Azure Migration Services — Program, Funding & Coverage
Migrating to Azure without a structured approach leads to budget overruns, extended timelines, and environments that cost more than the infrastructure they replaced. Opsio's Azure migration services provide end-to-end support — from assessment and landing zone design through execution and post-migration optimisation — ensuring your workloads arrive on Azure secure, performant, and cost-effective.
Trusted by 100+ organisations across 6 countries
200+
Workloads Migrated
35%
Avg Cost Savings
0
Downtime Events
99.9%
Post-Migration Uptime
What's Included
Migration Assessment
Azure Migrate-driven discovery of servers, databases, applications, and dependencies. TCO analysis, migration complexity scoring, and wave planning for phased execution. Compliance gap analysis for regulated workloads.
Landing Zone Architecture
Enterprise-scale landing zones using management groups, subscriptions, and Azure Policy. Hub-and-spoke networking, Azure Firewall, Private Link, Azure AD integration, and compliance guardrails deployed via Terraform.
Server Migration
Azure Migrate for VMware, Hyper-V, and physical server migration with continuous replication and minimal cutover downtime. Re-platforming to Azure App Service or AKS for suitable workloads.
Database Migration
Azure Database Migration Service for SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle migrations. Schema assessment, compatibility testing, continuous replication, and validated cutover with near-zero downtime.
Post-Migration Optimisation
Right-sizing with Azure Advisor, Reserved Instance and Savings Plan implementation, monitoring configuration with Azure Monitor, and security posture validation with Defender for Cloud.
Free consultation
Talk to an expert about Azure Migration Services
Tell us briefly what you need. A specialist replies within one business day — free and without obligation.
- Reply within one business day
- No obligation
- Certified cloud engineers
Opsio is our partner for IT operations and cyber security – a crucial part of our business. We roast 12 million cups of coffee each day, and therefore have high demands for availability and reliability to deliver the best possible quality for our customers. Our partnership with Opsio is vital for us to succeed with this central function.
Magnus Norman
Head of IT · Löfbergs
Migrate to Azure With Zero Downtime
This page is the umbrella view of Opsio's Azure migration practice — the program, funding, and coverage map across every workload type, source platform, and Microsoft funding programme we operate under. If you are evaluating Opsio for a multi-wave, multi-workload Azure migration programme, this is the right starting point. For the four-phase delivery methodology and tooling deep-dive — Assess, Design, Execute, Optimise — see the sibling page at Azure migration service; that page is the methodology counterpart, and the two are deliberately published as a paired set rather than a duplicate. The plural page (this one) answers 'what does Opsio's full Azure migration capability cover and how is it funded?'; the singular page answers 'how does Opsio actually execute a migration, wave by wave?'. The program covers the full breadth of Azure migration paths: VMware-on-Azure via Azure VMware Solution (AVS) for customers preserving vSphere operational patterns; Hyper-V to Azure VMs using Azure Migrate Server Migration; physical-server migration via the Azure Mobility Service agent; SQL Server lift to Azure VM, replatform to Azure SQL Managed Instance, or refactor to Azure SQL Database depending on application compatibility; mainframe and midrange modernisation through partner-led approaches (Astadia, LzLabs, Micro Focus) sequenced into Azure; and SAP on Azure (S/4HANA, ECC) including HANA-certified VM sizing and Azure Centre for SAP solutions integration. We also operate cross-cloud AWS-to-Azure migrations, drawing on the comparative analysis in our AWS-to-Azure migration playbook and the broader funding-mechanism comparison in our MAP vs Azure Migration Program brief.
Funding and incentive alignment is a programme-level concern, not a per-workload one, which is why it lives on this umbrella page rather than on the methodology sibling. We engage Microsoft funding programmes including the Azure Migration and Modernisation Program (AMMP), Microsoft FastTrack for Azure for eligible architectures, and the partner-led Solutions Assessment programme for pre-migration discovery. Funding tracks differ by workload type — SAP on Azure has its own commercial track, SQL Server modernisation has dedicated incentives, and Windows Server and SQL Server end-of-support workloads qualify for Extended Security Update credits when migrated to Azure. Opsio handles eligibility evaluation, application paperwork, and Microsoft co-sell engagement directly so funding lands on time and reduces your committed AMC.
Wave planning and migration factory cadence are how the program scales beyond a single workload. Once the landing zone is built — see Azure managed services for the steady-state operations of that landing zone — we sequence workload waves of 5-25 servers depending on dependency complexity, with each wave running on a two-to-three-week cadence: assessment, replatform code prep, replication, test cutover, production cutover, hyper-care. For enterprises with 50-200+ workloads, this factory cadence is the difference between a migration that completes in 4-9 months and one that drifts into perpetual partial-migration. Coverage extends to regulatory and data-residency obligations: Sweden Central, Germany West Central, France Central, and UK South are the typical primary regions for European customers under NIS2, DORA, GDPR, and Swedish data-residency regimes, with Microsoft-defined region pairs used for the disaster-recovery posture established under Azure DRaaS. Our certified Azure architects have shipped 200+ workloads across financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology — and every wave includes security hardening, compliance validation, and performance testing before production cutover. Featured reading from our knowledge base: How Opsio Streamlines Success with the AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP), AWS Migration Acceleration: Cloud Boosting Guide – Opsio, and Migration Acceleration Program: Streamlining Your Path to Cloud Success.
How Opsio Compares
| Migration program capability | In-house migration team | Generic Azure partner | Opsio Azure migration program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage of workload types | Strong on a few; gaps on SAP, mainframe, VMware, SQL modernisation | Lift-and-shift focus; modernisation and refactor capacity limited | VMware/AVS, Hyper-V, physical, SQL Server (lift/replatform/refactor), SAP on Azure, mainframe via partners |
| Microsoft funding programmes | Funding rarely pursued; eligibility unknown | Funding discussed but paperwork not handled | AMMP, FastTrack, ESU credits, Solutions Assessment — eligibility, application, and Microsoft co-sell handled end-to-end |
| AWS-to-Azure migration | Treated as a from-scratch Azure project; AWS knowledge lost | Often refused or scoped as two separate engagements | Cross-cloud playbook with AWS-side decommissioning sequenced into Azure landing-zone deployment |
| Wave planning and factory cadence | First wave succeeds; subsequent waves slip due to bandwidth | One wave at a time; no parallel execution | 5-25 servers per wave on 2-3 week cadence with parallel waves where dependencies allow |
| Data residency and regulatory fit | Sweden Central or local region adopted; documentation thin | Region chosen by default; residency mapped after the fact | Region pair selected against NIS2/DORA/GDPR/Schrems II constraints, documented in landing-zone code |
| Landing zone and IaC artefact | Built once; drift over time; modules not reusable | Subscription-only setup; management groups and SCPs missing | Enterprise-scale landing zone with management groups, Azure Policy, SCPs, hub-and-spoke networking as Terraform/Bicep |
| Post-migration optimisation included | Skipped due to migration fatigue | Separate engagement; rarely scheduled | Right-sizing, RI/SP modelling, Defender posture review built into wave-exit checklists |
Ready to get started?
Why Choose Opsio for Cloud Services
Proven methodology
Assess, Design, Execute, Optimise — a structured approach that eliminates the surprises causing 65% of migrations to exceed budget.
Zero-downtime execution
Continuous replication, blue-green cutover, and DNS failover ensure your business runs uninterrupted throughout migration.
Landing zone first
Governance, security, and networking designed before the first workload migrates — not retrofitted after the mess is already in production.
Optimisation included
Post-migration right-sizing and cost optimisation ensure you actually realise the savings that justified the migration.
Not sure yet? Start with a pilot.
Begin with a focused 2-week assessment. See real results before committing to a full engagement. If you proceed, the pilot cost is credited toward your project.
Our 4-Phase Delivery Process
Assess
Discover all workloads, map dependencies, analyse TCO, and classify migration strategy per workload. Deliverable: migration readiness report and wave plan. Timeline: 2-3 weeks.
Design
Build the Azure landing zone: networking, security, identity, governance, and compliance controls deployed via Terraform. Timeline: 2-4 weeks.
Execute
Migrate workloads in prioritised waves using Azure Migrate and DMS. Each wave includes testing, validation, and zero-downtime cutover. Timeline: 4-16 weeks depending on scope.
Optimise
Right-size resources, implement Reserved Instances, configure monitoring, and hand over operational documentation. Timeline: 2-3 weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Migration Assessment
- Landing Zone Architecture
- Server Migration
- Database Migration
- Post-Migration Optimisation
Azure Migration Services — Program, Funding & Coverage — FAQ
How long does an Azure migration take?
A focused migration of 10-20 servers takes 6-10 weeks including assessment and landing zone setup. Enterprise migrations with 50-200+ workloads typically run 4-9 months in phased waves. Opsio accelerates timelines by running assessment and landing zone preparation in parallel and executing migration waves concurrently where dependencies allow.
What does Azure migration cost?
Assessment and landing zone design runs $15,000-$40,000. End-to-end migration execution ranges from $50,000-$250,000+ depending on workload count, database complexity, and required re-platforming. Post-migration optimisation typically saves 25-35% on monthly Azure costs, delivering ROI within 12-18 months. Detailed pricing is provided during the assessment phase.
Can we migrate databases without downtime?
Yes. Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) supports continuous replication for SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle. Data replicates continuously from source to Azure, with a brief cutover window (typically minutes) for the final switchover. For applications requiring true zero-downtime, we implement dual-write patterns with automated failback.
What happens to our on-premises infrastructure after migration?
We recommend a phased decommissioning plan: maintain on-premises infrastructure for 30-60 days post-migration as a rollback option, then systematically decommission servers after validation. Azure Migrate tracks migration status for every workload, and our operational runbooks document rollback procedures for each wave. Once validated, decommissioning the on-premises infrastructure completes the cost savings realisation.
How are wave planning and migration factory cadence structured?
Once the landing zone is operational, we sequence workload waves of 5-25 servers depending on dependency complexity and risk tolerance. Each wave runs on a two-to-three-week cadence: assessment refresh, replatform code preparation, replication enablement, test cutover in an isolated environment, production cutover during the agreed change window, and a hyper-care period. For organisations with 50-200+ workloads, multiple waves can run in parallel where dependencies do not overlap, which is the key difference between a migration that completes in 4-9 months and one that drifts indefinitely. Wave readiness is gated on documented exit criteria, not calendar dates.
How does multi-workload sequencing across SAP, SQL, and IaaS work?
Sequencing is dependency-driven, not technology-driven. We map application dependencies through Azure Migrate dependency visualisation and direct interviews, then group workloads into bounded contexts that can migrate as a unit. SAP migrations typically run as their own program track because they require specialist sizing (M-series VMs for HANA) and a dedicated cutover window. SQL Server modernisation can run in parallel with general IaaS waves but with database cutovers gated on application read-only and read-write transition tests. Mainframe migration via Astadia, LzLabs, or Micro Focus partnerships runs as a long-tail track with its own multi-quarter sequencing.
What does AWS-to-Azure migration look like in this program?
AWS-to-Azure is a cross-cloud track within the program. We start with an AWS-side discovery (EC2, RDS, EBS, S3 inventory and dependency map), translate AWS architectures into Azure equivalents (EC2 to Azure VMs or App Service, RDS to Azure SQL Database or Database for PostgreSQL, S3 to Blob storage with appropriate tiering), build the Azure landing zone, and replicate workloads using Azure Migrate's agent-based path for live AWS EC2 instances. The funding angle differs from a from-scratch migration — see our /blogs/aws-map-vs-azure-migration-program-comparison/ for how MAP and AMMP differ. Decommissioning the AWS side is sequenced to avoid double-paying for steady-state run-rate.
Are mainframe and SAP workloads in scope?
Yes, with the caveat that both are partner-led specialist tracks within the program rather than commodity workload waves. Mainframe modernisation to Azure runs through Astadia (rehosting), LzLabs (refactor to Java/.NET), or Micro Focus (replatform), with Opsio providing the Azure landing-zone, security, and integration layers. SAP on Azure covers S/4HANA, ECC, and BW workloads, including HANA-certified VM sizing (M-series for large HANA), Azure Centre for SAP solutions integration, and the SAP-specific Microsoft commercial track. Both tracks need 12-24 week lead times for assessment and sizing before wave execution begins.
How is data residency handled for European regulated industries?
Data residency is selected before any workload moves. For Swedish customers under NIS2 and Swedish data-residency requirements, Sweden Central is the standard primary region with West Europe as the disaster-recovery pair. For DACH customers under German BSI guidance, Germany West Central with North Europe pair. For French OIV/OSE workloads, France Central with France South. UK financial services typically run UK South with UK West. Each choice is documented in the landing-zone Terraform with Azure Policy enforcing geo-restrictions, so workloads cannot accidentally be deployed outside the agreed boundary. The DR posture inherits the same residency rules — see /azure-disaster-recovery-as-a-service/ for how that interlocks.
Still have questions? Our team is ready to help.
Planning an Azure Migration?
Unplanned migrations cost 2-3x more than budgeted. Get a free migration assessment with dependency mapping and cost analysis.
Azure Migration Services — Program, Funding & Coverage
Free consultation