Data center contracts are expiring, VMware costs are skyrocketing, and the path to the cloud — including a suitable strategy — must finally become a reality. This is everyday business for many IT decision-makers. The move to the cloud is often already a done deal, but implementation brings challenges. Those who migrate without modernizing merely shift their technical debt. And those who modernize without a solid strategy risk complexity, rising costs, and frustration. Modernization is a must. The only question is: when? Before the migration? During it? Or afterward?
This “when” question is far more than a technical detail. It’s about nothing less than the future viability of your IT landscape — and the sustainable value of your cloud investment. This article explores why timing is the key lever — and how to integrate infrastructure and application modernization meaningfully into your cloud strategy.
The Dual Challenge of Cloud Migration: Infrastructure and Applications
Cloud migration touches two core pillars of your IT: the infrastructure and the applications running on it. On one side, there’s the shift from on-premise data centers to Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) — a fundamental step promising flexibility and efficiency. On the other side are the applications — often developed over years, ranging from monolithic legacy systems to early agile services.
Migrating infrastructure alone doesn’t solve technical debt or outdated application architectures. An application that’s slow and sluggish on-prem won’t suddenly become high-performing in the cloud. In fact, costs may rise and complexity increase without proper adaptation.
It becomes clear: A successful cloud strategy must address both — infrastructure modernization and application modernization.
The Reality Check for Your Application Landscape
A professional Application Review uncovers risks and opportunities — providing a solid foundation for your modernization roadmap.
Modernization Strategy: There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
The question of when to modernize can’t be answered universally. Every company has its own framework:
- Legacy Systems: How critical are outdated systems to the business? What’s the effort to modernize them?
- Time Pressure: Are there external triggers like expiring data center contracts requiring rapid migration?
- Budget Constraints: What financial resources are available for both migration and modernization?
- Strategic Goals: Is the cloud meant to reduce costs — or enable new, data-driven business models?
These factors lead to different scenarios — and different timing strategies.
Do You Have a Cloud Strategy?
In the Cloud Strategy Call, we assess your current situation and outline first strategic options.
Scenario 1: Modernization Before Migration
Some applications are fundamentally reworked before moving to the cloud, for example through re-architecting into a microservices structure. This is particularly worthwhile for strategically relevant applications.
- Advantage: The application can immediately benefit from cloud-native features like scalability and resilience. The migration is often smoother and less complex.
- Disadvantage: Time- and cost-intensive. It may delay the overall migration. Initial investments are needed without immediate cloud benefits.
Scenario 2: Modernization During Migration
Here, modernization is phased. Parts of the application are optimized during the transition (e.g. replatforming). This approach is suitable for complex systems.
- Advantage: A pragmatic middle ground enabling quick wins and minimizing risk. The benefits of the cloud become visible faster.
- Disadvantage: Requires precise planning and coordination to avoid business disruption.
Scenario 3: Modernization After Migration
Systems are moved via “Lift & Shift” to the cloud first. Actual modernization takes place once the applications are in the new environment. Time-sensitive projects (e.g. data center closures) benefit from this.
- Advantage: Fastest way to shut down data centers and gain scalability, flexibility, and resilience.
- Disadvantage: Cloud potential remains untapped. Technical debt is carried over, leading to higher costs and performance issues long-term. Modernization is often neglected.
Webinar – When Is the Right Time to Modernize?
Migrating to the cloud doesn’t eliminate legacy issues — only a well-thought-out modernization strategy ensures performance and future-readiness. Join our webinar on September 2nd, 2025, at 10:00 AM to learn how the right timing can unlock long-term value.
Conclusion: Strategy Should Be Based on Analysis, Not Gut Feeling
The decision of when and how to modernize is one of the most impactful in the entire cloud journey. It affects not only your IT but also your organization's agility and innovation capabilities. A rushed “Lift & Shift” move can become a cost trap, while overly ambitious modernization upfront can waste valuable time.
The key to success lies in a sound analysis of your unique situation — and a clear definition of your strategic goals. Don't just consider technical aspects. Include business, financial, and strategic dimensions from the beginning.
Want to dive deeper into the strategic approaches and learn which tactics work best in real-world scenarios? Then our webinar is your perfect opportunity.
Join David Müller on September 2nd, 2025, at 10:00 AM, as he explores how the right timing during your cloud migration delivers sustainable value. We’ll share exclusive insights from real customer projects — and discuss opportunities, trade-offs, and risks openly.
