As more organizations embrace the cloud, migrating legacy applications becomes a top priority. Yet, moving to the cloud isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. With the unique needs of each application, cloud transformation is not merely about moving data to the cloud. It's a strategic decision to enhance agility, scalability, and efficiency. Organizations aiming to leverage the power of the cloud must carefully evaluate their application portfolio to determine the right transformation strategy, which is why cloud providers recommend seven distinct migration strategies, known as the "7 R's of Cloud Transformation". These strategies guide organizations in deciding how best to migrate each application, ensuring an optimal approach based on technical needs, business goals, and available resources. 

This blog is a deep dive into the 7 R's of Cloud Transformation, a framework that guides businesses in deciding the best approach to migrate to the cloud. 

So, what are the 7 R's of cloud transformation? 

The 7 R's refer to seven distinct strategies that organizations can leverage for their cloud migration. They encompass a spectrum of options, from quick wins to more extensive and sophisticated rearchitecting solutions.  

Let’s explore each strategy and when to use it. 

1. Rehost (Lift and Shift) 

Rehosting is the simplest way to move to the cloud by “lifting” an application and “shifting” it onto cloud infrastructure with minimal changes. This option allows businesses to migrate quickly without changing the application’s core. Rehosting serves as an initial step in cloud migration. It’s a fast, minimal-risk, relatively low-cost strategy that helps companies quickly get to the cloud and scale up when needed. 

When to Rehost: When an organization needs to move quickly to the cloud without modifying the application’s underlying code. 

2. Relocate 

Relocating, a lesser-known strategy, means moving entire workloads to a different cloud infrastructure or region. This approach works well for applications with regulatory or compliance requirements that need specific geographic locations or access to cloud providers’ managed infrastructure in on-premises locations. 

When to Relocate: When an application needs to reside in a specific region or closer to certain physical data sources or workloads. 

3. Refactor (Rearchitect/Re-envision) 

Refactoring (or rearchitecting) means revising an application’s architecture to use cloud-native features fully. While it’s the most complex and costly migration path, refactoring can significantly improve scalability, resilience, and performance. Organizations typically choose this approach for critical applications that require enhanced capabilities in the cloud. 

When to Refactor: When an application needs a total overhaul to align with business needs or deliver higher value in a cloud-native architecture (e.g., transitioning from a monolithic app to a microservices architecture). 

4. Replatform (Lift, Tinker, and Shift) 

This strategy strikes a balance between rehosting and refactoring. It involves minor modifications to optimize an application for the cloud without altering its core architecture. This strategy allows applications to work on the cloud without a full refactor. It’s ideal for businesses wanting better performance and scalability with minimal disruption and cost. Common changes include switching databases or implementing managed cloud services. 

When to Replatform: When an application could benefit from certain cloud services (like using a managed database) without needing a complete rewrite. 

5. Repurchase (Drop and Shop) 

In a repurchase strategy, you switch to a subscription-based service with similar functionality rather than migrating the existing application. This is common when the existing platform becomes outdated or maintenance costs are too high. Repurchasing is often faster and provides access to modernized features, reducing operational costs over time. 

6. Retire

Retiring is the process of decommissioning applications that are no longer needed. Often, legacy applications can accumulate as businesses grow, resulting in unnecessary costs and operational complexity. By retiring outdated or redundant applications, businesses free up resources to focus on higher-priority cloud initiatives. 

When to Retire: When an application has outlived its usefulness, it no longer aligns with business needs or is redundant due to newer technology. 

7. Retain (Revisit)

Sometimes, the best course of action is to leave an application in its current environment. Retaining—or “revisiting”—means holding off on migration for applications that are too costly, complex, or critical to business operations. Retained applications may stay on-premises temporarily or indefinitely until cloud migration becomes more practical. 

When to Retain: When an application still serves its purpose well, and migration isn't currently cost-effective or feasible. 

Shaping a Cloud-First Future 

The 7 R's provide a roadmap that organizations can customize based on their cloud transformation goals. Whether the objective is a quick shift to the cloud, modernizing legacy systems, or achieving significant business agility, each R offers a pathway to reach the target. Organizations must assess their current IT landscape, consider business requirements, and analyze the costs and benefits associated with each strategy. Successful cloud migration isn’t about picking one R but crafting a tailored approach that may involve multiple strategies over time.

Looking for a trusted partner to drive your cloud transformation? At Amantya Technologies, we specialize in guiding businesses through their cloud journey with seamless integration and innovation. Connect with us to unlock new opportunities for growth and success. Contact us at connect@amantyatech.com and our team will be happy to assist you.