*Cloud migration *has become a strategic priority for businesses seeking agility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. However, executing a smooth transition to the cloud without disrupting business operations is not easy – it requires careful planning and the right cloud migration strategy.
At Peruzzi Solutions, we specialise in crafting tailored cloud migration strategies from full-scale transformation projects to incremental migrations using Microsoft Azure. In a previous article, we discussed a guideline about cloud migration. In this article, we’ll share the 7 proven types of cloud migration strategies and share practical insights to help you choose the best approach for your organization.
Why do cloud migration strategies matter?
Moving to the cloud is not a one-size-fits-all process. As each organisation has unique workloads, legacy systems, compliance requirements, and risk tolerance levels, adopting the wrong migration strategy can result in business downtime, data loss, or cost overruns. We all experienced the mini heartattack when hours of work did not get saved because the compuer froze or it needed an immediate restart. Now imagine this data loss with years of hard work just because of moving to the cloud! Fortunately, there are cloud migration strategies to avoid these very frustrating scenarios.
Understanding the core migration strategies in cloud computing allows businesses to make informed decisions while minimising disruption and maximising return on investment.
The 7 R’s of cloud migration strategies
1. Rehosting (lift-and-shift)
Best for: Fast migration with minimal code changes
Use case: When speed is critical or you’re dealing with legacy systems
Rehosting involves moving existing applications to the cloud with little or no modification. This is often the starting point for many companies initiating their Azure cloud migration strategies or AWS cloud migration strategies.
At Peruzzi Solutions, we’ve helped retail clients rehost their entire e-commerce platforms to Microsoft Azure within weeks - maintaining business continuity throughout the process.
Best for: Improving performance without changing the app’s core architecture
Use case: When small optimisations (e.g., using managed services) can reduce operational burden
This strategy involves slight adjustments to applications to take better advantage of cloud-native features. For example, moving from self-hosted databases to Azure SQL Database or Amazon RDS.
Our healthcare client, based in London, adopted this approach to move clinical data systems to Azure while enhancing uptime and security compliance.
3. Repurchasing (drop-and-shop)
Best for: Replacing legacy software with SaaS
Use case: When the existing solution no longer meets business needs
Repurchasing involves moving to a new, cloud-based product (often SaaS, Software as a Service). Think Salesforce replacing a legacy CRM. It’s a clean break and can significantly reduce costs.
One of our financial services clients replaced their outdated project management suite with Microsoft 365 and Power Platform, significantly improving collaboration and cost-efficiency.
4. Refactoring or re-architecting
Best for: Building cloud-native apps for scalability and performance
Use case: When legacy applications block innovation or don’t scale
This is the most complex but also the most rewarding of the cloud migration strategies. It involves reimagining how an application is architected and developed using cloud-native tools and frameworks.
We guided a fintech startup through complete refactoring on Azure, enabling microservices-based deployment, auto-scaling, and real-time analytics- leading to a 40% reduction in infrastructure costs.
5. Retire (eliminate)
Best for: Cutting unnecessary costs
Use case: When certain apps or services are no longer needed
Just like we humans, some applications also need to retire after they have done their job. Identifing redundant or unused applications during the migration assessment phase can save time, money, and complexity during your move.
During one cloud migration consulting engagement, we helped a client retire 15% of their applications - saving over £20,000 annually in licensing and maintenance costs.
6. Retain (revisit)
Best for: Apps not ready for cloud or with compliance constraints
Use case: When specific workloads must remain on-premises
Sometimes, the best decision is to retain certain apps temporarily. This is a strategic delay rather than resistance to change. The key is to document why they’re staying and when to reassess.
A government organisation we work with retained some systems due to GDPR and sovereignty concerns - while migrating less sensitive workloads to Azure Government Cloud.
7. Hybrid approach
Best for: Organisations with mixed cloud-readiness
Use case: Gradual migration, minimal risk
Many enterprises benefit from combining multiple strategies. A hybrid cloud migration strategy blends on-premises, public, and private cloud environments for flexibility and control.
At Peruzzi Solutions, we often recommend a hybrid approach for large-scale projects. For instance, in retail, POS systems might stay on-premise while backend inventory management and analytics move to the cloud.
Choosing the right strategy with our consultancy services
Whether you’re evaluating Azure cloud migration strategies, or multi-cloud options, success starts with a tailored roadmap. Here’s what we consider:
- Workload analysis
- Compliance and security requirements
- Cost-efficiency and ROI
- Business continuity and risk tolerance
- Team readiness and training needs
Our cloud migration consulting services start with a readiness assessment and architecture review, followed by strategic recommendations that align with your goals.
As a trusted Microsoft Solutions Partner based in London, we provide end-to-end cloud migration managed services, from planning to post-migration support. Our clients span industries including healthcare, retail, financial services, and logistics.
We offer:
- Expert Azure migration specialists
- UK-based support teams
- Security-first migration methodologies
- Transparent pricing models
- Long-term cloud optimisation strategies
Summary
Choosing the right cloud migration strategy isn’t just a technical decision, it’s a business one. Whether you’re looking to lift-and-shift, replatform, or fully re-architect your applications, Peruzzi Solutions ensures a smooth journey to the cloud with minimal disruption.
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