Streamlining to AWS

For customers on the journey to migrate your Silverstripe Cloud Public Sector plans to cloud-based options, this blog provides insights into why we’ve chosen to consolidate to the AWS cloud and explains the advantages of our advanced hosting options available there.

Why we’re moving our on-premise service to the cloud

After over 10 years in service, our On-Prem service is showing its age. We needed to make a tough choice on whether to upgrade or replace our on-premises infrastructure with our partners at Computer Concepts Limited (CCL) or to consolidate with our existing cloud infrastructure on AWS.

After many months of research and evaluation, Silverstripe has decided to streamline our services to AWS, and earlier this year we committed to migrating our remaining CCL-hosted clients over to Silverstripe Cloud Public Sector’s cloud-based AWS-hosting option. We knew it was essential to modernise in a way that not only met our clients’ current needs but also set them up for long-term success.

Why Silverstripe made the shift to AWS

After hosting with both CCL and AWS for over 8 years, we determined that consolidating everything onto AWS would provide the simplicity and security benefits our customers need. We needed our platform to remain highly-available, secure, and to improve its top-tier experience for our clients, while also lowering costs. Going all in on AWS was the obvious choice.

Moving fully to AWS is part of our long-term strategy to enhance the services we offer. By doing so , we can focus on a single, optimised platform, allowing us to improve our service provision and redirect resources away from platform maintenance. Our cloud technology on AWS offers a modern, flexible solution that aligns with the digital needs of today's organisations.

The AWS advantage: key benefits 

AWS has a range of features that make it an excellent hosting option. If you’re looking for improved security, reliability, and cost efficiency, AWS delivers on all fronts. Here are some key benefits that our AWS-hosted services provide:

1. Enhanced security and compliance: AWS is compliant with the Aotearoa New Zealand Government’s Cloud First Policy and maintains the same high-level security certifications as CCL, including ISO 27001:2022 and Tier 1 Security and Compliance certification from DIA Marketplace. This ensures your data and operations are safe, secure, and compliant with governmental requirements.
2. Superior uptime and performance: With AWS, you get 99.9% uptime for a reliable, consistent user experience for your customers.
3. Auto-scaling for growth: AWS automatically adjusts its capacity based on your needs. This mitigates the risk of running into performance bottlenecks or capacity issues, ensuring your site remains fast and responsive even as traffic fluctuates.
4. Disaster recovery by default: AWS offers active disaster recovery out of the box, with built-in redundancy across multiple availability zones. This means there’s almost zero chance of your services going down, even in the event of an unexpected outage.
5. Reduced maintenance: AWS’s automation minimises manual maintenance, saving time and money. This cost efficiency, combined with lower manual maintenance, allows you to save money while benefiting from a more advanced platform.

If you would like a comparison of our hosting options to understand the specific differences, please email migration@silverstripe.com to request a technical info pack.

Migration made easy

Migrating from one platform to another can sound daunting, but we've made the process as smooth and seamless as possible. We’ve been transitioning clients to AWS since 2021, perfecting our approach and building on our experience. Our team designed the Silverstripe Cloud Public Sector AWS platform with flexibility and security in mind, so we have an intimate understanding of its features and capabilities.

Our migration process is built on best practices, ensuring your data, applications, and systems are transferred securely, with minimal disruption to your operations. And because we’ve completed many migrations already, we know how to navigate the intricacies of each unique client situation, helping you avoid common pitfalls along the way.

Risks of migrating too late

We’re working closely with CCL to retire Silverstripe Cloud Public Sector On-Prem plans by 30 September 2025.

When On-Prem plans are retired, all remaining websites will go offline—you won’t have access to your website or any of its functionality.

1. End of support: After 30 September 2025, Silverstripe will no longer offer “On-Prem Classic” plans hosted on CCL. If you delay migration and are still on the platform in the months leading up to this date, you’ll need to make the switch to AWS in a hurry. This could result in higher costs, rushed decisions, and a greater risk of service disruption.
2. Vulnerabilities: As On-Prem operating systems approach end-of-life, security vulnerabilities become a major concern. Without ongoing updates and support, your systems could be exposed to risks that could compromise your data and operations.
3. Extended support costs: From 1 April 2025, staying on Silverstripe's CCL platform will incur additional costs due to the need for extended support. This means you’ll be paying more to maintain a platform that’s less reliable and secure compared to AWS.

Customers on our CCL-hosted plans should plan to migrate before April 2025. To schedule your migration, or for help from Silverstripe in migrating your website(s), email migration@silverstripe.com.

Migration support

We’ve set ourselves up to give you 100% support throughout the entire migration process, guiding you or your agency through each step and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

We provide detailed information on the migration process upfront, so you know exactly what to expect. Throughout the migration, we’ll check in regularly to make sure everything is functioning as planned, and our team will be on hand to address any questions or concerns you may have.

Once you’re up and running your new cloud hosting, you’ll have access to all the documentation and resources you need to manage your new platform. And don’t worry, the Silverstripe Cloud user portal you’re familiar with will remain the same, there’s no learning curve for system users.

Our ongoing collaboration with AWS means continuous improvement

One of the many advantages of migrating to AWS is the ongoing relationship between Silverstripe and AWS. Our close collaboration means that we’re able to continuously improve the platform and provide our clients with the latest features and advancements.

By consolidating to the cloud, we’re freeing up resources that were previously tied up in maintaining our On-Prem plans. This allows us to spend more time enhancing our offering and working with a streamlined platform to bring you the best possible hosting experience.

What’s next?

With less than 6 months before extended support costs kick in on 1 April 2025, now is the time to act. Moving to AWS-hosted plans will give you peace of mind, eliminate the extra risk, and help you avoid paying for extended support. All plans hosted on CCL will fully retire on 30 September 2025, so getting your migration booked now ensures a smooth transition well before deadlines start impacting your budget and operations.

If you're ready to make the move to AWS or have any questions, we're here to help. Reach out to your account manager or email us at migration@silverstripe.com, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.