Cloud Services 2025: The Definitive Guide for Critical Applications

Fecha de publicación : July 4, 2025

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Introduction

Adopting cloud services today is no longer just about getting rid of the data center—it’s an opportunity to improve and redesign processes, strengthen cybersecurity with next-gen tools, and, of course, manage costs effectively.

Analysts like IDC estimate that 7 out of 10 critical workloads will run in the cloud by 2026. However, current data shows that 3 out of 5 migrations exceed budget mainly because they are treated as infrastructure projects instead of full business transformations.

Take the example of a retailer that experiences a 400% traffic surge during CyberDay. With an on-premise setup, they must overprovision servers year-round. In the cloud, they can scale in minutes. The real challenge? Controlling variable costs while maintaining a seamless customer experience.

This guide will show you how to achieve both based on the most common pitfalls we see every day at Novis, as a Managed Service Provider (MSP).

1. When Should You Choose Each Cloud Service Model?

Choosing a cloud model is not just a technical decision it defines responsibilities, cost distribution, and your business’s pace of innovation.

Ask yourself: Where does your team add value? Managing operating systems, or building new features? Offload anything that’s a commodity to free up talent and capital.

Model	Your Responsibility	Best Use Case
IaaS	OS, patches, middleware, internal security	Granular control; legacy workloads
PaaS	Code and data; vendor manages runtime and patches	Native apps, microservices, fast delivery
SaaS	Only configurations and data	Standard processes, fast time-to-value
Managed Cloud	Business KPIs; MSP handles 24/7 ops and FinOps	Critical workloads with limited internal IT

Expert Tip:
If your IT team spends more than 40% of their time on patching and tickets, it’s time to delegate operations to a managed service.

2. What Is an MSP, and When Do You Need One?

An MSP (Managed Service Provider) takes over the ongoing management of a company’s IT infrastructure—including servers, networks, databases, SAP systems, legacy apps, and security services—under a 24/7 support model with defined SLAs.

What does a cloud MSP typically manage?

Area	Example Responsibilities
Operations & Monitoring	IaaS/PaaS management, patching, performance monitoring, proactive alerts
Security & Compliance	Identity management, encryption, audits, incident response
Cost Optimization	Rightsizing, FinOps recommendations, usage reports, cost forecasts
Backup & DR	Automated backups, DR testing, multi-zone high availability
Architecture & Modernization	Legacy/SAP migrations, container/serverless adoption, IaC automation
Help Desk & Support	Tier 1–3 support for SAP/legacy users, ticketing, ongoing training

Benefits of Working with an MSP

Business Focus: Free up internal teams from operations to focus on strategic initiatives.
Reliability & Scalability: Architectures designed for elastic growth with guaranteed SLAs.
Predictable, Optimized Costs: Monthly billing under an “as-a-service” model with full cost control.
Access to Expertise: Certified engineers (cloud, SAP, security) available 24/7 without recruitment costs.
Faster Innovation: Continuous improvement roadmaps and sandbox testing (analytics, AI, DevOps) without impacting production.

Bottom line: A cloud MSP is your external partner who operationalizes the cloud—keeping SAP, legacy, and all critical workloads secure, optimized, and cost-controlled so your business can move faster and safer.

3. How to Find a Good MSP

Criteria	Ask Your Partner	Good Sign	Red Flag
Industry Experience	How many SAP/productive systems have they migrated?	20+ productive SAP systems, on-site references	Only pilots or test systems
Certifications	Do they hold organizational certifications (AWS SAP Competency, Azure SAP)?	Active company-level certifications; 50%+ certified staff	Only individual consultant certs
FinOps Capabilities	Do they use proactive FinOps tools?	Automated tooling for cost control	Manual spreadsheet-based cost tracking
24/7 Support	How do they handle a 3 a.m. incident?	Own NOC + documented runbooks	Office-hours-only reactive support

Pro Tips:

Ask for References: Always ask to speak directly with a CIO from a similar project to validate performance.
Ensure Governance: Make sure you’re assigned a Key Account Manager (KAM) to coordinate internal teams and ensure SLAs are met.

4. Cloud Migration Roadmap in 10 Steps — Pitfalls Included

Success depends not only on the tech, but on having a clear, shared roadmap—a living contract between IT, finance, and business units. Without it, migration risks turning into a costly big-bang or an eternal zombie project.

Step	Objective	Common Pitfall	How to Avoid It
1. Inventory	Identify systems & dependencies	Skipping batch jobs & integrations	Map processes, not just servers
2. TCO	Build business case	Only comparing CAPEX vs OPEX	Include energy savings and licensing
3. RTO/RPO	Define fault tolerance	“One-size-fits-all” RTO	Prioritize by criticality
4. 6R Strategy	Pick rehost/refactor	Refactoring everything	Only refactor what adds value
5. Landing Zone	Build secure base	Manual account setup	Use IaC from day one
6. Pilot	Test performance	Testing during off-peak hours	Simulate production-level traffic
7. Cutover	Minimize downtime	Unrealistically tight window	Rehearse multiple times
8. FinOps	Control spending	Rightsizing at the end	Make it continuous
9. Automate	Eliminate human error	Uncontrolled local scripts	Use CI/CD and version control
10. Improve	Continuously evolve	Declaring “project complete” too soon	Monthly Kaizen + SLA review

Expert tip:
Start with a non-critical system. It’s your dress rehearsal—discover bottlenecks without risking the business.

5. Phases of a 2025 Cloud Migration (Ready-to-Use Framework)

Successful cloud adoption requires alignment across people, processes, and metrics—not just tools. These phases reflect best practices Novis has refined through over 120 SAP cloud projects and serve as a practical roadmap for IT, PMO, and finance teams.

Phase	Key KPI	Novis Advice
Discover	≥ 95% assets mapped	Tag workloads as High/Medium/Low impact
Plan	ROI ≥ 20%	Simulate “slow lift-off” and “peak season” separately
Landing Zone	CIS ≥ 90%	Automate setup; avoid manual quick fixes
Migrate	Downtime ≤ RTO	Automate SAP reboot sequence to avoid DB locks
Optimize	≥ 20% cost savings	Resize continuously; don’t wait for post go-live
Operate	SLA ≥ 99.95%	Run real failover drills quarterly, not just tabletop exercises

Prácticas que recomendamos:

Assign a lead for each phase Cloud Architect, SAP Lead, FinOps Lead, CISO.
Define one OKR per phase Ensure each phase has a clear, measurable objective.
Review each phase during sprint retrospectives Continuously improve by analyzing outcomes and feedback.

6. FAQ

What’s the difference between Managed Cloud and an MSP?

1. Nature
  - Managed Cloud is a service model: the infrastructure and platforms (IaaS/PaaS) are delivered turnkey—already monitored, patched, backed up, and secure.
  - MSP is the provider (who delivers it), assuming continuous operation of a client’s IT environment (on-prem, hybrid, or cloud).
2. Scope
  - Managed Cloud is typically limited to the contracted platform (e.g., just the database or IaaS layer).
  - An MSP covers platform and application end-to-end: OS patching, SAP upgrades, performance tuning, governance, etc.
3. Origin
  - Managed Cloud can be native to the hyperscaler (e.g., AWS, Azure) or offered as an add-on by a partner.
  - MSPs are always third parties that integrate multiple clouds—and often your on-premise data center.
4. Flexibility
  - Native managed services are often limited to standard vendor functionality.
  - MSPs adapt, customize, and combine services across clouds, legacy systems, SaaS, and their own toolsets.
5. SLAs
  - In native managed cloud, SLAs are set by the hyperscaler and rarely negotiable.
  - With an MSP, SLAs (response time, RTO/RPO, business KPIs) are defined with you and can cover both functional and evolutionary support.

How do they complement each other?

- You can consume a Managed Cloud service and delegate its governance to an MSP that:
  - Optimizes costs, rightsizes instances, and manages licensing.
  - Monitors business metrics (e.g., SAP orders, batch jobs).
  - Integrates with your legacy systems and Security Operations Center (SOC).
What’s the difference between backup and DR in the cloud?

Backup protects data. DR ensures continuity—it includes failover orchestration, networking, and DNS.

Can I keep some apps on-prem and move others to the cloud?

Yes. A hybrid approach works well with VPN/Direct Connect and HANA System Replication (SR).

What monitoring tools does Novis recommend?

More important than the tool is having a 24/7 managed service—certified processes, tools, and an expert team ensure operational continuity regardless of internal availability or vacations.

Can I move SAP S/4HANA to the cloud without RISE?

Yes—with certified cloud instances and Novis support, a lift-and-shift migration is possible and can be optimized later.

Final Conclusion: Cloud Is Not a Destination—It’s a Continuous Journey

Successfully adopting cloud services requires strategy, metrics, and a partner that stays with you beyond migration. Novis brings 20 years of SAP and cloud operations, plus world-class FinOps and automation practices. The result: Fewer surprises, lower spend, more innovation.

What’s next? Contact us to schedule your Cloud Assessment and receive:

Strategy recommendations
Project effort estimates
Data readiness review
Infrastructure sizing & architecture
Interface analysis
Executive summary with conclusions & recommendations

Written by Gilda Valderrama, Novis Bulletin Editor. LinkedIn profile

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