Azure Migration Services UK: Costs, Providers & Planning
Quick answer
Azure migration services help UK businesses move servers, applications, databases, desktops, files or workloads into Microsoft Azure and an Azure migration provider can help with:
- cloud readiness assessment
- Azure migration planning
- server migration
- application migration
- database migration
- file server migration
- Azure Virtual Desktop migration
- backup and disaster recovery
- Microsoft 365 and Entra ID integration
- Azure landing zone design
- networking and connectivity
- security and governance
- cost modelling
- testing
- cutover planning
- post-migration support
- Azure cost optimisation
Azure migration costs vary because every environment is different.
As a quick guide:
| Migration need |
|
| Azure readiness assessment |
Fixed fee or consultancy day rate
|
| Small server migration |
|
| File server migration |
|
| Database migration |
Project-based or specialist quote
|
| Application migration |
|
| Azure Virtual Desktop migration |
Per user or project-based
|
| Azure landing zone |
|
| Hybrid cloud migration |
|
| Full Azure migration project |
|
| Post-migration support |
|
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Compare Azure migration services in the UK
Use this guide if you are comparing:
- Azure migration services
- Azure migration services UK
- Microsoft Azure migration
- Azure cloud migration
- Azure migration provider
- Azure migration partner
- Azure migration planning
- Azure server migration
- Azure application migration
- Azure database migration
- Azure workload migration
- Azure Virtual Desktop migration
- Azure Migrate
- migrate servers to Azure
- migrate apps to Azure
- migrate databases to Azure
- migrate file server to Azure
- migrate VMware to Azure
- migrate on-premise servers to Azure
- move business servers to Azure
- cloud migration services UK
- Microsoft cloud migration
- Azure migration assessment
- Azure landing zone services
- Azure migration costs
- Azure migration project plan
- Azure migration support
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Reviewed by: James Ward (Telecoms Specialist, 12+ Years Experience)
Last Updated: August 2026
Key takeaways
- Azure migration services are project-led and focus on moving systems into Azure.
- Azure managed services are ongoing and focus on running, supporting and optimising Azure after migration.
- Microsoft Azure Migrate can be used to assess, migrate and modernise workloads before or during migration.
- Microsoft’s Cloud Adoption Framework gives structured guidance for cloud adoption and migration planning.
- An Azure migration should usually include discovery, assessment, cost modelling, landing zone design, migration planning, testing, cutover and post-migration optimisation.
- Not every workload should be moved as-is. Some systems should be modernised, replaced, retired or kept on-premise.
- The biggest Azure migration risks are poor planning, weak security, underestimated costs, application dependencies and no post-migration support.
- The best quote should separate assessment, migration project work, Azure consumption, licences, security, connectivity and ongoing support.
- A good Azure migration provider should explain what happens before, during and after go-live.
- If Azure is slow after migration, the issue may be architecture, networking, app design or connectivity rather than Azure itself.
Contents
Azure migration services vs Azure managed services
Who needs Azure migration services?
What can be migrated to Azure?
Azure migration approaches
Azure migration process
Azure migration cost guide UK
Azure migration provider types
What are Azure migration services?
Azure migration services are professional services that help a business move technology from an existing environment into Microsoft Azure, and that existing environment could be:
- on-premise servers
- old physical servers
- VMware
- Hyper-V
- private cloud
- another public cloud
- hosted desktops
- file servers
- SQL databases
- legacy applications
- backup systems
- disaster recovery systems
- remote desktop services
- development environments
The new Azure environment might include:
- Azure virtual machines
- Azure storage
- Azure SQL
- Azure Virtual Desktop
- Azure Backup
- Azure Site Recovery
- Azure networking
- Microsoft Entra ID
- Azure Firewall
- hybrid cloud
- cloud-native applications
- platform services
- monitoring and security tools
Azure migration is not just a technical copy-and-paste exercise – rather, it should be a planned project that checks whether each workload is suitable for Azure, what it will cost, how it will be secured and how it will be supported after migration.
Azure migration services vs Azure managed services
| Feature |
Azure migration services |
Azure managed services |
| Main intent |
Move to Azure |
Run and support Azure |
| Buyer question |
“How do we migrate to Azure?” |
“Who will manage Azure for us?” |
| Contract type |
Project-based |
Monthly service |
| Timing |
Before and during migration |
After Azure is live |
| Includes |
Assessment, planning, migration, testing, cutover |
Monitoring, support, backup, cost control, security
|
| Pricing |
Fixed project, day rate or bespoke |
Monthly retainer plus Azure usage |
| Best CTA |
Compare Azure Migration Quotes |
Compare Azure Managed Service Quotes |
Who needs Azure migration services?
Azure migration services can be useful if:
- your servers are ageing
- your data centre contract is ending
- hardware is reaching end of life
- you want to reduce on-premise infrastructure
- you need remote working or virtual desktops
- you want better backup or disaster recovery
- you want to modernise applications
- you are already using Microsoft 365
- you want closer integration with Entra ID
- you need a hybrid cloud setup
- you are closing an office or server room
- you are acquiring or merging with another business
- your internal IT team lacks Azure skills
- you need security and governance designed properly
- you want to move from another cloud provider
- you need cost modelling before committing
What can be migrated to Azure?
| Workload |
Common Azure migration option
|
| Windows Server |
Azure virtual machines or modernised services
|
| Linux servers |
Azure virtual machines or containers
|
| SQL Server |
Azure SQL, SQL Managed Instance or VM
|
| File server |
Azure Files, SharePoint, OneDrive or VM-based option
|
| Remote desktop services |
|
| Web applications |
App Service, containers or VMs
|
| Databases |
Azure SQL, managed databases or VM-hosted databases
|
| Backup |
|
| Disaster recovery |
|
| Development environments |
Azure virtual machines or Dev/Test
|
| VMware workloads |
Azure migration route or Azure VMware Solution
|
| Legacy apps |
Rehost, refactor, replace or retain
|
| Identity |
Microsoft Entra ID and hybrid identity
|
| Network services |
Azure networking, VPN or ExpressRoute
|
Azure migration approaches
| Approach |
Meaning |
Best for |
| Rehost |
Move workload mostly as-is |
Quick migration or low-change workload |
| Replatform |
Move with some optimisation |
Databases, apps or services that can be improved
|
| Refactor |
Rebuild or redesign for cloud |
Strategic apps needing scalability |
| Replace |
Move to SaaS instead |
Email, file sharing, CRM or commodity systems
|
| Retire |
Decommission unused system |
Reducing complexity and cost |
| Retain |
Keep on-premise for now |
Legacy, compliance or latency-sensitive workloads
|
A good Azure migration project should decide the right route per workload.
Azure migration process
1. Discovery
The provider should identify to you:
- servers
- applications
- databases
- users
- devices
- storage
- dependencies
- licences
- integrations
- network links
- security controls
- backup status
- performance baseline
- business owners
This stage prevents surprises later.
2. Assessment
The provider should then check whether workloads are suitable for Azure, and this assessment should answer:
- what can move
- what should not move
- what needs modernising
- what can be retired
- what Azure services fit
- what the monthly Azure cost may be
- what migration risks exist
- what dependencies must be handled
3. Business case and cost model
Before migration, you should understand:
- project cost
- Azure monthly consumption
- licences
- support costs
- backup costs
- data transfer costs
- security costs
- connectivity costs
- savings from decommissioned hardware
- staff time
- contract exit fees
- long-term operating cost
4. Azure landing zone
A landing zone is the foundation for the Azure environment and can include:
- subscriptions
- management groups
- naming standards
- resource groups
- identity
- access controls
- networking
- security policies
- monitoring
- logging
- backup
- governance
- tagging
- budgets
- role-based access control
5. Migration planning
A migration plan should include:
- workload list
- migration priority
- migration waves
- downtime windows
- rollback plan
- testing plan
- user communication
- security checks
- networking changes
- DNS changes
- backup validation
- responsibilities
- go-live date
- support plan
For larger environments, migration is usually done in phases rather than all at once.
6. Pilot migration
A pilot migration helps test:
- migration method
- performance
- user access
- networking
- security
- backup
- monitoring
- cost assumptions
- support process
- rollback plan
7. Full migration and cutover
Cutover is the point where users start using the Azure-hosted service and this stage can involve:
- data sync
- final migration
- DNS changes
- application switch
- user testing
- access testing
- performance checks
- backup checks
- security validation
- rollback decision point
- provider support window
Plan cutover carefully, especially for line-of-business systems.
8. Post-migration optimisation
After migration, the provider should check:
- performance
- Azure costs
- security alerts
- backup status
- unused resources
- right-sizing
- user issues
- monitoring
- support tickets
- disaster recovery
- documentation
- handover
Azure migration cost guide UK
Azure migration pricing is usually project-based.
| Migration service |
|
| Initial discovery call |
|
| Azure readiness assessment |
Fixed fee or consultancy day rate
|
| Migration strategy |
|
| Azure landing zone |
|
| Small server migration |
|
| Multi-server migration |
|
| Database migration |
|
| Application migration |
|
| File server migration |
|
| Azure Virtual Desktop migration |
Per user or project-based
|
| Hybrid identity setup |
|
| Backup and disaster recovery setup |
|
| Post-migration support |
|
| Azure consumption |
Separate monthly Microsoft Azure spend
|
as a rough guide:
| Business situation |
|
| One or two simple servers |
Lower project cost plus Azure usage
|
| Small business migration |
Project fee plus monthly Azure/support
|
| 10-50 users and a few workloads |
Assessment, migration and support quote
|
| App or database migration |
Specialist project pricing
|
| Multi-site or hybrid migration |
|
| Regulated or security-heavy migration |
Higher planning, testing and governance cost
|
| Enterprise migration |
|
What affects Azure migration cost?
Azure migration cost depends on:
- number of servers
- number of applications
- number of databases
- storage volume
- data transfer
- application dependencies
- user count
- downtime tolerance
- migration method
- need for Azure landing zone
- identity setup
- security requirements
- backup requirements
- disaster recovery
- compliance needs
- testing requirements
- network connectivity
- Microsoft 365 integration
- legacy systems
- licensing
- documentation
- staff training
- post-migration support
Azure migration provider types
| Provider type |
Best for |
What to check |
| Azure migration partner |
Migration planning and execution |
Microsoft credentials and project examples |
| Azure MSP |
Migration plus ongoing support |
Support model after go-live |
| IT consultancy |
Cloud strategy and architecture |
Design quality and handover |
| Managed IT provider |
Small business cloud migration |
Wider helpdesk and user support |
| Cyber security provider |
Security-led migration |
Identity, access, logging and compliance |
| Infrastructure specialist |
Server, network and hybrid migration |
On-premise and Azure expertise |
| Microsoft Solutions Partner |
Microsoft cloud projects |
Designations and specialisations |
| Azure Expert MSP |
Complex managed Azure estates |
Validation, scale and managed service capability
|
What to look for in an Azure migration provider
Ask whether the provider has experience with:
- Azure Migrate
- Cloud Adoption Framework
- Azure landing zones
- Windows Server
- SQL Server
- application migration
- database migration
- Azure Virtual Desktop
- Entra ID
- Microsoft 365
- hybrid identity
- Azure networking
- VPN
- ExpressRoute
- backup and disaster recovery
- security monitoring
- governance
- cost optimisation
- post-migration support
Also ask for:
- migration plan
- risk register
- cost model
- project timeline
- roles and responsibilities
- rollback plan
- testing approach
- support after go-live
- documentation
- exit plan
Azure migration planning checklist
Before comparing quotes, prepare:
- list of servers
- list of applications
- list of databases
- storage volumes
- current licences
- contract end dates
- user numbers
- site locations
- internet connectivity
- VPNs and remote access
- security requirements
- backup requirements
- downtime limits
- critical systems
- integration points
- compliance requirements
- current monthly infrastructure cost
- target go-live date
- internal project owner
Remember – the more information you provide, the more realistic the quote will be.
Azure migration risks
Common risks include:
| Risk |
|
| Unknown dependencies |
Apps may break after migration
|
| Poor cost modelling |
Azure bills can exceed expectations
|
| Weak security setup |
Misconfiguration can create exposure
|
| Poor identity planning |
Users may lose access or have too much access
|
| Bad network design |
|
| No rollback plan |
Failed migration causes downtime
|
| No backup validation |
Data may not restore properly
|
| Rushed cutover |
|
| Licence issues |
Costs rise or compliance problems appear
|
| No post-migration support |
Problems continue after go-live
|
Azure migration and security
Azure migration should include security from the beginning so check:
- MFA
- conditional access
- least-privilege access
- privileged admin controls
- logging
- monitoring
- firewall rules
- network security groups
- backup protection
- vulnerability management
- encryption
- secure remote access
- endpoint protection
- identity governance
- incident response
- compliance reporting
Azure migration and Microsoft 365
Many Azure migration projects are linked to Microsoft 365 which can involve:
- Microsoft Entra ID
- identity sync
- conditional access
- Teams
- SharePoint
- OneDrive
- Exchange Online
- Microsoft Defender
- user management
- licensing
- data access
- security policies
Azure migration vs private cloud
Azure is not always the only option – you should compare Azure migration with:
| Option |
|
| Azure migration |
Microsoft cloud, scalability, modernisation and hybrid working
|
| Private cloud |
Control, predictable hosting and dedicated environments
|
| Hybrid cloud |
Keeping some systems on-premise while moving others
|
| SaaS replacement |
Replacing old apps with modern cloud software
|
| Hosted desktop provider |
Simpler remote desktop outsourcing
|
| Colocation |
Keeping owned hardware in a data centre
|
| On-premise refresh |
Retaining local infrastructure where needed
|
Azure migration timeline
A realistic migration timeline depends on scope.
| Project type |
|
| Initial assessment |
|
| Small server migration |
|
| File server migration |
A few weeks to a few months
|
| Multi-server migration |
|
| Application migration |
Months, depending on complexity
|
| Database migration |
|
| Azure Virtual Desktop rollout |
|
| Enterprise migration |
Phased programme over months or longer
|
Final verdict
Azure migration services are best for businesses that need to move systems into Microsoft Azure safely, securely and with a clear plan, so your strongest Azure migration quote should include:
- discovery
- assessment
- business case
- cost model
- migration plan
- landing zone
- security
- connectivity
- testing
- cutover
- rollback
- post-migration support
Remember that a poor migration can lead to downtime, higher Azure bills, security gaps and unhappy users.
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FAQs: Azure migration services UK
What are Azure migration services?
Azure migration services help businesses move servers, applications, databases, desktops, files or workloads into Microsoft Azure.
How much does Azure migration cost?
Azure migration costs vary depending on servers, apps, databases, storage, users, downtime limits, security, connectivity and support. Most projects need a tailored quote.
What is Azure Migrate?
Azure Migrate is Microsoft’s service for assessing, migrating and modernising workloads into Azure.
What is Microsoft Azure migration?
Microsoft Azure migration is the process of moving systems, data or workloads from on-premise infrastructure, another cloud or hosted environment into Azure.
What can be migrated to Azure?
Common workloads include Windows Server, Linux servers, SQL Server, databases, file servers, web apps, backup, disaster recovery and Azure Virtual Desktop.
How long does Azure migration take?
A simple migration may take weeks, while complex application, database or enterprise migrations can take months or longer.
Do I need an Azure landing zone?
Many businesses should use a landing zone before migrating important workloads because it helps structure identity, networking, security, governance, monitoring and subscriptions.
Is Azure migration the same as Azure managed services?
No. Azure migration is the project of moving to Azure. Azure managed services are the ongoing support and management after Azure is live.
Can an MSP help with Azure migration?
Yes. Many MSPs provide both Azure migration and ongoing Azure managed services.
Can Azure migration reduce costs?
It can, but only if workloads are assessed and optimised. A lift-and-shift migration without cost control can increase costs.
Is Azure migration safe?
It can be safe if properly planned, tested and secured. The provider should include backups, rollback, identity controls, security settings and testing.
Can old servers be moved to Azure?
Many servers can be moved, but not every old server should be migrated as-is. Some should be modernised, replaced, retired or kept on-premise.
Does Azure migration include Microsoft 365?
Sometimes. Azure projects often involve Microsoft Entra ID, identity, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive or broader Microsoft 365 integration.
What is the biggest Azure migration risk?
The biggest risks are poor dependency mapping, underestimated costs, weak security, poor connectivity and no post-migration support.
How do I compare Azure migration providers?
Compare Azure experience, Microsoft credentials, assessment process, cost modelling, migration plan, security, rollback, testing, support and total project cost.
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Hi, I’m Ally Cox, a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.
With over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems.
Before joining CompareYourBusinessCosts, I worked across various industries, gaining hands-on experience in HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology.
My goal is simple: to help UK businesses make informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.