Cost savings may be one benefit of a cloud migration, but the real value is the potential it unlocks for your digital transformation initiatives.
Reducing costs is a potential outcome of a cloud migration; however, it’s not usually the sole impetus for migrating. The value gained from migrating to the cloud can go beyond financial benefits. In fact, one cannot assume that services will automatically be cheaper in the cloud.
For agencies looking to understand the full value of a successful cloud migration, IT leaders should consider the “migration bubble” that appears during the initial phases of a cloud migration. Because every cloud migration journey is unique, the velocity of a migration and how quickly you realize value will vary from workload to workload or project to project.
An agency should also consider potential deceleration events that can slow a migration and cause unforeseen issues that increase costs.
In my experience, there have been two common events that slow down migration projects.
The first, as outlined in the first blog in this series, is the need for senior leader alignment. For example, the responsibility for a workload’s lifecycle is rarely owned by a single entity within an organization; when a migration is siloed to a single business unit, without executive sponsorship and buy-in across the organization, this lack of alignment can potentially hinder the time it takes to complete a successful migration. This ultimately delays the time-to-value progress.
The second event that can delay the success of a migration is a misconception that an agency can complete a migration on its own. Let's be straightforward: migrations are complex. There are inherent risks involved, especially when attempting a migration for the first time. While some agencies have undergone multiple successful migrations and gained momentum, others are new to this process. Whether it's your first or subsequent migration, having a trusted industry partner like Maximus by your side is an invaluable asset. Our expertise and guidance can make a significant difference in ensuring a smooth and successful migration.
Despite the challenges, a cloud migration presents an incredible opportunity to align directly with the goals outlined in the President’s Management Agenda. The Biden Administration emphasizes the significance of enhancing customer services and delivering a seamless customer experience, which can be achieved through cloud migration efforts.
Implementing a new cloud-enabled infrastructure allows for the adoption of innovative features and solutions. At Maximus, we utilize a range of technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and chatbots, to assist agencies in improving their services and meeting the requirements of their constituents more effectively.
It's crucial to recognize the long-term benefits of the cloud, especially in the initial phase, where the focus is often on cost savings alone. The government is witnessing a surge of enthusiasm for emerging technologies like edge computing,zero trust architectures, and generative AI capabilities. These exciting advancements are made possible because of the cloud.
Understanding the dynamic nature of technology is vital because its benefits can evolve over time. To realize the full value of a cloud migration, agencies should continually assess how to enhance performance and cost-effectiveness in their new cloud environment while staying prepared for the future.
To learn more about how together, Maximus and AWS are helping our customers accelerate their cloud migration journey, visit: https://maximus.com/cloud-migration-partner.