How Leading Cloud Migration Companies Implement the 6 R’s

Cloud migration is a major step for businesses looking to leverage scalability, cost savings, and operational efficiency. However, not all cloud migrations follow the same path. The 6 R’s of cloud migration serve as a framework for organizations to decide how to transition their applications and workloads to the cloud.

By understanding these six strategies, businesses can determine whether they should rehost, replatform, repurchase, refactor, retire, or retain their existing infrastructure. Leading cloud migration companies in the USA help organizations navigate these strategies, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition.

The 6 R’s of Cloud Migration Explained

1. Rehosting (Lift-and-Shift)

Rehosting, also known as "lift-and-shift," is the process of migrating applications to the cloud without making any significant changes. Organizations move their existing workloads as-is, using Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solutions.

When to Use Rehosting?

• When speed is a priority

• If applications are not cloud-optimized but need to migrate quickly

• To reduce on-premises infrastructure costs

Benefits of Rehosting

• Faster migration time

• Minimal application changes required

• Lower initial costs compared to rebuilding applications

Leading cloud migration companies often recommend rehosting for businesses that want to quickly move to the cloud without redesigning their applications.

2. Replatforming (Lift-and-Optimize)

Replatforming involves minor optimizations to an application before moving it to the cloud. Unlike rehosting, this strategy modifies some components to take advantage of cloud-native features.

When to Use Replatforming?

• When you want some cloud benefits but cannot fully refactor applications

• If you want to use cloud-managed services (e.g., managed databases)

• To improve performance, scalability, or security

Benefits of Replatforming

• Better cloud integration

• More cost-efficient than full re-architecture

• Improves application performance and scalability

Many cloud migration companies in the USA implement replatforming to make applications more efficient in the cloud without a complete overhaul.

3. Repurchasing (Move to a New Product)

Repurchasing means switching to a completely new cloud-native product. This often involves moving from a traditional software license to a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) model.

When to Use Repurchasing?

• When your current software is outdated or expensive to maintain

• If a SaaS alternative provides better functionality

• To reduce management overhead

Benefits of Repurchasing

• Lower operational costs

• Access to modern, cloud-native tools

• Eliminates the need for in-house maintenance

For example, instead of running on-premise email servers, businesses can move to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Top cloud migration companies help businesses find the best SaaS solutions based on their needs.

4. Refactoring (Re-architecting)

Refactoring, also known as re-architecting, involves redesigning an application to fully take advantage of cloud-native features. This is the most complex migration strategy but offers the most benefits.

When to Use Refactoring?

• If an application needs high scalability and performance

• When modernizing legacy applications

• If serverless, microservices, or containerization are required

Benefits of Refactoring

• Maximum cloud efficiency

• Improved application scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency

• Uses modern cloud services like Kubernetes, AWS Lambda, and more

Refactoring is best handled by experienced cloud migration companies, as it requires deep technical expertise.

5. Retire (Decommission Unused Applications)

Some applications are no longer needed in the cloud and can be decommissioned. Retiring applications helps businesses reduce complexity and cut costs.

When to Use Retiring?

• If the application is outdated and no longer serves a purpose

• When reducing IT overhead and maintenance costs

• If a more modern solution exists

Benefits of Retiring

• Lowers cloud costs

• Reduces security risks

• Frees up IT resources

Many businesses perform a full application inventory before cloud migration, identifying outdated or unnecessary software to retire.

6. Retain (Keep Some Applications On-Premises)

Not all applications should move to the cloud. Some businesses choose to retain certain workloads in on-premises environments due to security, compliance, or technical limitations.

When to Use Retaining?

• If an application has strict regulatory requirements

• When migrating is too costly or complex

• If it makes sense to keep a hybrid cloud setup

Benefits of Retaining

• Ensures regulatory compliance

• Prevents disruptions in business-critical applications

• Allows for a gradual migration strategy

Many cloud migration companies in the USA offer hybrid cloud solutions, helping businesses manage both cloud and on-premise applications effectively.

How Leading Cloud Migration Companies Implement the 6 R’s

The best cloud migration companies follow a structured assessment and migration process:

• Evaluate current IT infrastructure and applications

• Define the best 6 R’s strategy for each workload

• Implement cloud solutions with minimal disruption

• Optimize and monitor cloud performance post-migration

By working with top cloud migration companies, businesses can reduce risks and maximize cloud benefits.

FAQs

What are the 6 R’s of cloud migration?
The 6 R’s of cloud migration are Rehosting, Replatforming, Repurchasing, Refactoring, Retiring, and Retaining. These strategies help businesses decide how to migrate their applications to the cloud.

Which cloud migration strategy is best for my business?
It depends on your business needs. Rehosting is quick, Refactoring offers the best cloud-native benefits, and Repurchasing is ideal for SaaS adoption.

Why do companies use cloud migration companies in the USA?
Top cloud migration companies in the USA provide expert guidance, secure migrations, and cost-efficient solutions, ensuring a smooth transition.

How can I find the best cloud migration companies?
Look for companies with proven case studies, industry certifications, and expertise in multi-cloud solutions.

What is the difference between rehosting and refactoring?
Rehosting moves applications without changes, while Refactoring involves redeveloping applications to be cloud-native.

Conclusion

The 6 R’s of cloud migration provide a structured approach to moving applications to the cloud. Whether you choose Rehosting, Replatforming, or Refactoring, working with experienced cloud migration companies ensures a successful and cost-effective migration.