SaaS Migration Models: Making the Move Smooth with AWS Services

In the competitive business landscape, staying innovative and competitive has become quite challenging. Shifting from traditional on-premises applications to cloud-based solutions is no longer an option but a necessity. 

Wondering why? Well, building on-premises software comes with a number of challenges. You require a huge upfront investment to buy the necessary hardware. 

Moreover, the need for upgrading the hardware will fall on your shoulders, adding up to the costs.  Also, these applications are less flexible in terms of flexibility. Therefore, migrating to the cloud proves to be an ideal option for businesses. Around 90% of еntеrprisеs lеvеragе cloud sеrvicеs which has positively effected the global market of SaaS and now it is  all set to reach USD 2297.37 billion by 2032.

Software as a Service (SaaS) migration can enable businesses to avail of better outcomes while minimizing their overall costs. Are you ready for the move? Relying on the AWS services for SaaS Migration can ensure a smooth transition. 

Are you wondering how? Continue reading to explore everything in detail!

What is SaaS?

SaaS refers to a cloud-based licensing and distribution model that allows users to gain access to applications and software through the Internet on a pay-as-you-go basis. It serves as an ideal alternative to the on-premises software model. The SaaS providers are responsible for developing, hosting, and maintaining the cloud application development process and managing the code, servers, and hardware essential for delivering it. 

As a result, you do not have to worry about development, maintenance, and updates. Instead, you can simply purchase and use the software for your diverse business operations. While SaaS has existed for decades, it has gained a lot of popularity among businesses in recent years. 

Benefits of SaaS Migration for Business

Did you know that around the global market of SaaS is likely to reach USD 908.21 billion by 2030? Yes, you read it right! That clearly shows the growing demand for SaaS.

Are you still wondering why you should migrate to SaaS? Delve into the prominent benefits it can provide!

On-Demand Software

When you opt for SaaS migration, you do not have to worry about the hassles of buying hardware, investing in software licenses, installing software, and maintaining it. All you have to do is simply sign up for an account, pay a fee every month, and use the features of the application. It can save a great deal of time and money and simplify tasks for you.

Speed of Deployment

In conventional on-premise deployments, you first need to set up the necessary infrastructure, get the required hardware, decide on the software development time required for each process and customize the software to meet the unique business requirements. All these can take up a lot of time. So, you will have to wait for several months to actually use the software. However, SaaS ensures faster adoption of the software and allows you to get started within days or weeks. 

Greater Cost Savings

When it comes to on-premise software applications, you need to invest in costly hardware like storage units and servers. Moreover, you also need to pay for perpetual licenses. Migrating to SaaS can help eliminate all such costs. With the need to set up an IT infrastructure, you can simply avail of the SaaS Development services. Also, as the software gets updated and maintained automatically, lowering your recurring costs becomes easy. 

Also Read : How Much Does It Cost to Build SaaS Application?

Automatic Updates

In traditional on-premise software, you need to find out what’s in trend and accordingly upgrade your applications. However, when you switch to SaaS, you need not worry about updating your software. The updates are done automatically in the background, thereby enabling you to gain access to the latest versions. 

Lower Risk of Non-Compliance

Not complying with the standards of the industry can result in hefty penalties and affect the reputation of your business. However, when you use the SaaS migration models, non-compliance will never be an issue. The software development solutions are achieved in accordance with the standards and regulations of the industry. So, you need not worry about the compliance issues. 

Scalability

SaaS platforms allow you to scale usage up and down as per your unique requirements. So, meeting the evolving demands of your business becomes simple and easy. 

Compatibility

One of the benefits of SaaS model is that it is highly compatible with other software applications. It allows you to integrate your existing data and systems with ease. That means you do not have to worry about disruptions and ensure smooth operations.

SaaS Migration Benefits for Vendors and Customers

Besides the business, the vendors and customers can also greatly benefit from SaaS migration. Delve into the top benefits!

Vendor Benefits:

• Quick Updates: Updates and fixes on a single codebase can help update the entire application.
• Low Cost: Owing to a shared platform, the maintenance and resource costs can be significantly reduced. 
• Ownership: Vendors can avail of the benefit of the total cost of ownership and get the opportunity to decide the product price. 

Customer Benefits:

• Secured Application: Customers need not worry about upgrades and maintenance of the software and ensure optimum security.
• Pricing Flexibility: Customers get the option to subscribe to the software based on the SaaS pricing models on a yearly, monthly, or quarterly basis. 
• Connectivity: SaaS allows the customers to use the software applications easily with any linked devices. 

Essential Steps in SaaS Migration

By now, you must have an idea about the perks of cloud migration services. Are you ready for SaaS migration? Then delve into the key steps you need to follow!

Change Management

The next step is all about increasing the adoption rate of the new application by providing training to the team members and getting feedback. A point to note here is that this step can break or make SaaS migration. So, prioritizing smooth change management is crucial.

Road Mapping

Before you start anything, the first thing to do is evaluate the existing application capabilities and SaaS architecture. After the evaluation, you need to build an effective roadmap based on analysis, research, and strategic planning. It can allow you to get an estimate of the amount of work necessary. 

Testing

This is a software development stage in which the software applications, systems, and integrations are properly tested. The main goal is to ensure a smooth and hassle-free migration process.

Design

In the next step, you will have to determine whether there is a necessity to completely restructure the existing codebase, database, and cloud architecture design. The core aim is to minimize the need for SaaS application customizations. 

Data Migration

The final step involves migrating to the cloud and deploying the software application. 

Top SaaS Migration Models

Now that you are well aware of the benefits and process of SaaS migration, it is time to explore the prominent SaaS Migration models. Delve into the top SaaS migration models!

Layered Migration Model

There is no denying of the fact that migrating software to the cloud comes with a unique set of Cloud Computing challenges. Owing to the complex interoperability of the existing and new applications, the migration process can slow down. That is where the layered migration model proves to be an ideal solution. 

This model focuses on the incremental migration of applications based on their functionalities and dependencies. It allows the businesses to start off small and eventually move to the new model. 

 In other words, this model focuses on moving components or layers one by one. It relies on automated provisioning and parallel migration. 

AWS Lambda can help facilitate the incremental transition of the applications. Moreover, it can enable you to migrate individual functions of the software at your own unique pace. 

On the other hand, AWS Step Functions can allow effective orchestration of complex applications to guarantee smooth interactions between the non-migrated and migrated components. AWS Elastic Beanstalk allows easy management of the different application layers. 

Siloed Migration Model

One of the simplest SaaS migration models is the siloed migration model. In this model, each application is considered to be a separate model and their migration to the cloud takes place independently. The ease of use of this model makes it a top choice among businesses.

The model proves to be an ideal decision when there isn’t any requirement of redesigning the applications from scratch. In this migration model, the commonly used AWS services include AWS CloudFormation, AWS Server Migration Service (SMS), and AWS Elastic Beanstalk. 

All these AWS services for SaaS Migration plays a pivotal role in simplifying infrastructure provisioning, automating service replication, and facilitating application deployment. As a result, you can be rest assured of a seamless migration experience. 

Service-by-Service Migration Model

When it comes to transformational success, selecting the ideal one among the effective SaaS migration models matters a lot. If you are planning to decompose your system into microservices, then opting for the service-by-service migration model is the right choice. 

In this model, all you have to do is prepare an effective cloud migration strategy for the effective distribution of the monolithic systems into multiple services. Then you need to automate each of them separately. Once done, you can use the autonomous system for incremental migration of your system to the cloud platform. 

A point to note here is that it is always advisable to move the least important service first when leveraging this model. Once the migration is successful, migrating the other components and services becomes easier and faster. 

For this SaaS migration model, the AWS services that you can opt for include AWS Data Migration Service, AWS Application Discovery Service, and AWS Server Migration Service. While the AWS Data Engineering Services allows you to seamlessly migrate individual services, the AWS Application Discovery Service can help determine dependencies. On the other hand, the AWS Data Migration Service allows automation of the process and facilitates smooth and efficient transition. 

Parallel Migration Model

If you want to minimize downtime, then leveraging the parallel migration model is an ideal decision. As the name of the model suggests, both the cloud and on-premise systems keep functioning at the same time. However, it can increase the overhead costs. 

Therefore, in this model, the developers can build a standalone application capable of adopting the new architecture. This model provides greater agility and flexibility to businesses. 

When the new system reaches a specific level of maturity, engineers onboard selected tenants or multi tenant architecture and evaluate the performance. No doubt, the approach may take more time in comparison to other SaaS Migration models. However, it is indeed a suitable solution for businesses that are not willing to risk too much. The core aim is to ensure that the new system delivers the desired results.

AWS Data Migration Service is a popular service that facilitates smooth parallel data migration. On the other hand, AWS DataSync ensures high-speed transfer between cloud and on-premises storage. In the case of large-scale data migration, leveraging the AWS Snowball is the apt choice. It can provide you with an efficient and secure solution and ensure a quick transition. 

Different AWS Services for SaaS Migration

Selecting the right AWS services for SaaS migration relatively easier and faster. However, with so many options available, picking the best ones can be tough. Delve into the list of most common AWS services that you can leverage for the transition!

AWS Server Migration Service

AWS Server Migration Service is helpful in ensuring seamless migration of on-premises applications to AWS. By automating server replication, it allows you to efficiently migrate specific workloads or the entire silos.

The best thing about this AWS Migration services is that it guarantees minimal downtime. Moreover, it can minimize manual efforts, ensure a smooth transition, and streamline the entire migration process.

AWS CloudFormation

AWS CloudFormation proves to be beneficial in automating the deployment of infrastructure as code. As a result, it can effectively streamline the migration of SaaS applications. 

Moreover, AWS CloudFormation gives you the option to define and manage resource stacks. It makes it easier to provision and replicate resources essential for the application. When using this AWS services for SaaS Migration, you can be rest assured of efficient and consistent migration across different environments. 

AWS Application Delivery Service

When you want to explore the on-premises applications and their dependencies, choosing the AWS Application Delivery Service is an apt choice. It allows you to collect essential information relating to the software architecture patterns and application dependencies. As a result, you will be in a better position to plan and execute this AWS Services for SaaS migration. 

Moreover, it can significantly increase the chances of success. The service can offer you valuable insights into the application landscape and help minimize potential migration risks. Also, making the right decisions becomes easier.

Amazon S3

If you are looking for scalable and durable object storage for the data of SaaS applications during migration, relying on Amazon S3 is the best idea. It can guarantee seamless data availability and transfer.

As a result, you can be rest assured of reliable storage and efficient retrieval of application data during the migration process. The best part is AWS Integration Services with other tools & software, facilitating effective data management. 

AWS Migration Hub

AWS Migration Hub can offer a central hub and enable you to track the progress of SaaS migration. It mainly focuses on simplifying the overall migration process. 

This AWS Cloud Migration service also gives you the opportunity to monitor and manage the status of several migration projects. It can provide you with detailed insights into resource utilization, migration timeline, and application performance. As a result, you can get better control over the entire SaaS migration process. 

AWS CloudEndure Migration

When it comes to the top AWS services for SaaS migration, you cannot leave out the AWS CloudEndure Migration service. It is a powerful solution that facilitates the migration of mass applications to the cloud.

AWS CloudEndure Migration ensures continuous replication of data and applications. It enables you to perform live migrations and lowers the chances of disruption. This service can facilitate the migration of both virtual and physical servers. Ultimately, you can expect a smooth transition to the multi-cloud architecture. 

AWS Elastic Beanstalk

If you are looking for an ideal AWS application for scaling and deployment of SaaS migration, then AWS Elastic Beanstalk is the perfect choice. It can automate several aspects like load balancing, application health monitoring, and infrastructure management. 

So, you can solely focus on SaaS application development. Moreover, transitioning to the cloud platform becomes simple and easy. 

AWS Database Migration Service

As the name of this service suggests, it plays a crucial role in simplifying database migration to AWS. It supports a wide range of databases, including Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL. 

So, you can conveniently migrate the SaaS database and expect minimal downtime. The best part of leveraging AWS Database Migration Service is that it can provide you with several benefits like high performance, data integrity, and consistency during the migration process.

AWS Direct Connect

AWS Direct Connect allows you to establish a dedicated network connection between AWS and the on-premise environments. It can provide you with high bandwidth and secure connectivity during the migration.

Leveraging this AWS service can ensure reliable and fast transfer of data. Moreover, it can also optimize network performance, reduce latency, and offer a smooth SaaS migration Strategy. 

AWS Elastic File System

During migration, certain applications require shared file systems. That is where the AWS Elastic File system comes to help. 

It can provide you with multiple instances to access the same files. Leveraging the AWS Elastic File System can enable you to eliminate the need for complex data replication, ensure data integrity, and simplify SaaS migration. 

AWS Identity and Access Management

In recent years, the security of data matters a lot for organizations. During migration to the cloud, the AWS Identity and Access Management service allows securing access control to different Cloud services and solutions. 

It enables you to clearly define user roles, permissions, and accounts. As a result, you can get better control over who will perform the migration operations. Moreover, you can be rest assured about data security.

Amazon Route S3

Amazon Route S3 is a DNS service that proves to be beneficial during SaaS migration. It makes it easier for you to effectively manage the DNS routing of applications. Amazon Route S3 guarantees seamless transition by efficiently routing end-users to the new application during and after the SaaS migration process. 

Amazon EC2

Amazon EC2 can provide you with on-demand virtual servers and allows effective hosting of SaaS applications during migration. With this service, scaling your compute capacity and meeting your specific application needs become easy. This scalability and flexibility ensures efficient resource utilization and smooth SaaS migration. 

AWS Migration Evaluator

AWS Migration Evaluator is a tool that lets you determine the performance enhancements and cost savings achievable through SaaS migration. It can analyze resource utilization, cost factors, and workload performance and offer you detailed insights into SaaS migration optimization. As a result, making informed decisions becomes easy for businesses.

Also Read : AWS Cost Optimization Best Practices

AWS Elastic Load Balancer

AWS Elastic Load Balancer helps evenly distribute incoming traffic across different targets. It is one of the crucial AWS Services for SaaS Migration offering you with several benefits like fault tolerance, high availability, and easy scalability during the SaaS migration process. Moreover, it can minimize downtime and ensure effective performance optimization of applications. 

Harikrishna Kundariya

CEO, eSparkBiz

Harikrishna Kundariya, a marketer, developer, IoT, chatbot and blockchain savvy, designer, co-founder, Director of eSparkBiz @Software Development Company where you can Hire Software Developers. His 14+ experience enables him to provide digital solutions to new start-ups based on Web app development.