Migrating to the cloud is a transformative move for any organization. It’s not just about shifting infrastructure—it’s about unlocking scalability, driving innovation, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market. One of the most important decisions in this journey is choosing the right cloud service provider (CSP). For many businesses, Amazon Web Services (AWS) stands out as a top contender. Its reputation, extensive service offerings, and proven performance make it a compelling choice. At VAST, we’ve seen firsthand how AWS empowers our clients to achieve their cloud goals—and we’re proud to be an AWS Partner. One of the most powerful tools AWS offers to support cloud migration is the Migration Acceleration Program (MAP). In this post, we’ll break down what MAP is, how it works, and how VAST can help you make the most of it.
What is the VAST Migration Acceleration Program?
Leveraging AWS services, VAST MAP is a structured, three-phase program designed to help organizations migrate to the cloud quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. It provides financial incentives, expert guidance, and proven methodologies to reduce the complexity and cost of migration. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, MAP offers tailored support to meet your needs.
MAP Lite vs. MAP 2.0: Which One Fits Your Business?
AWS categorizes MAP support based on your projected annual AWS workload revenue:
MAP Lite – For Small to Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs)
Revenue Range: $100,000–$500,000 annually Benefits include:
- Expert assistance with assessment and planning
- Architecture validation
- Cost offsets for training, parallel environments, and AWS usage
MAP Lite streamlines the funding request process and gives SMBs access to migration tools, best practices, and AWS experts.
MAP 2.0 – For Large Enterprises
Revenue Range: Over $500,000 annually Benefits include:
- Comprehensive support for assessment, mobilization, and migration
- Substantial funding incentives
- Guidance on modernization and cost optimization
MAP 2.0 encourages best practices like refactoring applications and adopting managed services to maximize cloud benefits. Note: Participation in MAP is free, and there’s no obligation to migrate after the assessment. Funding terms may change, so it’s best to consult with a Certified AWS Partner like VAST.
Source: AWS
The Three Phases of VAST MAP
1. Assess
Source: AWS
This phase lays the foundation for your migration. You’ll:
- Evaluate cloud readiness
- Review your current workloads
- Align stakeholders
Using the AWS Migration Readiness Assessment, you’ll identify strengths, weaknesses, and create an action plan. VAST helps ensure accurate asset tagging—a key step for tracking resources and qualifying for migration credits.
2. Mobilize
Here, you address gaps identified in the assessment. You’ll:
- Set up your AWS landing zone
- Develop a security model
- Prepare teams for migration
This phase is critical for building momentum and ensuring a smooth transition. You can still exit the program at this stage without incurring costs.
3. Migrate and Modernize
Now it’s time to execute. You’ll:
- Establish repeatable migration processes (a “migration factory”)
- Begin implementation
- Modernize your infrastructure
Migration typically takes 8–24 weeks, and AWS releases funding 2–4 weeks after milestone sign-off.
Why Choose VAST for Your AWS Migration?
At VAST, we don’t just migrate your environment—we help you modernize it. Our AWS-certified experts guide you through every step, ensuring you unlock the full potential of cloud technologies. We’ll help you explore AI-powered AWS services that boost innovation and keep you ahead of market trends. AWS makes advanced technologies accessible to businesses of all sizes—and VAST ensures you’re ready to take advantage.
Ready to Migrate? Let’s Talk.
Whether you’re just exploring cloud options or ready to start your migration, VAST is here to help. Our team will work with you to build a seamless, efficient, and future-ready cloud strategy. Contact us today to learn how VAST MAP can accelerate your cloud journey or schedule a demo today.
