What is an Azure migration?
An Azure migration is the process of moving IT workloads (servers, databases, file storage and applications) from where they run today into Microsoft Azure, Microsoft's public cloud. For most UK organisations, that means moving away from an on-site server room, a co-location data centre or an ageing VMware cluster. Azure's two UK regions are UK South in London and UK West in Cardiff.
A good migration does more than copy servers. It sizes each workload properly, puts security and cost controls in place before anything moves, and leaves you with an environment that is cheaper and easier to run than the one you left.
Azure consultants, not just a migration service
Most organisations don't need a large consultancy. They need experienced Azure consultants who can assess what they have, give honest advice on what should and shouldn't move, and then deliver the migration. Our cloud migration services cover the whole journey for UK organisations, from the first free assessment to optimising costs after go-live.
What we migrate
| Workload | Typical Azure destination | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Server (2012–2022) | Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Files | Windows Server migration |
| SQL Server databases | Azure SQL Managed Instance, SQL Server on Azure VMs, Azure SQL Database | SQL Server migration |
| VMware vSphere estates | Azure VMs or Azure VMware Solution | VMware to Azure |
| Whole server rooms / data centres | A combination of the above, plus networking and DR | Data centre exit |
| File servers | Azure Files, SharePoint / OneDrive | Covered in every assessment |
| Line-of-business apps | Azure VMs, App Service, containers | Covered in every assessment |
Our five-stage Azure migration approach
1. Assess
We start with a free assessment to understand what you have and why you're moving. If it makes sense to go further, we run Azure Migrate discovery. It inventories your servers, maps dependencies between applications and recommends right-sized Azure resources from real performance data, not guesswork.
2. Plan and cost
You get a migration plan that groups workloads into waves, sets out the approach for each (rehost, replatform, retire) and gives two numbers. These are the one-off migration cost and the forecast monthly Azure cost. We also check eligibility for Microsoft funding.
3. Build the landing zone
Before any workload moves, we build a secure Azure foundation (a "landing zone") based on Microsoft's Cloud Adoption Framework. It covers identity with Microsoft Entra ID, network connectivity (VPN or ExpressRoute), security policy, backup, monitoring and cost budgets.
4. Migrate in waves
Workloads move in tested waves, usually starting with low-risk systems. Each wave follows the same cycle. We replicate, test, agree a cut-over window, switch over and keep a rollback plan ready. Users typically see a short planned outage, often out of hours.
5. Optimise
After go-live, we right-size virtual machines, apply reserved instances and Azure Hybrid Benefit, and shut down anything that isn't needed. This stage is where the long-term savings come from.
How long does an Azure migration take?
| Estate size | Typical timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 servers | 4–8 weeks | Often a single migration wave |
| 11–50 servers | 6–16 weeks | 2–4 waves |
| 51–200 servers | 3–6 months | Dependency mapping is essential |
| 200+ servers / data-centre exit | 6–12 months | Programme-managed, often with a hard exit date |
Why organisations choose Azure
- Microsoft licensing advantages. Azure Hybrid Benefit lets you reuse existing Windows Server and SQL Server licences, and Extended Security Updates for older Windows and SQL Server versions are included for workloads running in Azure.
- It fits Microsoft 365. If you already use Microsoft 365 and Entra ID, Azure uses the same identity, security and management tools.
- UK data residency. Two UK regions let you keep production, backup and disaster recovery in the UK.
- No more hardware cycles. No more five-yearly server refreshes, failed disks or data-centre contract renewals.
Is Azure right for every workload?
No, and a good assessment will say so. Some workloads are better retired, replaced with SaaS, or left where they are for now (for example, specialist hardware or systems with very heavy, constant compute that are cheaper to own). We'll tell you which is which.
Planning a migration? Get a free assessment covering scope, ballpark cost and funding eligibility.
Get my free assessmentFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between rehost, replatform and refactor?
Rehost (lift-and-shift) moves a server to an Azure virtual machine with minimal change. It's the fastest and lowest-risk option. Replatform makes small changes to use a managed service, such as moving SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance. Refactor rebuilds an application to be cloud-native. Most migrations rehost first and replatform selectively.
Will there be downtime during the migration?
Usually very little. Azure Migrate replicates servers continuously in the background, so the final cut-over for each wave is typically a planned window of minutes to a few hours, scheduled out of hours.
Do we need to change our software licences?
Not necessarily. With Azure Hybrid Benefit you can reuse eligible Windows Server and SQL Server licences that have Software Assurance, which significantly reduces Azure running costs. We review licensing as part of the assessment.
Is Azure secure enough for regulated organisations?
Azure holds a wide range of compliance certifications, including ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2, is available on the UK government's G-Cloud framework, and is used across UK financial services, the NHS and the public sector. Security depends on configuration, which is why every migration starts with a secure landing zone.
How do I choose a cloud migration services provider?
Look for a partner that specialises in Microsoft Azure, starts with a proper assessment rather than a quote, gives you both a one-off and a monthly cost, checks Microsoft funding eligibility, and explains how each cut-over can be rolled back. Ask who will do the work and what you get at handover.
What happens after we've migrated?
We hand over documentation and runbooks and can provide ongoing optimisation and managed support. Many organisations also continue modernising, for example moving databases to managed services, once they're settled in Azure.