| Cloud | Primary Tool | Database Tools | Cost |
|---|
| AWS | AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) | DMS, RDS, Aurora Babelfish | $0 first 90 days, $0.042/hr/server after |
| Azure | Azure Migrate | Azure Database Migration Service, Data Migration Assistant | Free tooling; pay for Azure services |
| GCP | Google Cloud Migration Center | Database Migration Service, BigQuery Data Transfer Service | Free tooling; pay for GCP services |
| Third-party | Carbonite Migrate, Zerto, Veeam, Movere | Various | License + service fees |
Source: AWS, Azure, GCP migration tooling documentation, 2026.
Migration phases
A typical enterprise cloud migration runs through 6 phases over 12 to 36 months. Skipping phases creates downstream rework.
| Phase | Duration | Activities |
|---|
| 1. Assessment | 4-8 weeks | Application portfolio inventory, dependency mapping, TCO analysis |
| 2. Planning | 4-8 weeks | Migration wave definition, landing zone, security, network design |
| 3. Pilot | 4-8 weeks | Migrate 5-10 application, validate tooling, refine runbooks |
| 4. Execution | 3-12 months | Migrate applications in waves, validate, decommission source |
| 5. Optimization | 3-6 months | Rightsizing, commitment purchases, FinOps implementation |
| 6. Operate | Ongoing | Run cloud operations, continuous optimization, governance |
Source: AWS Migration Acceleration Program and Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework, 2026.
Internal links
See related cloud migration and cost guides: Multi-cloud cost management, AWS cost optimization, and Azure cost optimization.
FAQs
See FAQ section above for the 6 R's framework, migration cost ranges, AWS MGN / Azure Migrate / GCP Migration Center tooling, and Rehost vs Refactor guidance.
AWS Migration Acceleration Program benefits
AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) provides funding and credits for qualifying migrations. MAP can offset 20-50 percent of migration costs through AWS credits and partner funding.
| MAP Tier | AWS Funding | Requirements |
|---|
| MAP Tier 1 (Assessment) | Up to $5,000 in AWS credits | Migration assessment with APN partner |
| MAP Tier 2 (Mobilization) | Up to $50,000 in AWS credits | Mobilization plan, business case, pilot migration |
| MAP Tier 3 (Migration) | Up to $250,000 in AWS credits | Full migration execution, 30%+ migrated within 12 months |
Source: AWS Migration Acceleration Program documentation, 2026.
FAQ expansion
Q: How long does a typical enterprise cloud migration take? Enterprise cloud migrations typically take 12-36 months depending on scope, application complexity, and chosen R strategy. Rehost migrations are fastest (6-12 months for 100 servers); Refactor migrations take longest (18-36+ months).
Q: What is the 6 R's of cloud migration? AWS's 6 R's framework: Rehost (lift-and-shift), Replatform (lift-tinker-shift), Refactor (re-architect for cloud-native), Repurchase (move to SaaS), Retire (decommission), Retain (keep on-premises). Most enterprises use a mix based on application priority and business value.
Q: Can I migrate to multiple clouds simultaneously? Yes, but most enterprises avoid it because of operational complexity. A primary cloud with selective workloads on second cloud (e.g., AWS for core, GCP for AI/ML) is more common than equal multi-cloud. Multi-cloud migration typically takes 24-48 months.
Cloud migration costs vary dramatically based on application complexity and chosen R strategy. A 100-server enterprise with mostly commodity applications can migrate for $500K-$1M. A 1,000+ server enterprise with complex custom applications requiring Refactor can spend $10M+.
Cloud Migration Acceleration Program (AWS MAP), Azure Migrate credits, and Google Cloud Migration Program provide funding and credits that can offset 20-50 percent of migration costs. Apply early to maximize benefit.
Fazlur Rahman
