Cloud Services 2025: The Definitive Guide for Critical Applications

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.

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?

Benefits of Working with an MSP

1. Business Focus: Free up internal teams from operations to focus on strategic initiatives.
2. Reliability & Scalability: Architectures designed for elastic growth with guaranteed SLAs.
3. Predictable, Optimized Costs: Monthly billing under an “as-a-service” model with full cost control.
4. Access to Expertise: Certified engineers (cloud, SAP, security) available 24/7 without recruitment costs.
5. 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

Pro Tips:

1. Ask for References: Always ask to speak directly with a CIO from a similar project to validate performance.
2. 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.

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.

Prácticas que recomendamos:

1. Assign a lead for each phase Cloud Architect, SAP Lead, FinOps Lead, CISO.
2. Define one OKR per phase Ensure each phase has a clear, measurable objective.
3. 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. 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:

1. Strategy recommendations
2. Project effort estimates
3. Data readiness review
4. Infrastructure sizing & architecture
5. Interface analysis
6. Executive summary with conclusions & recommendations

Written by Gilda Valderrama, Novis Bulletin Editor. LinkedIn profile