Transitioning to cloud computing simplifies the deployment and management of infrastructure, reducing costs while improving reliability, scalability, and security. However, modernizing and migrating an IT infrastructure can pose difficulties for organizations, leaving many unsure of the initial steps or strategies.
Microsoft offers a customized toolkit designed to assist clients in building a compelling business case to migrate and secure Windows Servers and SQL Server to Microsoft Azure. This toolkit provides access to the necessary assets for creating and executing a migration strategy seamlessly and effectively.
Discover and Assess Current Data and Workloads
Begin by assessing your clients’ on-premises resources and discovering meaningful insights to help them modernize faster and see a more substantial ROI. Use Microsoft’s Cloud Adoption Strategy Evaluator, Cloud Adoption Tracker, and Azure Migrate to define their goals and devise a strategic migration plan that aligns with their business objectives.
Identify the Business Value and Establish Goals
Show your customers the tangible benefits of migrating to Azure, such as 5x cost savings compared to AWS and a remarkable 406 percent three-year ROI. Take inspiration from migration success stories like American Airlines, AIA Insurance, and Aurobay Manufacturing to demonstrate the real impact of modernization.
Estimate Costs and Find Ways to Save
Use Azure's pricing calculator, TCO calculator, and cost optimization resources to help your customers build a value argument and identify ways to optimize costs along the cloud migration journey. By extending licensing investments with Azure Hybrid Benefit and taking advantage of discounts up to 72 percent1 through resource reservation, you can demonstrate significant cost savings opportunities for your customers.
Transfer Team Skills and Knowledge to the Cloud
Empower your customers' teams to migrate and modernize confidently by providing skill-building materials tailored to their learning styles. From self-paced training modules to Microsoft skills certifications, ensure their teams have the essential cloud skills needed for a successful Windows Server and SQL Server migration and AI adoption in the cloud.
Share and Build Stakeholder Alignment
Microsoft even provides a ready-made PowerPoint template your customers can use to drive organizational alignment for cloud migration and modernization. They can customize the slides to reflect their strategy, business value, and cost estimates and share the plan with their teams and stakeholders to foster alignment for an AI-ready foundation.
By leveraging the tools and resources offered in this toolkit, Microsoft Azure partners can unlock new opportunities and drive business growth through Windows Server and SQL Server migrations to Azure. Take the lead in guiding your customers toward a more efficient and cost-effective IT infrastructure that will set them up for long-term success in the era of cloud computing.
Download the toolkit and share it with your customers.
[1] The 72% saving is based on one M32ts Azure VM for Windows OS in US Gov Virginia region running for 36 months at a Pay as You Go rate of ~$3,660.81/month; reduced rate for a 3-year Reserved Instance of ~$663.45/month. Azure pricing as of 10/30/2018 (prices subject to change). Actual savings may vary based on location, instance type, or usage.