Databases in the Cloud
SQL Server, safely to Azure
A flexible, scalable database — always with a backup in place.
- A proven six-step process — from assessment to optimisation
- Microsoft tooling: Azure Migrate and Azure Database Migration Service
- We stay after the migration — administering Azure is our daily work
A database that grows with your business
An on-premise SQL Server has hard limits: performance ends where the hardware does, and every upgrade means investment and downtime. Migrating SQL Server to Azure SQL Database is a strategic step that brings greater flexibility, scalability and cost efficiency.
Once migrated, you scale resources when you need them and monitor performance and usage continuously — without maintaining your own server hardware.
A migration method matched to your database
Not every database needs the same approach. We use three methods: lift-and-shift (moving as-is), migration with refactoring (adjustments to use cloud capabilities) and migration with re-architecture, when the application should take full advantage of Azure.
Migrating only part of a database is also possible if you don't want to move everything at once.
How the migration runs — six steps
We start with assessment and planning: analysing workloads with Azure Migrate, understanding your data and applications, and estimating costs. After choosing the method, we prepare the migration — creating backups, configuring connectivity to Azure (VPN or ExpressRoute) and setting permissions.
The migration itself runs through Azure Database Migration Service, followed by testing of the transferred data and application functionality. Finally, we tune performance and configure scaling and resource monitoring. Depending on database size, the whole process takes from a few hours to a few days.
Why C4PL
Data safety comes first: a current backup is always created before migration, so the database can be restored if anything goes wrong — and the whole operation can be rolled back. Where business continuity matters, we use live migration to limit downtime.
We work on Azure every day — administering it, monitoring it and optimising costs. After the migration, we can look after your database long term, as your external IT department.
Quick enquiry
Three clicks and we come back with specifics
No commitment. We reply on business days.
FAQ
Before you ask
Does the database have to go offline during migration?
It depends on the method. Live migration is available and minimises downtime — we move the database in a controlled way, choosing the method and timing to match your application's requirements.
What if something goes wrong during the migration?
A full backup is created before the migration. If problems occur, data is restored from the backup, and the migration itself can be rolled back to the pre-change environment. After the move, we test data and applications before calling the job done.
Will our applications and tools work with Azure SQL Database?
Many database management tools support Azure SQL Database, though some features may differ. That is why we review your applications during assessment, propose migration with refactoring where needed, and test everything after the move.
We start with a talk, not an invoice
15 minutes is enough to tell you where we can help.