Azure Legacy Migration: Modernizing On-Premises Infrastructure Without Disruption
About The Client
With virtual machines, SQL Server 2012, Exchange 2016, terminal servers, antiquated firewall architecture, and on-premises backups, the client ran an IT environment that was ten years old. The infrastructure was becoming difficult to maintain and scale, and the organization required a structured Azure legacy migration approach to upgrade its environment without affecting day-to-day operations.
Project Objective
The project sought to migrate on-premises infrastructure to Azure while:
- Updating aging workloads and infrastructure.
- Creating a secure and sized Azure environment.
- Ensuring business continuity during migration.
- Updating desktop access, email, backup, and identification.
- Establishing a platform to build future clouds.
Project Details
Bloom used a staged approach to deliver an Azure cloud migration, starting with the intended Azure foundation before shifting workloads. VMs, databases, identities, email, backups, and desktop environments were all included in the Azure infrastructure migration.
Migration was scheduled and sized against actual usage data, and the workload was transferred in controlled waves to minimize operational risk. It was also engaged in the comprehensive migration of the legacy infrastructure to Azure, that assists the client in migrating to new, secure, and right-sized cloud services, replacing the old systems.
Important Steps
Established firewall controls that are aligned with Azure, hybrid connectivity, networking, and security baselines.
- Set up Entra ID hybrid identity with the help of Azure AD Connect.
- Moved VMs based on the approved migration plan.
- Upgraded SQL Server 2012 in Azure.
- Updated Exchange 2016 and moved email workloads to Microsoft 365.
- Moved backups to Azure-native services.
- Swapped dependency on terminal servers with an Azure Virtual Desktop pilot.
- Performed end-to-end and user acceptance testing of every wave of migration.
- Completed post-migration stabilization, training, and IT handover.
Engagement Model
Bloom provided Azure migration services in a wave-based approach suitable for enterprise organizations. The Azure migration for enterprises approach was built on three phases: cloud foundation, core workload migration, and desktop modernization.
Workload sizing was evaluated against actual usage data before migration, with each wave tested and stabilized before the next wave was launched. This provides a controlled Azure migration solution with the least impact on business operations.
Technology Highlights
- Microsoft Azure
- Azure Virtual Machines
- Azure Virtual Desktop
- Azure SQL
- Microsoft Entra ID & Azure AD Connect
- Microsoft 365
- Azure Backup
- Azure networking and security
- Recovery Services Vault
Business Value Delivered by Bloom
- Moved legacy infrastructure to Azure in six significant workstreams.
- Aging VMs have been modernized, including SQL, email, backup, identity, and desktop infrastructure.
- Created a safe and correctly sized Azure environment, according to real workload usage.
- Reduced dependency on aging on-premises systems through Azure legacy migration.
- Supported a contemporary desktop experience with an Azure Virtual Desktop pilot.
- Ensured business continuity and managed migration waves and validation.
Results & Measurable Outcomes
The migration of the Azure infrastructure involved six work streams, including VMs and databases, identity, email, desktops, and backup. The pilot was deployed to two Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts, and there were 0 unplanned outages during the cutover.
Engagement paved the way for scalable, ongoing Azure migration solutions, enabling the client to extend Azure Virtual Desktop, decommission remaining on-premises components, and optimize backup and recovery as the environment changes.
