In 2020 the trend to choose SaaS and cloud computing solutions rapidly accelerated. In the search for better data access, faster performance, and more customization, businesses migrate self-hosted tools to the cloud, including Redmine.
Redmine in Cloud Benefits in 2021
Remote Work? Access whenever you need it, wherever you need it
The remote work trend is here to stay for good. With many companies that allow employees to work remotely or in a hybrid flexible hours schedule, the need to provide access to data anytime, anywhere is the main reason for cloud adoption. In the SysGroup survey, 42% of business owners say that such access is more important than cost-savings.
End of Problems with Maintenance, Upgrades, and Infrastructure
Following the need for instant access, SysGroup lists list following main drivers of cloud adoption: disaster recovery (38%), flexibility (37%), and relieving IT staff’s job (36%). By switching to SaaS or cloud solution, your organisation no longer need to worry and assign resources for maintaining infrastructure, updating the platforms, and constant monitoring of the performance. And if in the case of an unlikely emergency, with a cloud or Redmine SaaS, the support is there to quickly resolve the issue.
More Features and Better Customization
Cloud-hosted Redmine provides far more features and customization with much fewer investments than a self-hosted platform can offer.
Looking at the example of RedmineUP Cloud, along with the instance, you get access to a long list of additional pre-installed Redmine plugins and themes.
Although the hosted Redmine instances are managed as a whole, each one is kept in separate docker containers what enables the RedmineUP IT to customize the list of plugins or Redmine configuration if that’s necessary.
Flexibility and Easiness to Scale
Another benefit of cloud-hosted Redmine is the platform flexibility it provides. You can start on a smaller plan, and as your needs grow, you can easily upscale your plan on a month-to-month basis. That allows you to accommodate any needs of new projects, new team members, or subcontractors. So you don’t overpay for the resources you don’t use or due to a lock-in contract. Not with SaaS.
The Highest Level of Security
Selecting a Redmine cloud version guarantees that you’re always running the most recent stable version of the core system, plugins, and themes. The system availability and support standards are guaranteed by the SLA agreement.
It’s also worth mentioning regular double backups and improved security of the cloud computing infrastructure based on the AWS network. Thus far, it's the most secure and robust cloud infrastructure globally with the best coverage and fastest access to data anywhere in the world.
Expert Redmine hosting can provide certificates such as:
- PCI DSS Level 1
- ISO/IEC 27001:2013
- SOC 1 Type II and SOC 2 Type II
- Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) STAR self-assessment
Easiness of Use
RedmineUP Cloud, as well as other hostings, allows you to start within minutes. Redmine instance is created within minutes enabling users to start using the new system quickly.
Considering the process of current database backup and migration, a business can still start within a matter of a few business days or a few weeks. Comparing this to the typical timeline of the migration process, between 3–5 months, is a rapid improvement.
Customer Support and Assigned Customer Manager
Another important reason for selecting cloud over self-hosted Redmine is reliable IT support. Redmine experts keep monitoring the status and health of servers, networks, instances, and load balancers to provide the same level of accessibility and availability.
In addition to technical and admin support, you have an individual Account Manager who is always there to advise. The manager helps apply proven best practices in using the tool and, if your team desires — and managing projects.
No lock-in for selected vendors
It’s equally easy to migrate from self-hosted Redmine to cloud-hosted Redmine, and the way back, if your business will need it, however only for default Redmine and selected Redmine hosting vendors, such as RedmineUP or Planio. As they offer a Redmine extended only with the plugins and themes, the safety vent that gives your business the flexibility still exists.
It’s not uncommon to hide the lack of such an option for some Redmine SaaS Vendors, such as Easy Redmine. It’s because their hosting uses a modified Redmine core. By switching from the default system to Easy Redmine, your company is locked-in on a Redmine fork and would need to stay on their platform for good, as there’s not back-compatibility with core Redmine. Hence, please review if your Redmine hosting does provide such an option.
Making the decision to migrate to Cloud
Transitioning from an existing system to a new one is not always easy, especially if the old one still works. But as with the transition from an old car that you owned t a new leased car.
Giving up the ownership and history seems hard, but you gain more safety and comfort, and on top of that, all the maintenance is done and paid for by leasing providers.
Also, people choose cloud services such as Netflix, Spotify for more customization, ease of use, and a better experience in digital services.
How to prepare for Redmine Cloud Migration?
1. Choose Redmine Cloud hosting for your needs
Each organization's needs are slightly different, that’s why the first step is to sit down with the team and stakeholders and prepare a list of criteria that will guide your selection process.
There’s only a handful of proven Redmine hosting providers, so the choice shouldn’t be too hard or time-consuming.
The easiest way is to set up trial accounts and mirror the typical project with the most common tasks. Invite a few users and test both the Redmine instance's performance and cooperation with the provider’s team.
2. Prepare a database backup — database dump from your self-hosted Redmine.
Redmine cloud service provider will need the backup of your Redmine database along with attachments to upload to a hosted instance.
The process is straightforward and requires your system administrator to follow a well-documented guide.
The steps to export Redmine database backup and the export of Redmine files are covered on the RedmineUP blog. You can also refer to Redmine backup and restore instructions for details.
3. Sign NDA and SLA agreements with Redmine hosting provider.
Even though smaller and mid-sized companies can kick-off migration to the cloud from day to day, Enterprise customers need a foundation for successful cloud adoption.
All stakeholders must ensure the conditions are clear, and the company can rely on open-source software in the same way as on commercial enterprise-class software, and Redmine is no different here.
That’s why it’s a common thing to sign an NDA agreement before you open your system for the third party to ensure your data and user’s privacy is protected. And before committing to migration, it is vitally important to sign an SLA agreement to keep the provider to the support standards.
4. Create a free trial account.
You don’t need to sign up for a long-term commitment, which is a great advantage of the Cloud Redmine.
Starting with the Trial account is a great kick-off of the migration project. And then, you can pay-as-you-go. That also helps to keep your organizational cashflow optimal. As you only pay on a regular monthly basis.
5. Reserve a weekend slot for data migration
The best time to import your data into the Cloud instance is on the weekend. As you can easily guess, it’s because no one is using the system then. There’s no risk of missing any recent update. Also, the load on the servers and infrastructure is at minimal levels.
6. User Acceptance Testing
Software migration projects, such as Redmine migration, are performed by experts who follow a proven framework. Each defined step is supervised by a specialist who carefully monitors the system and successful execution.
On top of that, you have a personal account manager that will keep you informed and help you with the final review. Your team needs to review if all data, attachments, and settings are successfully applied. Then connect all external services via API, such as GitHub, update your passwords, and enjoy work with peace of mind.
Migrate Redmine to Cloud in a nutshell
The key decision is what has the value for your business–do you want to have physical access to the server, even if that tied with more risk, resources, risk, and potential problems? Or perhaps you are open to renounce part of control in favour of better performance, more customization, easiness to operate, and lower costs?
Choosing a Redmine SaaS solution in the Cloud will inevitably enable you to better focus on your core projects. You don’t have to dive deep into the unknown.
Create a free Cloud account for a start. Try it for 15 days and see it fits your needs. Request a personal demo from a proven Redmine hosting vendor and see how it fits. Please speak with the RedmineUP experts to draw the action plan and get ready to give your business the boost it deserves.
