Modern enterprises, especially manufacturing ones, operate in a space filled with ambition and intense competition that pushes them to grow and achieve more. As the local companies shift toward Industry 4.0 en masse, it’s important to remember the move begins with a single step. For many, particularly those still running legacy hardware and software, that step will be an AWS cloud migration.
By shifting away from traditional setups and outdated software architecture, you gain a nearly instant boost to your business performance. Going for this upgrade means patching security vulnerabilities in legacy systems, securing additional resources, and enabling more connected operations.
But how does one migrate to the cloud in the right way, and what are its risks? Today, we aim to tell you all about that, covering the on premise to cloud migration for manufacturing businesses in Canada.
Why Many Canadian Manufacturers Still Run on Legacy Infrastructure
Despite cloud infrastructure being available for years, many businesses haven’t made the leap, holding on to their time-tested, familiar setups. And those two adjectives, time-tested and familiar, explain a big part of the issue. For all its benefits, which we’ll discuss below, migration means leaving behind a setup that’s proven itself in practice.
That means that companies running these setups know key factors about them:
How much they cost to run and maintain;
What their security flaws are and how to work around them;
Ways to connect different software and APIs;
What kind of growth potential they hold;
How to train new employees to manage the infrastructure.
These are all quite strong arguments for sticking with a system that’s known to work, even if it has flaws. After all, a move to a cloud system, even a straightforward one, would signify uncertain expenses, potential new threats, re-training staff, and adjusting to a new setup. Granted, 99 out of 100 companies will only ever experience positive effects from their migration, but the apprehension is much more justified when you think about the stakes.
As a result, Canadian businesses question cloud migration security and whether the process is truly necessary, especially if their legacy systems are still getting the job done. This is why part of our purpose today is to highlight not just the benefits of choosing cloud migration but its certainty. When handled right, migration isn’t just a chance to improve your operations, it’s a guarantee. Now, let’s talk about what it gets you.
Strategic Benefits of Moving Manufacturing Systems to the Cloud
Manufacturing is an industry where planning and having backup strategies are crucial to day-to-day operations. So first, we’ll look at the benefits of cloud migration from this perspective, showing how it can help stabilize your operations and optimize processes.
Stability and Distribution
It’s no secret that the cloud’s two big selling points are 24/7 availability with 100% uptime and the ability to remove reliance on specific hardware in limited locations. Cloud platforms let you expect stable, uninterrupted operations without investing heavily in hardware. Instead, you simply work with a cloud provider, as do millions of other businesses, and get the extra resilience your operations need to never halt again.
Higher Tech and New Functions
Cloud platforms also offer higher processing speeds and richer resource bases, enabling the use of cutting-edge technologies. This includes things like AI automation, IoT monitoring and analytics, and VR/AR capabilities for product rendering and remote quality control. In general, moving away from legacy software means opening up new functionality.
Cutting Expenses
Then there’s the matter of costs related to maintenance, running the setup, actual manufacturing processes, and more. All of these can be limited thanks to cloud environments, which just generally require fewer investments into resource and infrastructure management. Plus, you streamline your day-to-day operations, making them more efficient and reducing production costs.
Enhancing Security
Another core benefit is tighter security, patching up any issues typical of older systems. Some companies may question how much they’ll have to invest in hiring security experts, but the bonus here is that major cloud platforms like AWS handle this themselves. Their reputation demands airtight security protocols with reliable authorization and authentication to prevent unauthorized access.
As long as you adopt a well-detailed cloud migration strategy, you can receive all these advantages and more, without having to shut down your business for a lengthy transition. However, to polish your strategy and ensure it works, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the potential challenges of migrating a manufacturing business.
Manufacturing-Specific Challenges of Cloud Migration
Plenty of manufacturing businesses have to contend with very strict compliance laws, such as GMP for medication makers, and follow guidelines from organizations like the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Their on-premises systems will thus typically have built-in checks and limitations to ensure compliance, and some businesses worry that cloud providers won’t offer the same.
In actuality, though, major platforms enable relevant functionality by default with industry- and region-specific considerations. Thus, whether your manufacturing is done in Canada or elsewhere, you’ll have the system set up for full compliance.
Next is the question of team readiness and skill. While some businesses have experts with years of knowledge, the shift to cloud infrastructure means a change in specialization. Therefore, some fear that the migration will result in layoffs, new hires, or an extended adaptation period for training.
One way to mitigate this is to choose a cloud provider that offers in-house onboarding sessions, as these are designed with just such a use case in mind, simplifying the transition. Another option is to extend the rollout of your new infrastructure, as it gives the team more time to adjust and ensures a smooth migration without any downtime.
Then there’s the question of flexibility and customization, as manufacturing businesses often have complex, tailored workflows that have been optimized over literal decades. As a result, cloud platforms, even with boundless resources, may seem like a downgrade and a rigid space to work in.
In our experience, though, the majority of these complex workflows can be transferred as-is and, in some cases, improved to eliminate subtle inefficiencies. The main struggle here is figuring out and untangling all the dependencies created over the years of legacy software use. But if your migration experts accomplish that, you can be sure that the operations will be preserved and improved.
We don’t want to miss the concern completely, though, as cloud providers do place certain restrictions and limits on how their platforms work. This is something to take into consideration when picking a provider and, if certain limits clash with your desired setup, consider a hybrid model. These combine cloud platforms with on-premise infrastructure and can serve as a good midpoint for those reluctant to make the full switch or reliant on certain legacy solutions.
Core Best Practices for Migrating Manufacturing Systems to the Cloud
Some tips for handling it properly. One crucial point is picking the right approach: a drag-and-drop move, a re-platforming that accounts for the newly acquired capabilities, or a refactoring. The latter is a major shake-up but yields the most optimization.
Next, while it’s not for everyone, you may find edge computing a golden opportunity if reducing latency in inter-device communication is one of your goals. Edge is more complex to set up, but it is gaining popularity rapidly thanks to its utility. The market for this tech in Canada is growing and expected to reach $1,16 bln in revenue by 2033.
Lastly, have backup plans in place to ensure you don’t lose uptime when conducting the migration. This is the difference between a non-disruptive move and a process that extends beyond deadlines and incurs expenses.
A Realistic Cloud Migration Timeline for Manufacturing Companies
Following cloud migration steps usually means a relatively quick and straightforward process, but it’s still important to understand the overall scope. Here, we’d like to highlight what a real-life migration would look like on a timeline.
Firstly, remember that the entire process is a matter of complexity, as sprawling enterprises with intricate systems may need 6 to 12 months to fully transition. But, for a more common timeline, we’d indicate a deadline of about 2 to 4 months.
Now, let’s run down the checklist:
Identify the objectives of your migration and set the move priority to determine what’s urgent and what’s not.
Assess the state of your apps and data, and map system dependencies.
Begin the migration according to the approach you prefer, starting with a small pilot shift to test your processes. This is typically done by moving over some non-essential analytical elements.
Migrate your apps and data and integrate everything.
Optimize the resulting infrastructure and complete staff onboarding.
Security and Compliance Considerations in Manufacturing Cloud Environments
We already mentioned that manufacturing companies must consider specific legislation and standards when planning their operations. As we pointed out, much of the compliance work will be automated by your cloud provider, but there’s still some effort required.
It will be up to you to double-check relevant legislation and ensure that any data processing or quality monitoring protocols match up with the standards. Regardless of the cloud platform you choose, you’re still in control of any production decisions and processes.
As for security, the situation is similar to compliance, since cloud platforms handle most of the technical considerations. You should still consider adding your own privacy protocols and protections against specific attacks that may be a concern in your industry.
Tools and Platforms Used for Manufacturing Cloud Migration
Your choice of cloud migration software will, at least partially, correlate to the cloud provider that you decide to go with, as every single major one offers its own toolset. Thus, those who opt for AWS, for example, will be able to use the AWS Application Migration Service for faster rehosting. Outside of these platform-specific tools, we’d also recommend the following:
RiverMeadow sets up an automated pipeline for OS updates across all devices on the network, making upkeep easy.
AppDynamics will be essential for in-depth monitoring of all your apps throughout the migration, with full logs and security tracking. You can also set specific metrics in the software to determine whether the migration meets them or requires further fine-tuning.
OpenText Migrate will be of use to those concerned with retaining their intricate setups. It provides byte-level copying of workloads with multiple destinations. Thanks to this solution, you can instantly get a whole network of manufacturing floors up and running.
There is no shortage of useful tools to help your migration run smoothly. If you have a specific use case in mind, reach out to our team, and we will advise you on the best options.
When Сanadian Manufacturers Should Consider Moving Their Systems to the Cloud
An important step is to do a comprehensive cloud migration assessment. Start by judging how well your current system performs compared to its potential with a cloud retooling. Consider factors such as process optimization, the cost of upkeep vs. the cost of migration, security, etc. Basically, look at the benefits we listed for cloud environments and estimate whether they could be game-changers for you.
Another consideration is what your business plan is for the foreseeable future. If major changes are planned anyway, it may be prudent to combine them with the migration to ensure the best results. On the other hand, if everything is running smoothly and major orders are coming in, you may want to hold off until a production lull hits.
Basically, it’s an overall positive move that just needs the right time and conditions to work perfectly. Consult with an expert team, such as Integrio Systems, to get a clear assessment of your company’s readiness for the migration and tips on structuring it. Our trusted experts will be glad to help guide you through this changeover. Simply get in touch to schedule a consultation.
FAQ
It’s the process of moving business infrastructure from on-premise hardware to the cloud, either proprietary or third-party, though the latter option is much more common. Migration involves transferring relevant data and operational setups while minimizing downtime or disruptions. Ideally, you have either the exact same build or one that improves upon the existing setup.
The budget for the process depends on multiple factors, including the scope of your business, the size of the databases to be migrated, and the provider’s rates. Plus, how long the process takes also influences the final cost. It’s also important to consider the costs associated with downtime and ensure your cloud migration process is optimized to avoid them.
It all depends on how complex your own system is and what your goals with migration are. A straight-up data move without any adjustments to the operational setup is fairly simple. Optimization and retooling your infrastructure is, of course, more complicated. Regardless, an experienced team can handle migrations of any scope and complexity. The best way to ensure their 100% success is to plan ahead and lay out your end-goal in detail.
Yes, but the nature of this demand has shifted. While approximately 80% of Canadian manufacturers have adopted cloud-based tools, there is a clear distinction between administrative use and core production. They need plentiful resources to scale their operations and provide reliable services to clients. Cloud computing meets those needs and allows manufacturers to establish interconnectivity between locations, making it easy to monitor production quality and stability.
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