# Cloud Services & Migration > Planned moves to AWS, Azure or Google Cloud, with sensible costs, proper backups and ongoing management. **How does cloud migration work for a small business?** Cloud migration moves a small business's servers, files, and applications from on-site hardware to a platform such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. TechPit Solutions reviews what should move, compares platforms and running costs, then migrates data in stages with test points and a rollback option. After the move, the team manages access permissions, backups, security settings, and spending alerts. - Best for businesses relying on an aging on-site server, or teams that need files and apps available from anywhere. - Delivered remotely in stages after a free consultation and readiness review, with the final switch scheduled outside your busiest hours. Part of [IT Desk](https://techpitsolutions.systems/msp) (IT and Technology). Many small businesses still run on an aging server in a back room, a shared drive on someone's desktop, or software that only works from the office. The cloud can remove that single point of failure and let your team work from anywhere, but only if the move is planned and the result is kept under control. We help you decide what should move to the cloud, which platform fits, and how to get there without losing data or disrupting your week. That might mean moving files to a managed service, hosting a line-of-business application on a virtual server, or replacing an old server entirely with cloud services you no longer have to patch yourself. After the move we keep an eye on things: access permissions, backups, security settings and the monthly bill. Cloud costs can creep up quietly, so we set budgets and alerts and review usage with you, so the cloud stays a sensible choice rather than a surprise expense. ## Who this is for - Businesses relying on an old on-site server that is due for replacement - Teams that need reliable access to files and apps from home, the office and on the road - Companies already using some cloud services that have grown messy or expensive - Owners worried about what would happen if the office computer or server failed - Businesses opening a second location that need shared systems ## Problems we fix - Critical files and software live on one machine with no reliable off-site backup - Remote staff struggle to reach systems that only work inside the office - Cloud accounts were set up ad hoc and nobody is sure who has access to what - Monthly cloud bills keep rising without a clear reason - Past migration attempts stalled because nobody owned the plan ## What is included - **Cloud readiness review:** An inventory of your servers, applications, data and dependencies, with a recommendation on what to move, what to replace and what to leave where it is. - **Platform and cost plan:** A comparison of suitable options on AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud, with sizing and an estimate of running costs based on your actual usage. - **Migration plan and execution:** A step-by-step plan with timings, test points and a rollback option, followed by the migration itself, scheduled to avoid your busiest hours. - **Identity and access setup:** User accounts, roles and multi-factor authentication configured so people get the access they need and nothing more. - **Backup and recovery:** Automated backups with retention rules and a tested restore process, so you know your data can actually be recovered. - **Cost controls and monitoring:** Budgets, spending alerts, tagging and resource monitoring, plus periodic reviews to remove anything you are paying for but not using. ## Benefits - **Work from anywhere:** Your team can reach files and applications securely from any location, which makes remote work, travel and multiple offices far easier. - **Less hardware to maintain:** Moving away from aging on-site servers means fewer hardware failures, fewer late-night patches and no surprise replacement bills for old equipment. - **Better recovery options:** With off-site backups and tested restores, a stolen laptop, failed disk or office flood does not have to mean lost data. - **Predictable spending:** Right-sized resources and spending alerts keep costs visible, so you pay for what you use instead of what someone guessed years ago. ## How the work runs 1. **Assess:** We map your current systems, data, users and software licences, and identify dependencies that could cause problems during a move. 2. **Design:** We choose the right platform and services, design the account structure, security and backups, and agree on a migration schedule with you. 3. **Implement:** We migrate data and applications in stages, test with real users, run old and new systems side by side where needed, then switch over. 4. **Monitor:** Monitoring of performance, security alerts, backups and spending runs continuously and raises alerts for our team, and support requests are handled during agreed support hours. ## Tools we commonly work with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Microsoft Entra ID, Azure Migrate, AWS Backup, Veeam, Terraform, Cloudflare ## Frequently asked questions ### Should everything move to the cloud? Not always. Email, file storage and most business applications usually work well in the cloud. Some specialist software, equipment that must connect locally, or very large files used all day in the office may be better left on site or handled with a hybrid setup. We look at each system on its own merits and recommend what makes practical and financial sense for your business. ### Will we have downtime during the migration? We plan migrations to keep disruption small. Data is usually copied in the background while you keep working, and the final switch is scheduled outside business hours or at your quietest time. We test with a few users first and keep a rollback option available. Some short interruptions may happen, but you will know when they are planned and what to expect. ### How much does cloud migration cost? The cost depends on how many servers and applications you have, how much data needs to move, how complex the dependencies are and whether you want ongoing management afterward. Running costs on the cloud platform itself are separate and depend on usage. Book a free consultation and we will review your setup, then give you a clear quote and an estimate of monthly running costs. ### Is the cloud secure enough for business data? Major cloud platforms provide strong security features, but they only protect you if they are configured properly. Most cloud incidents come from weak passwords, missing multi-factor authentication, overly broad permissions or storage left publicly accessible. We set these controls up carefully, turn on logging and alerts, and review access regularly so your setup stays tidy over time. ### Which cloud platform should we choose? It depends on what you already use. Businesses on Microsoft 365 often find Azure fits naturally, while others choose AWS or Google Cloud for specific services or pricing. We compare options against your software, skills and budget rather than pushing one provider. In many cases the choice matters less than having a clear structure, good backups and sensible cost controls. ### Can you manage our cloud environment after the move? Yes. Ongoing management covers monitoring, security updates, backup checks, user access changes and cost reviews. Monitoring runs continuously and raises alerts for our team, and support hours and response times are set out in your service agreement. You keep full ownership of your accounts and data at all times, and we document everything so you are never locked in to us. ## Related services - [Microsoft 365 & Google Workspace Setup](https://techpitsolutions.systems/services/microsoft-365-google-workspace-setup): Business email on your own domain, shared storage and collaboration tools in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, set up properly. - [Cybersecurity & Data Protection](https://techpitsolutions.systems/services/cybersecurity): Practical protection for small businesses: MFA, endpoint security, email filtering, backups, staff training and a response plan. - [Network Design & Setup](https://techpitsolutions.systems/services/network-setup): Office networks, Wi-Fi, firewalls and VPNs planned properly, documented clearly and supported after launch. ## Related reading - [Why Managed IT Support Is Worth the Investment](https://techpitsolutions.systems/blog/managed-it-support) - [Moving to the Cloud: Benefits and Best Practices](https://techpitsolutions.systems/blog/cloud-infrastructure) - [Glossary: Backup vs. disaster recovery](https://techpitsolutions.systems/glossary/backup-vs-disaster-recovery) - [Glossary: Data protection laws](https://techpitsolutions.systems/glossary/data-protection-laws) ## Availability Delivered remotely to businesses worldwide. Pricing: quoted after a free consultation; see [how IT Desk is priced](https://techpitsolutions.systems/msp) or ask for a quote: https://techpitsolutions.systems/contact?service=Cloud%20Services%20%26%20Migration --- Source: https://techpitsolutions.systems/services/cloud-services TechPit Solutions ยท People, technology and automation, working together. A remote team working with businesses worldwide. Email info.techpit.co@gmail.com, WhatsApp +92 344 3360585. Book a free consultation: https://techpitsolutions.systems/contact