As more and more companies in Hong Kong transition their Microsoft systems to the cloud, IT department heads are confronted with crucial decisions regarding platform selection, license optimization, and migration strategies. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been supporting Microsoft workloads since 2008, accumulating a wealth of experience over 16 years, and serving millions of active customers. Here are the top 10 frequently asked questions compiled by AWS, which are sure to provide valuable insights for businesses considering cloud migration.
AWS has three major advantages that make it trustworthy for enterprises:
- The Richest Operational Experience: AWS is the longest-standing major cloud provider supporting Microsoft workloads, offering unparalleled operational experience and service scale.
- Flexible Licensing Options: Considering that Microsoft licensing fees are generally high, AWS offers flexible licensing options including Bring Your Own License (BYOL) or pay-as-you-go models, with no need to sign complex contracts.
- Modernization Capability:AWS can assist businesses in replacing costly Microsoft licensed products with cloud-native technologies, reducing high licensing fees and related restrictions.
As a Microsoft Authorized Mobility Partner, AWS enables seamless migration of products with licensed mobility, such as SQL Server with valid Software Assurance, to be used on Amazon EC2 shared tenants.
Many companies are eager to escape the hefty licensing fees of Microsoft. AWS offers a variety of modernization strategies to achieve this goal, providing over 750 compute instances along with relevant strategies to significantly cut costs.
During the migration process, AWS offers three powerful automation tools to streamline the workflow:
- AWS Application Migration Service: This free service automatically converts source servers into AWS-native operating environments.
- AWS Migration Hub Strategy Recommendations: Automatically analyze applications to shorten planning time.
- AWS Migration Hub Orchestrator: Allows you to run and track migrations in one place, supporting custom workflows.
Many companies face the steep licensing fees of SQL Server Enterprise Edition. Using AWS offers various methods to reduce costs, including a strong recommendation for an Optimization and Licensing Assessment (OLA) before migration to make the necessary strategic adjustments.
Additionally, ongoing infrastructure optimization through AWS Compute Optimizer allows businesses to achieve long-term cost savings.
Running Microsoft workloads on AWS is not just about moving systems to the cloud; it's a golden opportunity for business transformation. By leveraging AWS's comprehensive services, flexible licensing options, and its robust migration tools, companies in Hong Kong can significantly reduce costs, enhance performance, and modernize their Microsoft applications.
Whether you're dealing with contract renewals, managing support for versions about to be phased out, or looking to optimize cloud spending, AWS provides the tools and expertise you need. By starting with an understanding of these 10 key issues and leveraging AWS's over 16 years of experience operating Microsoft workloads, businesses can successfully transform into modern, cost-effective, and flexible cloud environments.
Take immediate action and schedule a free AWS optimization and licensing assessment to open the door to your enterprise's cloud transformation journey.
