AEM On-Prem vs. Cloud Service: A Strategic Migration Guide
In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital experience management, Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) remains the gold standard. However, the shift from traditional AEM On-Premise to AEM as a Cloud Service (AEMaaCS) represents more than just a platform upgrade—it is a fundamental change in how businesses deliver content.
At Associative, a software development firm headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, India, we specialize in navigating these complex digital transformations. As an official Adobe Bronze Solution Partner, we possess the certified expertise to guide your organization through this critical migration, ensuring you unlock the full potential of cloud agility.
AEM On-Prem vs. Cloud Service: Understanding the Shift
Before initiating a migration, it is vital to understand the architectural differences between the two models.
1. Infrastructure and Scalability
- On-Prem/Managed Services: You are responsible for sizing the hardware. Scaling requires manual intervention, predicting traffic spikes, and provisioning new servers, which can be slow and costly.
- AEM Cloud Service: This architecture is always on and auto-scaling. It utilizes a container-based architecture (Kubernetes) that automatically spins up or down based on real-time traffic, ensuring zero downtime and optimal performance.
2. Updates and Maintenance
- On-Prem/Managed Services: Upgrades are major projects (e.g., migrating from AEM 6.5 to a newer version) that often require months of planning, code freezing, and regression testing.
- AEM Cloud Service: You are always on the latest version. Adobe pushes updates daily or monthly, ensuring your security and feature sets are current without the need for massive upgrade cycles.
3. Performance and CDN
- On-Prem/Managed Services: Configuring a Content Delivery Network (CDN) and dispatcher caching requires manual setup and maintenance.
- AEM Cloud Service: A globally distributed CDN is built-in by default, optimizing content delivery to the edge without complex configuration.
The Migration Guide: Key Phases
Migrating to the cloud is not a simple "lift and shift" operation; it requires refactoring and strategic planning.
Phase 1: Readiness Assessment Using tools like the Best Practices Analyzer (BPA), we assess your current implementation to identify code and content that is incompatible with the cloud environment.
Phase 2: Code Refactoring AEM Cloud Service enforces a strict separation of immutable code (releases) and mutable content. Our team updates your codebase to align with modern standards:
- Refactoring OSGi configurations.
- Updating Maven project structures.
- Replacing deprecated APIs with cloud-native alternatives (e.g., Asset Compute Service).
Phase 3: Content Transfer We utilize the Content Transfer Tool (CTT) to move your existing content repository to the cloud instance securely, ensuring data integrity for assets and pages.
Phase 4: Testing and Go-Live Rigorous testing is conducted to ensure functional parity. Once validated, the switch is flipped to the live cloud environment.
Why Choose Associative for Your AEM Migration?
Established in 2021, Associative is built on a foundation of unyielding transparency and technical excellence. Here is why we are the right partner for your journey to the cloud:
- Adobe Accredited Expertise: As an Adobe Bronze Solution Partner, we have direct access to Adobe resources and verified proficiency in the ecosystem.
- Comprehensive CMS Mastery: Beyond AEM, we have deep experience in Headless CMS and enterprise systems, allowing us to integrate AEM seamlessly with your broader tech stack.
- Full-Stack Capability: Our team excels in the technologies that power AEM, including Java (OSGi, Sling), HTL, and frontend frameworks like React and Angular for Single Page Application (SPA) Editor implementations.
- Transparent & Flexible Engagement: We operate strictly on a time-and-materials basis with daily or weekly invoicing. You only pay for the work performed, with no hidden costs.
- 100% IP Ownership: We do not retain rights to your work. Upon project completion, you receive full ownership of the source code and intellectual property.
About Associative
Associative is a registered IT firm (Registrar of Firms, Pune) dedicated to transforming visionary ideas into scalable digital realities. Our mission is to guide businesses through the complexities of the digital landscape with honesty and a client-centric approach.
In addition to AEM services, we offer a comprehensive portfolio including:
- Cloud Gaming & CMS Solutions (Strapi, WordPress, Drupal, Magento).
- Mobile App Development (Native iOS/Android, Flutter, React Native).
- AI & Machine Learning (Generative AI, LLMs, Computer Vision).
- Blockchain & Web3 (Smart Contracts, DeFi, NFTs).
- Game Development, AR & VR (Unreal Engine 5, Unity).
- Cloud & DevOps (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Docker, Kubernetes).
Start Your Migration Journey
Don't let legacy infrastructure hold you back. Partner with Associative to modernize your digital experience platform.
Contact Information
- Address: Khandve Complex, Yojana Nagar, Lohegaon - Wagholi Road, Lohegaon, Pune, Maharashtra, India – 411047
- Phone/WhatsApp: +91 9028850524
- Email: info@associative.in
- Website:https://associative.in
- Office Hours: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Monday through Saturday)
Harendra Yadav
