Moving your infrastructure to the cloud is often described as a journey, but without a map, it can quickly feel more like a trek through the wilderness.
For many UK organisations, the drive toward Microsoft Azure is fuelled by the need for scalability and the desire to retire aging hardware. However, with many businesses applying a lift-and-shift approach, you often find the same mess and challenges in the cloud as on-premise.
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Azure, Bridgeall has guided countless organisations through this transition. To help you prepare, we’ve distilled our consultancy experience into this essential Azure migration checklist.
Our 10-Point Azure Migration Checklist
- Audit Your Digital Estate
Catalogue every server, application, and database. Use AI-driven discovery tools to identify unused assets that should be retired rather than migrated.
- Map Your Dependencies
Identify which apps talk to each other. Understanding these connections prevents service breakage when you move one part of a system before the other.
- Calculate Your Cloud TCO
Compare your current on-premise costs (power, cooling, hardware refresh) against Azure’s consumption model. Factor in Azure Hybrid Benefit to save on licensing.
- Build Your Azure Landing Zone
Do not migrate into an empty room. Set up your “Landing Zone” first, this includes your virtual networks, identity management (Microsoft Entra ID), and governance policies.
- Choose Your Strategy
Categorise every app: will you Rehost (lift and shift), Refactor, Rearchitect, Rebuild, or Replace (move to SaaS)?
- Harden Your Security & Compliance
Implement Zero Trust principles from day one. Ensure your environment meets UK GDPR requirements and Cyber Essentials Plus standards using Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
- Establish High-Speed Connectivity
Ensure your local network can handle the transition. Consider Azure ExpressRoute for a private, high-speed connection that bypasses the public internet.
- Run a Pilot Migration
Pick a non-critical workload for a dry run. This allows you to test your Landing Zone and connectivity without risking core business operations.
- Execute in Managed Waves
Move your assets in phases. Start with low-complexity apps and move toward mission-critical systems as your team grows more comfortable with the new environment.
- Post-Move Cost Optimisation
The move is just the beginning. Use Azure Cost Management to right-size your resources, scaling down unused capacity and automating shutdown times for non-production environments.
Partner with an Azure Migration Specialist
The difference between a stressful migration and a seamless transition often comes down to experience. At Bridgeall, we don’t just provide the checklist; we provide the senior Azure consultants to execute it. Discover our full range of Azure Migration services today.
