Your Step-by-Step Blueprint for Migrating from On-Prem to Azure
Migrating to the cloud is no longer just an IT upgrade—it’s a fundamental shift in how businesses operate, scale, and grow. Moving from on-premises infrastructure to Azure opens the door to incredible benefits: scalability, cost savings, and increased agility.
But let’s be honest: the process can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you ensure nothing critical gets overlooked?
That’s why I’ve created a 5-step blueprint to make your migration smoother and more manageable. By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to move to the cloud with confidence and set your business up for success.
Step 1: Take Inventory
Every great migration starts with understanding what you already have. Take a detailed inventory of your current data infrastructure, including:
Databases: Document your database servers and configurations.
Data Sources: Capture all the systems and sources your data flows from (e.g., APIs, flat files, SharePoint lists).
ETL Processes: List out your current workflows (e.g., SSIS packages, Python scripts).
Reports: Catalog your reporting tools, such as SSRS, Crystal Reports, or Excel-based reporting.
Pro Tip: While you’re documenting your systems, identify the key players—those who rely on or maintain these systems. They’ll be critical as you plan the next steps.
Step 2: Identify What to Decommission
One of the biggest opportunities of migrating to Azure is the chance to shed outdated systems and streamline your operations.
Document physical hardware, virtual machines, and software that can be retired.
Map dependencies to ensure you don’t decommission something critical.
Estimate the cost savings of eliminating maintenance, licensing, and even physical server space.
Don’t forget to securely wipe sensitive data from decommissioned hardware or repurpose it in environmentally friendly ways.
Step 3: Collaborate with Partners and Champions
Migration isn’t a solo project—it’s a team effort. Engage key business partners who will be impacted by the migration and bring in champions. These are the people in your organization who thrive on change and will help drive excitement and adoption.
You might also consider engaging an external consultant at this stage. They can help you identify gaps, validate your approach, and provide expert guidance to ensure a smooth transition.
Step 4: Evaluate Cloud Resources and Estimate Costs
Azure offers a wide range of tools and services, so it’s essential to evaluate what you’ll need:
Security: Key Vaults, private endpoints.
Compute: ETL/ELT tools (ADF, Synapse, Databricks), virtual machines.
Storage: ADLS, Blob Storage.
Databases: Azure SQL, Synapse Serverless, Delta Lake, or even Snowflake.
Use Azure’s cost estimation tool to plan your monthly and upfront costs. This helps you manage your budget and align resources with business needs.
Step 5: Kick Off Your Migration
With your prep work done, it’s time to migrate! Start with a pilot migration—choose one application, pipeline, or department to move first.
This approach allows you to test and refine your process.
Identify bottlenecks and address issues early before scaling up.
Gradually migrate the rest of your infrastructure with confidence.
Pro Tip: Use this opportunity to explore Azure-native features and optimize your workflows.
Why Migration Matters
Cloud migration isn’t just about adopting new technology—it’s about future-proofing your business. Whether you’re preparing for high-demand events like Black Friday or looking to cut costs and improve efficiency, Azure empowers you to scale and adapt seamlessly.
To help you on this journey, I’ve created a free On-Prem to Azure Migration Checklist that breaks down these steps into actionable items. Download it now and get started today!
You can also view the video walk through!
Conclusion
Migrating to Azure may seem complex, but with the right plan in place, it’s a process that can transform your business. By following this 5-step blueprint, you’ll be able to navigate your migration with confidence, avoid common pitfalls, and fully leverage the power of the cloud.
Have questions about your migration? Reach out to me via the Contact Page!