Framework and approach is the key to kickstart the Cloud migration process. A Cloud readiness assessment is a comprehensive process to determine organizational readiness applying application discovery and assessments with an industry-proven approach. Cloud Assessment Framework helps to accelerate the Cloud readiness assessment and helps to produce deliverables like **Cloud Migration Roadmap and Application Prioritization Matrix.** > _Establishing the importance of Cloud assessment phase is not enough; acceleration by applying the right Cloud assessment framework is key during the initial phase._ A sample deliverable as an output of the assessment phase — **Application Prioritization Matrix:** [![](https://vedcraft.com/images/2021/04/application-migration-matrix.png)](https://vedcraft.com/images/2021/04/application-migration-matrix.png) ## Cloud Assessment Technologies Instead of reinventing the wheel, applying the right set of Cloud assessment tools and technologies helps to accelerate the Cloud migration assessment phase. At a broader level, these tools can be categorized as below: ### #1 Cloud migration assessment tools by Cloud Service Providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) - Amazon (AWS) — [AWS Cloud Adoption Readiness Tool](https://cart.splashthat.com/), [AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP)](https://aws.amazon.com/migration-acceleration-program/), [Migration Evaluator](https://aws.amazon.com/migration-evaluator/), and [AWS Migration Hub](https://aws.amazon.com/migration-hub/) - Microsoft Azure — [Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=7826) and [Azure Migrate](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/services/azure-migrate) - Google Cloud — [Google Migrate for Compute Engine](https://cloud.google.com/migrate/compute-engine) and the [Google Storage Transfer Service](https://cloud.google.com/storage-transfer-service) ### #2 Cloud migration assessment tools by Specialized Vendors - [Movere](https://www.movere.io/) — acquired by Microsoft in 2019 - [Stratozone](https://www.stratozone.com/) — acquired by Google in 2020 - [CloudPhysics](https://www.cloudphysics.com/) — acquired by HP in 2021 - [Risk Networks](https://www.riscnetworks.com/) (Flexera) — acquired by Flexera in 2019 - [TSO Logic](https://aws.amazon.com/migration-evaluator/) — acquired by AWS in 2019 - [Cloudamize](https://www.cloudamize.com/) — partnered with Google Cloud, Azure & AWS - [CAST Highlight](https://www.castsoftware.com/products/highlight#overview) — part of CAST Software for source-code level assessment for Cloud readiness - [Cloud Atlas](https://www.cloudatlasinc.com/) — a suite of tools for Cloud migration (CloudRecon — inventory, CloudPilot — source code analysis, CloudSupervisor — manage cost & compliance, CloudOrigin — manage/secure) > The acquisition of most of the assessment vendors by leading companies is an indicator in itself that automated Cloud migration assessment is the next big thing. [![Cloud-Assessment-Vendors](https://vedcraft.com/images/2021/07/Cloud-Assessment-Vendors.png)](https://vedcraft.com/images/2021/07/Cloud-Assessment-Vendors.png) Cloud-Assessment-Vendors # Conclusion To conclude, establishing a Cloud assessment framework and using out-of-the-box technology provides the acceleration required during the early stage of the Cloud migration journey. The decision to leverage a Cloud service provider’s tool or using a specialized vendor is contextual and dependent on various factors under consideration. Furthermore, having a consulting firm helps to provide a vendor-neutral perspective and make the right strategic decision with the future state in mind. **References**: - [Flexera Cloud Computing Trends: 2021 State of the Cloud Report](https://www.flexera.com/blog/cloud/cloud-computing-trends-2021-state-of-the-cloud-report/) - [Gartner Top 6 Trends Impacting Infrastructure & Operations in 2021](https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-6-trends-impacting-infrastructure-operations-in-2021/) - [Cloud Assessment Tools and Frameworks for Migration by Trianz](https://www.trianz.com/insights/cloud-assessment-tools) ## Related Articles - [Key Takeaways from Google I/O Keynote 2021 Session](https://vedcraft.com/tech-trends/key-takeaways-from-google-io-2021-keynote/) - [When to adopt an Emerging Technology](https://vedcraft.com/tech-trends/when-to-adopt-an-emerging-technology/) - [Key Technology Events](https://vedcraft.com/tech-events/)