In Q1 2024, global spending on cloud infrastructure services surged by $13.5 billion, marking a 21 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Cloud service providers such as AWS have become the backbone of modern IT, driving unparalleled cost savings, flexibility, and enhanced security. In particular, they have maintained a commanding presence in the market, capturing an impressive 31 percent share in the first quarter of 2024.
This growth underscores the rising demand for scalable cloud solutions that optimize both performance and budget. As businesses increasingly rely on AWS for their cloud needs, finding ways to manage cloud migration costs becomes crucial. Our blog explores five proven strategies for minimizing expenses during an AWS cloud migration.
If you’re still not convinced about why you should migrate to the cloud, the image below outlines several key benefits.
Figure 1: Why Migrate to the Cloud?
Cost-Saving Strategies for AWS Cloud Migration
Migrating to AWS can be a game-changer for your business, but it’s crucial to approach it with a cost-effective strategy. Here are some key steps to maximize savings during your migration process.
1. Conduct a Comprehensive Pre-Migration Cost Analysis
The journey to the cloud begins with a thorough pre-migration assessment. Like any significant business change, careful planning is crucial. Businesses need to take inventory of their current systems and applications to determine the most cost-effective and efficient methods for migrating to AWS. Proper cost optimization during this process is vital, as it directly influences the overall efficiency and ROI of your cloud investment.
To get a clear picture of your organization’s potential cloud spend, start by analyzing current usage to spot underutilized resources that can be turned off. Next, evaluate which applications and workloads are primed for migration. Using AWS cost management tools such as AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Trusted Advisor can help to find opportunities to trim cloud migration costs throughout the process.
Next, you need to dive into infrastructure expenses—like instance types, storage, and networking. This will help to uncover areas of overprovisioning and potential savings. Tracking metrics such as efficiency, waste, and consumption will also help keep your spending in check. Finally, calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) using the AWS Pricing Calculator. A thorough approach ensures you understand the true costs of operating in the cloud, so you can make informed, cost-effective decisions.
2. Optimize Services, Pricing Models, and Resource Optimization
Navigating an AWS migration can be complex, but selecting the right pricing model—whether Reserved Instances, Spot Instances, or Compute Savings Plans—can significantly impact your cost management. The right model enhances cost visibility and boosts operational efficiency, giving you a competitive edge. By aligning your workloads with the optimal instance types and services, you can improve performance, reduce waste, and prevent overspending on unused capacity. Prioritizing services, costs, and deployment options ensures a smooth and cost-effective migration process.
Thinking about moving to AWS but worried about cloud migration costs? We’ve got you covered. Cloudelligent and Archera have teamed up to provide a flexible 30-day solution to Savings Plans and Reserved Instances and a 30-day Guaranteed option for enhanced financial control. Want to see how much you could save? Book a Free Cost Optimization Assessment with our experts today.
AWS-managed services such as Amazon RDS, AWS Lambda, Amazon EKS, Amazon CloudFront, and AWS Fargate can further streamline your operations. These services handle critical tasks like database management, machine learning, and analytics, allowing your team to focus on core business objectives. For instance, AWS Lambda charges only for the compute time you use and automatically scales resources to match your application’s needs. Meanwhile, Amazon RDS manages database maintenance and frees your team from the hassle of manual updates.
3. Minimize Data Migration Costs
Minimizing data migration costs requires strategic planning and optimization across several areas. Start by accounting for accumulating data transfer costs and exploring ways to reduce them. For storage cost efficiency, choose the right Amazon S3 usage and select Amazon EBS volume types that align with your specific workload requirements. Additionally, optimize data transfer expenses by leveraging AWS solutions such as AWS Direct Connect, AWS Snowball, and AWS Storage Gateway. These tools can streamline the transfer process and significantly cut costs.
See firsthand how effective cost-saving techniques can transform your data migration process. Read our case study to learn how Cloudelligent helped NRGI successfully migrate to AWS.
4. Implement Rigorous Testing and Cost Monitors
Migrating to the cloud demands a well-rounded approach to manage costs and ensure security. Automating testing and deployment processes not only streamlines operations but also reduces the risk of human error. It’s equally important to have a solid backup plan and a swift recovery process in place to quickly restore data and applications, if necessary, with effective data replication and backup strategies adding an extra layer of protection.
Unlike on-premises infrastructure, cloud environments can unexpectedly drive-up costs if not carefully managed. For instance, a cyberattack on a denial-of-service vulnerability can exploit the cloud’s scalability, resulting in excessive usage charges. While on-premises servers might crash under such an attack, cloud services can lead to significant unintentional expenses. To prevent this, set up billing alerts and budgets during your migration, and utilize the cost controls offered by AWS.
Initial bills can be daunting due to inefficient implementation and unexpected costs. Discover how to uncover and manage hidden AWS expenses with our blog, Navigating 3 Common AWS Billing Challenges, and learn effective strategies for tackling these issues with Cloudelligent’s expert insights.
5. Leverage AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP)
The AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) is truly transformative, offering a holistic approach that addresses every challenge along your migration journey. Designed to simplify and expedite the migration process, AWS MAP helps you minimize risks and unlock the full potential of AWS. Whether you’re moving applications, data, or entire IT environments, this program acts as a strategic guide for your business.
Understanding the various migration strategies is crucial when planning a move to the cloud. AWS MAP identifies gaps in your IT environment and offers tailored recommendations to develop a cost-optimized migration plan, complete with clear goals, timelines, and tools. By partnering with AWS, you can accelerate your migration, enhance your return on investment, and speed up time-to-value. Certified AWS partners like Cloudelligent provide expert guidance and access to financial credits, ensuring a smooth, efficient transition while maximizing your savings.
Figure 2: Three-phased framework of the AWS Migration Acceleration Program
Ready to speed up your move to AWS? Discover how AWS MAP can simplify and accelerate your journey to the cloud. Learn how to navigate AWS with confidence in our blog, Accelerate Cloud Migrations With AWS MAP.
Minimize Your AWS Migration Costs With Cloudelligent
Cloud technology is crucial for modern IT infrastructure—so why wait? Cloudelligent, an AWS Migration Services Competency Partner, is dedicated to ensuring your transition to AWS is both smooth and cost-effective. Our expert team delivers tailored migration and modernization solutions designed to meet your specific needs and reduce costs. The image below illustrates how organizations have successfully optimized performance and reduced costs by migrating to the AWS cloud.
Figure 3: AWS Cloud Migration Stats (Source)
Using proven strategies, best practices, and the right AWS tools, we ensure a seamless, budget-friendly cloud migration. Fast-track your transition by booking your FREE Migration Readiness Assessment (MRA) today. We’ll help you answer any questions about moving to AWS such as migration costs (TCO), methodology, organizational readiness, and more.
