How difficult it is to switch Cloud providers for Airlines?

Contrary to the flexibility that cloud services offer, switching cloud providers can be more difficult than you think.

More and more airlines are saving their data on the cloud but how much do they know about switching from one cloud provider to another?

It was reported that more than 40% of the non-IT leaders said they didn’t know if switching from one cloud provider to another is more or less difficult than switching from one on-premise provider to another (According to the IDG 2014 Cloud Survey). Unlike the flexibility that Cloud services provide,

the reality is that moving between Cloud providers can be quite challenging.

Some of the technical challenges are:

Data Migration: Moving large amounts of data from one cloud to another can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Airlines need to ensure that the data is migrated securely and without any loss or corruption.

Compatibility: Different cloud providers use different technology stacks and tools. Airlines need to make sure that their applications, systems, and data are compatible with the new cloud provider. When airlines transition from a general cloud storage solution to a specialized aviation cloud service provider, it is important to assess the specific applications required for your business operations.

Integration: Integrating the new cloud provider with the existing IT infrastructure and applications can be a challenge. Airlines need to plan for this integration well in advance to minimize downtime and disruption. And in case something goes wrong, it is important to check if there is a reliable backup and recovery systems if something may happen, such as data loss during the migration period.

So, what are the things customers can take under consideration to make migration smoother? Here are some key factors to consider when making the switch:

1. Did you consider the amount of data that has to be moved?

The transfer of data from one cloud provider to another can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. It's important to have a well-planned and tested data migration strategy in place.

When you have hundreds of records in your cloud application, it’s going to take time to move everything. Can you afford the downtime?

Which data will you keep in house and which data will you be putting on the Cloud?

Also, it would make sense to check if they have reliable backup and recovery systems if something may happen, such as data loss during the migration period.

2. Are you sure about all the hidden costs?

Consider the cost implications of switching cloud providers, including migration costs, ongoing usage costs, and any termination fees associated with the old provider.

Some customers might get a shocking bill at the end of the month after moving 10-20 terabytes a day between cloud providers. Make sure that you are aware of all the hidden costs from the beginning and do a full analysis of the total cost of ownership, since costs can add up quickly.

3. Do you want to maintain existing server-side applications or build new applications from scratch?

If you were previously using general cloud storage services and want to change to a specialized aviation cloud service provider, what kind of applications would be needed? Consider how the switch will impact your business operations and ensure that you have a plan in place to maintain business continuity during the transition.

4. Do they provide agile consulting services?

Evaluate the level of support and services provided by the new cloud provider to ensure that you have access to the resources and assistance you need to make the transition as smooth as possible.

For a seamless transition between your old setup and the new one, you will want to consult with cloud service providers to answer your questions. Does the new Cloud provider have this service for you so you do not have to hire additional experts?

5. Is it compatable?

Airlines use various applications to manage their operations, including booking systems, flight management systems, and crew management systems. Are the applications compatible with the new cloud provider's infrastructure for a seamless transition? Testing and validation of all applications are necessary to ensure that they work correctly with the new cloud infrastructure.

6. Do they provide a test trail?

It could be a good idea to test your application in the new environment when switching cloud providers before ultimately turning off the old one.

Verify that the service provider can imitate actual conditions, such as several user sessions running at once. It is better to test an application to completely understand its capacity of service because, for example, most applications function rather well when just one person is using them.

Conclusion

While cloud providers do everything, they can to make it simple for customers to move applications to their platforms, they don’t necessarily make it easy for their customers to leave. In conclusion, switching cloud providers for airlines can be a complex process, but with careful planning and execution, it can be a successful one. It's important to consider the technical compatibility, data migration, cost, performance and reliability, compliance, support and services, and business continuity when making the switch.

There are other reasons why it can be difficult to move from one cloud provider to another but working with CiRROX it won’t be one of them. CiRROX can help your company migrate to the new Cloud platform without any time or energy loss on your side. You can count on CiRROX to be your partner to remove the non-productive (but required) work from your to-do list, such as system administration and maintenance, so that you can focus on your airline business operations.

Talk to us today to know more on CiRROX cloud services and how we can help with the migration.

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