What Is Refactoring in Cloud Migration and Why It Matters

Cloud migration can take many different forms. Moving data can be as simple as uploading it to the cloud or another platform. However, when the asset is an application, it might require refactoring to complete the job. What is refactoring in cloud migration? Though it is a far more complex way of making applications cloud-compatible, it is often the best option if application longevity, speed, and functionality are top priorities.

What Is Refactoring in Cloud Migration?

The cloud migration refactoring process involves the restructuring of an existing application to make it cloud-ready. This migration type differs from "lift and shift," where a business transfers data and assets to a cloud storage facility without changes or modifications.

Cloud refactoring can involve these actions:

• Redesign or optimize code.
• Change the architecture to accommodate new scaling abilities.
• Enhance security and data privacy measures.
• Replatform the application to make it cloud-compatible.

Benefits of Refactoring for Cloud Migration 

Refactoring is a powerful tool that allows businesses to reap numerous benefits during the cloud migration journey. Still, it requires technical skills and tacks on extra time to the cloud migration process. Here are some of the top reasons the extra work is worth it:

• Improved longevity: Refactoring helps companies save legacy software. The process typically involves simplifying the code and making it easier to work with for future updates. 
• Improved application performance and scalability: By restructuring code, businesses can significantly improve an application's performance and scalability. 
• Increased cost efficiency: With refactoring, applications use existing resources better. This can result in significant cost savings over time. 
• Enhanced security and compliance: Businesses can ensure their applications comply with all data privacy regulations and remain secure on the cloud. 
• Improved user experience: Redesigning an application with refactoring can provide a better user experience and help it stay competitive.

Challenges of Refactoring During Cloud Migration 

Though refactoring has numerous advantages, it has a few caveats. When you know these ahead of time, your team can take the necessary precautions to plan for success. Here are key challenges to keep in mind:

• Time-consuming process: Refactoring is a challenging task. It can add to the total cost and time of the migration.
• Lack of expertise: The refactoring process requires specific technical knowledge that not all IT teams have. The IT team must know how to write, edit, and troubleshoot code. 
• Technical risk: If errors are introduced during refactoring, applications could become unstable or unreliable. 
• Unforeseen issues: During refactoring, you might uncover problems that weren't apparent before.
• Potential for vendor lock-in: Refactoring can create dependencies on certain cloud vendors for specific features, making it difficult to switch to a better company in the future.

Best Practices for Your Refactoring Cloud Migration Strategy

Following industry best practices can help you avoid mistakes other businesses make. Here are the main ones to keep in mind.

Planning and Assessment Before Refactoring

By understanding the application’s current state, you can identify which parts need refactoring and which can be left as they are. This step also clarifies the resources, expertise, and time needed for the migration process. Adequate planning reduces last-minute surprises and helps ensure a smooth and successful cloud migration.

The planning phase involves a deep dive into your application's codebase. You need an understanding of its architecture to spot potential bottlenecks and performance issues. After the assessment, create a detailed refactoring plan. This roadmap guides the IT team throughout the migration process, helping you track progress.

Communication and Collaboration With Stakeholders

Stakeholders, ranging from senior management to end-users, can provide valuable input and insights to shape the refactoring process. Keeping stakeholders informed and involved fosters trust and facilitates a smoother transition.

Follow these strategies to foster effective communication and collaboration:

• Regular updates: Keep stakeholders informed about the progress of the cloud migration project with regular updates. Provide an overview of what you accomplished and what's next on the agenda.
• Transparency: Be open and honest about the challenges and possible risks involved in the refactoring process.
• Feedback channels: Establish clear channels for stakeholders to voice their concerns, suggestions, and feedback.
• Inclusive decision-making: Involve stakeholders in important decisions relevant to them. This not only taps into their expertise but also promotes buy-in.
• Clear roles and responsibilities: Clearly define everyone's role and responsibilities right from the start to avoid confusion and miscommunication.

Continuous Testing and Monitoring

Continuous testing and monitoring are vital practices during the refactoring process in cloud migration. This approach ensures the reliability, performance, and security of your applications in the cloud. You can spot and address potential issues before they escalate and impact the user experience or the entire migration process.

Here's how to do it:

1. Start early: Begin testing as soon as the refactoring process gets underway. This will help you nip issues in the bud and keep your migration on track.
2. Use automation tools: Leverage automated testing tools to run tests quickly and efficiently. These tools can perform a wide range of tests — from functionality testing to load testing — and provide detailed reports for your team to analyze.
3. Monitor application performance: Keep an eye on how your application is performing in the cloud environment. Monitor key performance indicators, such as response times, request rates, and error rates.
4. Address issues promptly: Don't ignore the issues flagged during testing and monitoring. Rectify them promptly to ensure they don't impact the overall migration process or the application's performance in the cloud.
5. Reassess regularly: The cloud environment is dynamic, and your application's requirements might change over time. Regularly reassess your testing and monitoring strategies to ensure they meet your needs and compliance goals.

What Is Refactoring in Cloud Migration at Cloudficient?

Companies pour a lot of time and effort into their legacy systems. It's only natural to want to keep certain systems when they move to the cloud, especially if customers also use them. What is refactoring in cloud migration and its effect on our work at Cloudficient? We work closely with your team to determine whether refactoring is the right approach for you.

With unmatched next generation migration technology, Cloudficient is revolutionizing the way businesses retire legacy systems and transform their organization into the cloud. Our business constantly remains focused on client needs and creating product offerings that match them. We provide affordable services that are scalable, fast and seamless.

If you would like to learn more about how to bring Cloudficiency to your migration project, visit our website, or contact us.