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Raj Murugan
Raj Murugan

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AWS Migration Part 1: Building a Cloud Migration Strategy: Starting with the AWS Optimization and Licensing Assessment (OLA)

Building Your AWS Migration Strategy: A Data-Driven Approach (Part 1)

Introduction

Building a successful cloud migration strategy starts with a data-driven business case. The AWS Optimization and Licensing Assessment (OLA) program empowers organizations to assess their existing workloads and uncover significant cost-saving opportunities. This is the first post in a series that will guide you through your AWS migration journey.

The Value of the OLA Program

The OLA program offers several key benefits for businesses:

  • Understand Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Compare on-premises workloads with AWS infrastructure to identify cost savings.
  • Optimize Licensing Costs: Achieve up to 34% additional savings by bringing existing Windows Server and SQL Server licenses to AWS. Research shows customers can reduce these costs by an average of 77% and 45%, respectively.
  • Reduce Cloud TCO: Running Windows workloads on Amazon EC2, VMware workloads, or Oracle databases on AWS can significantly cut costs while improving performance.
  • Minimal Cost: In most cases, the OLA is conducted free of charge, depending on the number of VMs and projected AWS revenue.

Ideal Workloads for OLA

The OLA program is particularly effective for:

  • Microsoft SQL Server and Windows Server on Amazon EC2.
  • Migrating VMware-based workloads to AWS.
  • Oracle Databases and associated business applications.

Getting Started with Your OLA

Step 1: Collaborate with AWS

  • Work with your AWS Account Manager to:
    • Fill out the OLA assessment details, including key information about your existing workloads and infrastructure.
    • Secure Migration Evaluator licenses to enable data collection.

Step 2: Configure Migration Evaluator

Migration Evaluator is the tool used to collect utilization data from your environment. Here's how to configure it:

1. Plan Your Environment

Migration Evaluator can be deployed on:

  • VMware
  • vSphere
  • Bare metal

Choose the option that matches your current infrastructure.

2. Set Up a Dedicated VM

Create a new VM to host the Migration Evaluator collector. Follow the installation guide for hardware and local admin requirements.

3. Install and Configure

  • Install the required Migration Evaluator Bootstrapper and TSO Collector on the VM.
  • Set up Amazon S3 synchronization for data uploads, ensuring secure transfer of workload data to AWS.

Partner Cash Funding for MVP OLAs

If you plan to request Partner Cash Funding for your OLA engagement:

  • Funding preapproval is required before starting the assessment.
  • Contact your local PDS (Partner Development Specialist) to initiate this process.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of the OLA, businesses receive a detailed report with:

  • Utilization trends for workloads.
  • Optimization scenarios to reduce TCO.
  • Cost-saving recommendations for licenses and infrastructure.

What's Next?

This is just the beginning! Upcoming posts in the AWS Migration Series will explore:

  • Creating a migration roadmap.
  • Leveraging AWS tools for workload modernization.
  • Best practices for smooth cloud adoption.

A data-driven business case is the foundation of a successful migration. With tools like Migration Evaluator and AWS support, you can confidently map out a cost-effective and efficient path to the cloud. Stay tuned for the next installment!

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