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4 Cloud Migration Mistakes Managed IT Services Help You Avoid

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21 January 2026

At a Glance

Cloud migrations commonly fail due to weak planning, unmanaged security and compliance risks, unoptimised lift and shift approaches, and a lack of post-migration oversight. Addressing these issues through structured strategy, workload optimisation, and ongoing cost and security management reduces disruption, controls spend, and ensures cloud environments support long-term business operations. Call us to learn more about our cloud services today.

Cloud Migration Mistakes

Moving your systems to the cloud is a significant step for any business. One benefit is improving your business’ productivity by keeping all your data in one place.

It’s common for businesses to consider this move as they grow, as your systems need to keep pace with increasing daily demands. That’s why planning this move with care matters more than speed. A rushed decision at this stage can lead to cloud migration mistakes that affect how smoothly your teams work together.

You might begin this process while looking into cloud migration best practices, but the real challenge is applying them in a way that fits your setup. Without clear planning and assistance from professionals, you can run into cloud migration failures that slow down your business instead of optimising it.

In this blog, we’ll cover 4 cloud migration mistakes commonly made by businesses and how a managed IT service provider can help you avoid them. We’ll also share cloud migration best practices to ensure that you move to the cloud seamlessly.

1. Migrating Without a Clear Cloud Strategy or Roadmap

A cloud move needs to have a clear intent from the start. Without defined goals and shared plans, each step can feel disconnected from the previous one. Your teams need to be aligned, because otherwise, the moving process becomes much harder to track.

You may face technical limitations much later in the process without early planning. Some tools might not be compatible, and data flows may need changes that were not prepared for in advance. These gaps can lead to downtimes and increase the daily pressure on your teams.                                

A managed IT service provider can help you build a clear path before any systems are moved. They review how your current tools work and make decisions based on your unique business needs. This structure gives you clear direction and helps your teams stay focused as your systems transition to the cloud.

2. Underestimating Security, Compliance & Data Risks

Security can be overlooked during a transition that prioritises speed over protection, which can expose private business data. If your systems are not set up properly, access controls may stay open for longer than intended and place sensitive files at risk.

Compliance can also become an issue if rules are not reviewed before your systems are moved to the cloud. For instance, your data could be stored in locations that do not meet GDPR standards, which can create legal and trust concerns for your business.

These issues often appear during rushed projects, which is why cloud migration mistakes often link back to poor risk planning. Major problems may stay hidden until audits or service checks bring them to the attention of your managers.

Managed IT partners check storage locations and confirm cloud readiness with care before transferring your data, ensuring your systems stay protected and compliant.

3. Choosing a Lift & Shift Approach Without Optimisation

A lift and shift move copies your current systems into the cloud without changing how they work. While this process is faster, it often carries old limits into a new space, which can affect speed and system stability.

There’s also a chance of facing higher cloud bills because your tools keep running the same way as before. If workloads are not adjusted accordingly, you can end up paying for capacity that your teams do not fully utilise.

Over time, this setup may limit the advantages of your cloud investment. Your systems are likely to struggle with increasing demand, and daily tasks can feel slower than before.

Professional service providers review your workload before moving your systems to the cloud and adjust settings to suit your needs. That way, you can expect improved performance and keep costs aligned with your actual workload as your business grows.

4. Failing to Plan for Post-Migration Support & Cost Management

After your systems are live in the cloud, daily use still needs to be monitored constantly. Without ongoing support, you might lose track of operational costs and become vulnerable to cyber attacks if you’re not careful.

Additionally, if your teams face any technical issues with the cloud and do not have access to professional guidance, small problems can stay unresolved for extended periods and hinder daily operations.

This is where a managed IT partner plays an ongoing role beyond the move itself. Their support includes monitoring usage and reviewing access rights 24/7, helping your teams follow a clear process for daily system use.

At Redpalm, we can help you create a clear strategy for moving to the cloud and staying efficient at all times after the move is complete. Our team supports cost planning, system reviews and user guidance to ensure your cloud setup stays stable and aligned with your business needs.

Contact Redpalm for Reliable Cloud Migration Services Today

Redpalm is a managed service provider (MSP) and a trusted cyber security partner. We equip your business with advanced IT infrastructure to swiftly identify and neutralise any security risks.

Our wide range of services includes technology procurement, vulnerability assessments, endpoint management, and more.

To learn more about our managed IT services, click here or contact us to schedule an appointment today.

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