In an era of rising energy costs and growing demand for computing resources, industry leaders are increasingly turning to efficient and cost-effective solutions. With 94% of businesses utilizing cloud computing services in 2023, managing your cloud computing needs effectively has become a critical strategy for cost savings.
In response, many IT leaders have begun migrating their Microsoft workloads to Amazon Web Services (AWS), driving efficiency, reducing expenses, enhancing security, and boosting performance. As a result, studies show this shift can result in a 442% ROI in just five years.
As the importance of efficiency in cloud computing grows for companies worldwide, let's explore why migrating Microsoft workloads to AWS could be advantageous for your organization.
Why migrate to AWS?
AWS stands as the top choice for running Microsoft workloads, offering unparalleled experience, scalability, and flexibility. Many of the world’s leading organizations have already made the shift for several key reasons:
1. Innovation at Speed
Transitioning to AWS enables a shift from traditional architectures to agile, cloud-based microservices, unlocking rapid innovation. With AWS, businesses can transition from traditional architectures to agile, cloud-based microservices, fostering a culture of rapid innovation.
Leveraging AWS's advanced container technologies such as Amazon ECS (Elastic Container Service), EKS (Elastic Kubernetes Service), and serverless offerings like AWS Lambda, organizations gain the necessary tools to streamline their development processes and accelerate time-to-market. These technologies enable developers to focus on building and deploying applications without worrying about managing infrastructure, leading to greater agility and innovation within the organization.
2. Ease of Modernization
AWS's "Amazon Aurora" feature streamlines operations with its fully managed, cloud-based relational database, enhancing performance and availability worldwide. Amazon Aurora provides unparalleled high performance and availability at a global scale, with full MySQL and PostgreSQL compatibility at 1/10th the cost of commercial databases. Additionally, Aurora offers storage resiliency across 3 Availability Zones (AZs), ensuring data durability while customers only pay for one copy.
3. Seamless Migration with AWS
AWS's maturity in the cloud space is evident in its proven track record of facilitating smooth migrations for enterprises across the globe. Leveraging tools like the AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) and the End-of-Support Migration Program for Windows Server, organizations can navigate every phase of the migration journey effortlessly. With the End-of-Support Migration Program, users can future-proof older workloads on Amazon EC2, ensuring compatibility and eliminating the need for additional support for outdated versions. This comprehensive approach streamlines migrations and ensures a smooth transition to AWS cloud services.
4. Improved Flexibility
Migrating Windows-based applications to AWS enhances organizational flexibility by enabling on-demand scaling of computing, storage, and database resources. This agility empowers users with seamless access to data and applications, facilitating rapid response to evolving business and customer needs. Notably, nearly 80% of IT professionals report experiencing improved productivity and budget management with cloud migration, underscoring the transformative impact of AWS flexibility.
5. Enhanced Security
With over 230 security, compliance, and governance services, AWS provides a secure environment that's unmatched in the cloud domain. Services like AWS Directory Service and AWS Identity Services bolster your cloud security, streamlining migrations without compromising data integrity. Additionally, AWS Cloud Security services empower organizations to assess and enhance their security posture. These services include improved identity and access management, continuous monitoring, fine-grained security policy enforcement, robust data protection, automated incident response, and compliance visibility.
6. Flexible Licensing and Reduced Dependency
AWS offers flexible licensing options for Microsoft software, enabling you to bring your own licenses (BYOL) or opt for AWS-provided licenses. This flexibility ensures compliance and cost-efficiency, tailored to your business needs. Additionally, with AWS, customers experience significant cost savings, with licensing costs equating to at least 3x savings compared to running these workloads in the AWS Cloud.
Remarkably, 98% of customers are able to migrate without additional license investments, and there's a 45% reduction in Microsoft SQL Server licensing costs. EPI-USE champions the shift away from restrictive Microsoft licensing towards open-source and cloud-optimized technologies, further driving down costs and boosting system agility.
7. Cost Reduction & Optimization
To optimize the cost of Windows Server workloads on AWS, businesses can leverage a range of tools and strategies. Transitioning to AWS from costly Windows or SQL Server licensing can result in a remarkable 77% reduction in Windows Server licensing costs, a 37% reduction in IT infrastructure costs, and a 56% lower cost of operations over a five-year period.
Additionally, AWS offers optimization tools like Compute Optimizer and Trusted Advisor, which provide valuable insights and recommendations for workload optimization, potentially resulting in significant cost savings of up to 25%. To lower costs further, businesses can explore flexible pricing models such as savings plans, which offer up to a 72% reduction compared to on-demand prices, providing a cost-effective approach to managing expenses.
Join the Cloud Revolution with EPI-USE and AWS
Migrating your Microsoft workloads to AWS is not just a shift in technology—it's a strategic move towards innovation, cost efficiency, and competitive advantage.
As an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner, EPI-USE is equipped with the tools, expertise, and experience to make your cloud journey successful.
Ready to explore how migrating to AWS can benefit your business? Contact us for a comprehensive Windows Optimization & Licensing Assessment (W.H.A.L.E.) and take the first step towards transforming your IT landscape.
Contact us for more details and to start your migration journey with EPI-USE and AWS!
If you'd like to learn more about the migration process, we also invite you to watch our on-demand webinar, Mastering AWS SQL Migrations: How to Reduce Costs and Maximize Licensing, which covers the key points discussed in this article.