Cloud migration has become critical for companies hoping to modernize and compete with optimal agility. Fortunately, many companies that have already made the move provide us with some important lessons learned that can help us lay out a workable blueprint for our projects.
In this article, we will explore the evolution and development of cloud migration strategies, with a specific focus on the R Models.
The Origin of R Models
The concept of using R Models in cloud migration strategies originated from Gartner, a leading research and advisory company. Gartner introduced the 5 R’s migration strategy, which provided a framework for organizations to classify their applications based on their suitability for migration to the cloud.
The 5 R’s, as laid out by Gartner, stood for:
Rehost (lift-and-shift): This approach involves moving applications to the cloud infrastructure without making significant changes. It’s a good approach for applications that are highly compatible with the target cloud environment and do not require substantial modifications.
Refactor (re-architect): Refactoring involves making architectural changes to the application to optimize it for the cloud environment. This approach allows organizations to take advantage of cloud-native features and services, enhancing the application’s performance and scalability.
Revise (re-platform): The revise approach involves making platform-specific modifications to the application while retaining its core functionality. It allows organizations to migrate applications to a different platform within the cloud ecosystem, optimizing performance and reducing dependency on legacy systems.
Rebuild (re-develop): Rebuilding an application involves redeveloping it from scratch using cloud-native technologies and services. This approach allows organizations to modernize their applications, taking full advantage of cloud capabilities.
Replace (drop and shop): The replace approach entails replacing existing applications with off-the-shelf cloud-based software solutions. It is suitable for applications with limited customization requirements or those that existing cloud offerings can easily replace.f
If a cloud migration project is in your company’s future, leveraging [the R Models] is a smart move.
AWS 6 R’s Migration Strategy
Building upon the Gartner 5 R’s migration strategy, Amazon Web Services (AWS) introduced its own set of migration strategies known as the AWS 6 R’s migration strategy. The AWS 6 R’s strategy includes an additional R, making it six in total.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the 6 R’s as AWS laid them out, with the relevant AWA solutions included.
Rehost (lift-and-shift): Like the Gartner approach, rehosting involves moving applications to AWS without significant modifications. AWS provides tools and services like AWS Server Migration Service (SMS) to simplify rehosting.
Replatform (lift-tinker-and-shift): Replatforming refers to making minor adjustments to the application to leverage AWS-specific services while maintaining the core architecture. This approach allows organizations to take advantage of AWS services like Amazon RDS or AWS Lambda.
Repurchase: The repurchase approach involves replacing existing applications with AWS marketplace solutions or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings. Organizations can expedite the migration process and reduce development efforts by leveraging pre-built solutions.
Refactor (re-architect): This approach aligns with the Gartner approach, where organizations make architectural changes to the application to optimize it for the AWS cloud environment. AWS provides services like Elastic Beanstalk and App Runner to facilitate refactoring.
Retire: The retire approach involves identifying and decommissioning applications no longer required, optimizing the cloud infrastructure and reducing costs.
New, added by AWS:
Retain: The retain approach allows organizations to keep certain applications on-premises or in a non-AWS environment. This strategy suits applications with specific compliance or regulatory requirements that cannot be met in the cloud.
Introducing the AWS 7 R’s Migration Strategy
Continuing the trend of evolution and innovation in cloud migration strategies, AWS recently introduced the AWS 7 R’s migration strategy. This strategy builds upon the AWS 6 R’s and includes an additional R, making it even more comprehensive.
The seventh R stands for:
Reimagine: The reimagine approach encourages organizations to reinvent their applications and business processes completely, leveraging modern cloud-native technologies and practices. It involves embracing a mindset of innovation and exploring new ways to deliver value to customers.
The AWS 7 R’s migration strategy acknowledges the need for organizations to not only migrate their existing applications but also reimagine and innovate to stay competitive in the cloud-first era. AWS aims to enable digital transformation and accelerate innovation by encouraging organizations to think beyond mere migration.
Real-Life Examples of Successful Cloud Migrations Using R Models
Numerous organizations have successfully migrated to the cloud using the R Models, reaping significant benefits while addressing challenges along the way.
A few real-life examples:
Netflix: The streaming giant embraced the rehost (lift-and-shift) approach to migrate its massive infrastructure from on-premises data centers to AWS. This migration allowed Netflix to scale rapidly, improve reliability, and reduce costs.
Capital One: The banking company opted for the repurchase approach, replacing its legacy systems with AWS marketplace solutions. This led to improved agility and faster time-to-market for new products and services.
Airbnb: The online accommodation platform utilized the rebuild (re-develop) approach to modernize its infrastructure and embrace a microservices architecture. This allowed Airbnb to improve scalability, enhance performance, and introduce new features quickly.
Expedia: The travel company adopted a hybrid approach, leveraging the refactor (re-architect) and repurchase strategies. This allowed Expedia to optimize its applications for AWS while also taking advantage of pre-built solutions.
Final Thoughts
Cloud migration is a big project that requires careful planning and consideration. The good news is that many companies have paved the way through trial and error and produced some helpful pathways codified in the evolving “R Models.” If a cloud migration project is in your company’s future, leveraging them is a smart move.
Pick the Right Migration Strategy with CM evolveIT
CM evolveIT provides a comprehensive suite of tools and services designed to help you assess your legacy application and help you pick the migration strategy most likely to achieve your company’s objectives.
The tool’s granular approach to modernization is designed to help you get the process underway with minimal disruption to your existing operations. You’ll be able to extract and re-engineer individual components before taking the final critical modernization step.
When your modernization effort is finally underway, CM evolveIT will assist with a suite of tools and services designed to automate the migration process, including code analysis and transformation tools that help you understand the structure of your legacy code and identify areas for improvement.
Contact CM First today to learn more about how our CM evolveIT software can help you modernize your systems, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
