For many IT leaders, cloud migration is a pivotal moment - a promise of greater flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. But after the initial transition, the reality can be quite different. Instead of achieving streamlined operations and reduced costs, some organisations face hidden expenses, underutilised resources, and a lack of alignment with business goals.
In fact, the stakes of a successful cloud migration are high. According to research, companies could potentially generate trillions of dollars in value by adopting cloud technologies. Yet, despite this promise, achieving these outcomes is far from guaranteed. The reality is that the path from migration to optimisation is filled with challenges, and many organisations find themselves struggling to realise the full value of their cloud investments.
A recent HFS Research report highlighted the disconnect many organisations face in their cloud journeys. While nearly two thirds of companies have made strategic investments in the cloud, fewer than one third are actually realising their ambitions. As Phil Fersht, CEO and chief analyst at HFS Research, put it, “Unfortunately, a lot of companies didn't realise that you need to spend a lot more time and attention figuring out how to optimise your data and processes, and make real changes to the way you operate. A lot of CFOs are turning to their CIOs and asking, ‘What was that all about?’”
As a result, many organisations are now grappling with these common post-migration pain points:
One of the biggest surprises for companies post-migration is cloud costs. While cloud providers promise scalability, without proper oversight, cloud spending can spiral out of control. Unused or underutilised resources, failure to right-size instances, and a lack of cost monitoring can quickly turn projected savings into unexpected expenses.
Instead of streamlining operations, some cloud migrations introduce new complexities. Fragmented systems and data silos can prevent teams from accessing critical information, slowing down decision-making and operational agility. Instead of enabling innovation, these inefficiencies can become roadblocks to productivity.
Migrating to the cloud can introduce new layers of security risk. Organisations must adapt their security protocols to address cloud-specific challenges, such as misconfigured access controls and compliance with evolving regulations. A failure to do so can expose the organisation to data breaches and other cybersecurity threats.
Even the best cloud infrastructure is only as effective as the people managing it. A lack of cloud-specific skills within IT teams can prevent organisations from taking full advantage of the platform’s features. This skills gap can delay critical optimisation efforts and hinder the organisation's ability to adapt the cloud environment to changing needs.
To overcome these challenges and truly benefit from cloud adoption, it’s crucial to reassess your cloud architecture post-migration. Continuous evaluation ensures that your cloud infrastructure remains aligned with your strategic goals, adapts to new business requirements, and delivers on its potential.
This is where a structured approach to optimisation, such as Microsoft’s Azure Well Architected Framework, can make a significant impact. By leveraging this framework, you can identify opportunities to streamline operations, enhance performance, and reduce costs, ensuring that your cloud environment remains efficient and secure.
Microsoft’s Azure Well Architected Framework provides a structured approach to evaluate and improve your cloud environment across five key areas: Cost Optimisation, Operational Excellence, Performance Efficiency, Reliability, and Security. This framework helps you identify and address the common pitfalls that often arise after cloud migration, ensuring that your architecture remains aligned with your business objectives.
By assessing your cloud environment through the lens of these pillars, you gain a clear roadmap to optimising your cloud for long term success.
If your organisation has migrated to the cloud but isn’t seeing the results you hoped for, it may be time to take a closer look at your architecture. An Azure Well Architected Review offers the expertise and insights you need to turn your cloud into a true driver of business value. From cost savings to enhanced security and improved performance, a Well Architected Review ensures that your cloud environment is ready to support your organisation’s ambitions.
Contact TIEVA today to learn how we can help you optimise your cloud infrastructure and achieve your strategic goals.
