One of the most significant obstacles companies face when considering a move to Azure or Windows 365 is the cost of data. Often, businesses have accumulated massive amounts of data over the years, and the expense of cloud storage can be daunting. This is especially true for companies looking to lift and shift to a total cloud solution, including Azure with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and servers in Tier 3 Data Centers.

Many organizations fall in love with the idea of virtual desktop infrastructure, only to abandon their plans due to the sheer volume of data they have amassed. However, there are strategies to mitigate these costs and make the transition more feasible.

Step 1: Data Deletion and Archiving

The first step towards managing data costs is to recognize that not all data needs to be stored in the cloud. Much of the data can be deleted, and what cannot be deleted (such as data mandated to be kept for compliance purposes in fields like accounting and law) can be archived. Training employees to move data to archive storage is crucial. Your IT provider can facilitate this by adding a simple icon that connects staff to the archive data.

Step 2: Shifting the Mindset

A significant part of managing data involves changing the way everyone in the organization views data cleanup. Think of it like maintaining a home. You wouldn’t wait to mow the lawn only when you plan to sell the house. If you did, the grass would grow so high that the house would be obscured from view. Similarly, regular data cleanup prevents the task from becoming monumental.

Step 3: Regular Data Maintenance

Establish a monthly habit of cleaning up data and moving old data to the archive....Read More