{"id":8651,"date":"2020-10-05T13:26:06","date_gmt":"2020-10-05T17:26:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=8651"},"modified":"2026-02-12T05:00:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:00:17","slug":"hr-on-premises-to-cloud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hr-on-premises-to-cloud\/","title":{"rendered":"5 essential steps to move from on-premises to cloud HR"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/category\/people-leadership\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">People &amp; Leadership<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t5 essential steps to move from on-premises to cloud HR\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2020-10-05T13:26:06-04:00\">October 5, 2020<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"5 essential steps to move from on-premises to cloud HR\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hr-on-premises-to-cloud\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/author\/jessicafuhl\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/10\/Jess-fuhl.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" height=\"40\" width=\"40\" fetchpriority=\"high\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Jessica Leyshon<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The days of depending on clunky on-premises software solutions are over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With so many cloud-based options available for managing HR processes, the case for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/6-signs-to-invest-cloud-hr\/\">migrating<\/a> to the cloud is stronger than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cloud spending is growing at almost <a href=\"https:\/\/www.srgresearch.com\/articles\/cloud-service-spending-still-growing-almost-40-year-half-it-won-amazon-microsoft\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">40% per year<\/a>, and there\u2019s no end in sight for this year-on-year growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This reflects the rapid shift from on-premises to cloud solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.trustradius.com\/buyer-blog\/10-ways-cloud-hr-software-is-changing-the-way-hr-works\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">over half<\/a> of HR and People teams have moved at least one HR process to cloud. Companies which haven\u2019t switched yet are falling behind the curve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-cloud\">Why cloud?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest difference between cloud HR and on-premises is how they\u2019re implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/sage-business-cloud\/people\/\">Cloud software solutions<\/a> are accessed via a web browser of choice, instead of having it installed and maintained through company hard drives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your chosen cloud HR provider manages access to the application, which includes regular updates and improvements to performance, maintenance and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cloud\u2019s revolutionizing the traditional HR function, freeing HR and People teams from laborious admin, enabling them to become people-focused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A modern <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/sage-business-cloud\/people\/\">global cloud HR and People system<\/a> enables companies to design better workforce experiences for employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s secure, flexible, and can be used across the world, as well as on mobile and on-demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cloud HR technology means reports can be generated at the touch of a button. Automation eliminates the likelihood of human error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of all, the best technology frees up HR and People leaders\u2019 time to concentrate on what\u2019s important \u2013 delivering great workforce experiences for their people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-getting-started\">Getting started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For those who haven\u2019t made the swap yet, the transition is far easier than many HR and People leaders expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter which cloud-based solution you decide is right for your organization, there are some essential steps you must follow if you are to successfully make this significant change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibm.com\/blogs\/cloud-computing\/2019\/04\/29\/cloud-migration-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">IBM recommends five essential steps<\/a> to every organization undergoing a cloud migration. Here are the stages adapted to apply specifically to HR and People teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-determine-a-cloud-strategy\">1. Determine a cloud strategy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this stage, you must set out the key performance indicators (KPIs) that you will look to achieve through a cloud migration. Knowing these indicators will help you to determine if your integration has been successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some KPIs you may want to consider are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Can data be fully stored without the need for a physical server on the premises?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is your People data stored securely? Is the organization protected from cyber-attacks?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is it quick to upload and download, access and change employee data?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is it easier for employees to access, change and remove their own data?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is your cloud storage system compliant with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/gdpr\/\">GDPR<\/a>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It will be useful during this initial stage to appoint a project overseer. This person will be responsible for giving sign-off to each stage as it is completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a small company, this should ideally be the HR and People leader. But in a large organization, you may wish to appoint someone who specializes in technology, such as the chief technology officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-determine-what-you-need-to-migrate\">2. Determine what you need to migrate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not always possible or advisable to lift and shift your on-premises HR applications and processes into the cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, not all your current HR applications will need to be migrated. So, it\u2019s important to determine ahead of time which systems will move and which will not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a business and HR function, you\u2019ll need to collectively think about the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Why is there a need to migrate a HR service to the cloud?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What cloud HR solutions are available?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do we manage HR processes and services in the cloud environment?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The best starting point to explore these questions is to complete an analysis of your current HR systems and applications. This can help determine what makes sense to migrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-create-a-data-migration-roadmap\">3. Create a data migration roadmap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is perhaps the most essential planning stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By developing a well-planned roadmap before starting the migration process, you can ensure key milestones are achieved while foreseeable roadblocks are avoided during the migration process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure every dataset is considered from this point of view. What needs to be moved? What needs to be changed? What needs to stay the same? What could go wrong? How will you know when you\u2019ve been successful?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-secure-a-cloud-provider\">4. Secure a cloud provider<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you know what needs to be migrated, it\u2019s time to choose a provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First and foremost, you will want to choose a cloud provider who has plenty of experience managing cloud migrations for companies of a similar size to yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If they have specific experience migrating data for HR and People purposes, all the better. Ask to see each providers\u2019 case studies and ask how many projects they have managed before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should also look to make sure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They are able to provide a close level of support during the migration process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are able to break down and explain any complexities and offer you a suitable level of control even as the project moves forward<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>That they offer tools to make the process easier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, if you\u2019re migrating from an old system that uses out-of-date technology, you\u2019ll need to find a supplier who has expertise in that system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-get-started\">5. Get started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The final \u2013 and of course, the scariest step, is to start the project. Be sure to keep a watchful eye on the strategy you devised in stage one and tick off items on a checklist as you complete them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t forget to run tests on each application as it\u2019s migrated to the cloud before switching over your on-premises traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is also a good opportunity to start working out a communications strategy, to help employees in your company hit the ground running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, different departments will want different things from your new HR system, so you may look to communicate with each department individually to help them get the most out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-summary-your-do-s-and-don-ts-for-migrating-to-cloud\">Summary: Your do\u2019s and don\u2019ts for migrating to cloud<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-do-build-out-functionality-gradually\">Do build out functionality gradually<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Trying to do too much too soon adds unnecessary risk to a project and often impacts adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A phased deployment will allow you to get early value, while ensuring a smooth user journey for employees and your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-do-prime-the-organization\">Do prime the organization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure that you have a communications plan ready early. One of the main success criteria for any HR software pilot is adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upfront communication is very powerful&nbsp;and not to be underestimated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-do-know-your-stakeholders\">Do know your stakeholders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even as you begin to think about new HR technology, identify the teams for, firstly, the selection process; secondly, the implementation phase; and thirdly, business as usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Different people will have different roles. Identify them early to avoid complications and confusion later down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-do-know-your-data\">Do know your data<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before even speaking with providers ahead of starting a pilot, start to look at your data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be clear about what you currently have, what gaps there are, whether the data is clean, and what you want it to do for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-don-t-rush-an-implementation-or-pilot\">Don\u2019t rush an implementation or pilot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure the team have the time to make it successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a significant investment, and your internal project team must be able to dedicate adequate time for requirements setting and testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-don-t-start-a-pilot-without-clear-roles-and-responsibilities\">Don\u2019t start a pilot without clear roles and responsibilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Play to everyone\u2019s strengths, and make sure everyone is clear what\u2019s expected and what\u2019s not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-don-t-let-your-imagination-be-constrained\">Don\u2019t let your imagination be constrained<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let your technology be its best self. Be open to changing some of your processes to take advantage of what the new technology has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Reimagine your HR process<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When your people perform at their best, so does your business. Download our free guide to discover how you can transform your small business workforce.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-862070cb-71e9-4e95-9bd8-ddaafdadab39\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1314039604-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"2 women discussing at work\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1314039604-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to our Sage Advice Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get our latest business advice delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-ab515c6e-7e90-4c2f-a67e-113872516e8b\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Working from home with tea in hand\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before you begin the transition from on-premise to cloud HR, make sure you know these five essential steps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1118,"featured_media":4076,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47,48],"tags":[346,17,166],"business_type":[41],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[411,204],"persona":[99],"imagine_tag":[],"coauthors":[734],"class_list":["post-8651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-leadership","category-technology-innovation","tag-cloud-technology","tag-hr-payroll","tag-hr-software","business_type-growing-business","industry-human-resources","industry-technology"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-us","author_name":"Jessica Leyshon","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/04\/digitaltransformation.jpg","imagine_tags":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice US","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1118"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8651"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35069,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8651\/revisions\/35069"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/4076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8651"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=8651"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=8651"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=8651"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=8651"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=8651"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=8651"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=8651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}