Modernizing legacy IT environments and moving securely to the cloud are top priorities for customers today. With the cloud migration market projected to reach $1.03 trillion1 by 2030, representing an approximate 28% compound annual growth rate (CAGR),2 organizations everywhere seek to strengthen their digital foundations—and they expect migrations to be secure, efficient, and tied to business outcomes. This is where partners make the difference. Your expertise speeds transformation and empowers customers to realize the full value of Microsoft Azure.
Why modernizing legacy IT environments is essential
Modernization is critical across industries. As software and hardware reach end of support, the risk of disruption rises. Unsupported systems create security gaps and operational challenges because they no longer receive essential updates. Meanwhile, regulatory pressure is mounting. Regulations like the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and mandates in financial services and data management demand secure, up-to-date infrastructure to stay compliant and avoid costly penalties.
Modernization isn’t just about reducing risk; it’s about seizing the moment of innovation. Modern platforms support AI, automation, and advanced data capabilities. Customers can move faster, operate more efficiently, and respond rapidly to new opportunities by updating legacy systems. Your expertise positions them competitively at the frontier of AI and intelligent operations.
Assessments: The foundation for secure cloud migrations
Secure, successful migrations start with strong assessments. With a clear view of the legacy environment, partners can understand current systems, align to business priorities, and design secure, scalable architectures. Assessments lay the groundwork for technical execution, compliance, and resilience.
Partner best practices that drive results
We continue to find that top-performing migration partners apply the following key practices:
- Engage early and often: Initiate conversations early, leveraging Azure Accelerate presales offers to build trust and uncover customer needs.
- Drive proof of value (PoV): Run POV engagements to demonstrate tangible business outcomes, reduce risk, and accelerate decision-making.
- Leverage AI-powered tools: AI-assisted assessment tools like Azure Migrate and Dr Migrate support rapid, secure, and comprehensive environment assessments—often leading to proposals turned around in days.
- Accelerate migrations: A new benefit of Azure Accelerate, Cloud Accelerate Factory can jump-start your Azure projects with no-cost deployment assistance from Microsoft experts.
- Prioritize security: Protect your hybrid and multicloud environments with unified measures throughout the entire application lifecycle, from code to runtime, using Microsoft Defender for Cloud. Be sure to sign in to access the Security playbook and additional partner resources that can drive your business growth.
Unlock the migration and modernization opportunity
Microsoft provides partners with the resources, funding, and tools to deliver value to customers at every stage—from initial assessment to full cloud adoption.
- Azure Accelerate brings migration, modernization, and innovation resources together in one place. Access funding, guidance, and technical resources to support assessments, pilots, and full deployments across infrastructure, databases, applications, security (Defender for Cloud), and AI scenarios. This includes workloads such as VMware, SAP, Linux, PostgreSQL, and Oracle Database at Azure, supported by proven methodologies and tools.
- Azure Migrate remains a foundational discovery and assessment tool. It provides deep insights into on-premises environments and builds strong business cases for cloud adoption.
- Dr Migrate, available to eligible partners through Azure Accelerate, brings AI automation to accelerate assessments and proof-of-value engagements while producing a clear business case for Azure.
Your expertise drives secure, scalable migrations and modernization efforts that empower customers to achieve meaningful results in Azure. Now’s the time to advance these practices.
Get started by exploring the Azure Accelerate resource gallery, learn more about Azure Migrate and the Dr Migrate tool, and sign up for the Migrate and Modernize forum to stay updated on early access to Azure offerings, product roadmaps, and marketing news for partners.
Modernization is a catalyst, not the finish line
As customers strengthen their digital core, they rely on trusted partners to simplify complexity, guide secure and efficient migrations, and position them for what’s next: intelligent applications, AI automation, and data-powered insights that move them toward frontier performance. With Azure Accelerate and the Microsoft Cloud, you have the platform, tools, and support to deliver modernization with measurable results and build lasting, high-value relationships.
Thank you for leading customers through this transformation and driving what’s possible with cloud and AI. Together, we’re empowering organizations to modernize with confidence and move into the future ready to innovate, compete, and grow.
1 Throughout this document, $ refers to US dollar (USD).
2 Mordor Intelligence, “Cloud Migration Market Size,” October 2024.