Move to AWS Without the Guesswork, Expert Migration for Canadian Businesses
Amazon Web Services offers a broad set of cloud services, and it may fit businesses with variable workloads, developer teams or AWS-native applications. North Star scopes AWS migration work for BC and AB businesses from assessment and architecture through cutover and post-migration review; the selected approach depends on workload fit and the written scope.
Amazon Web Services is one of the most capable cloud platforms available, and for businesses with variable workloads, developer teams, or applications built to run on AWS-native services, it is often the right choice. But a migration done without a clear plan tends to produce unexpected costs, performance problems, and configurations that nobody fully understands six months later.
North Star, based in Prince George, BC, plans and executes AWS migrations for SMBs across British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon. We handle the project from workload inventory through architecture design, phased migration and post-cutover review, with scope agreed before anything moves. Remote service is available across Canada; physical work is scoped from Grande Prairie and Prince George.
What is involved in an AWS migration?
An AWS migration is not simply copying files to a different server. It begins with a detailed inventory of your current environment: every server, application, data store, integration, and dependency catalogued before a target design is drawn. From there, we assess each workload against the standard migration strategies, lift-and-shift (rehost), replatform, or re-architect, and document which path makes sense and why.
The target-state design covers EC2 instance sizing, VPC networking and subnetting, IAM roles and least-privilege policies, storage configuration across S3, EFS, and RDS, and backup using AWS Backup. Security is not an afterthought: AWS Security Hub, GuardDuty, and CloudTrail are configured as part of the migration, not added later.
Cost governance is built in from day one. North Star configures AWS Cost Explorer, sets billing alerts by service and team, and reviews your usage monthly in the first quarter after migration to catch wasteful spending before it compounds.
What North Star Delivers
Assessment
A workload inventory and AWS readiness review before a dollar is committed. We document every application, its dependencies, performance requirements, and data volumes. Some workloads move as-is; others need preparation first. You receive a written report that tells you which is which and why, so there are no migration-day surprises.
Architecture Design
A documented target-state design covering VPC, IAM, compute, storage, and networking. You see and approve the design before anything is provisioned. Instance sizing is based on actual utilisation data, not guesswork.
Migration Execution
Phased migration with parallel running where feasible and documented rollback procedures for every step. Critical workloads migrate last, after lower-risk workloads have proven the process. Cutover windows are agreed and communicated to your team in advance.
Security Configuration
AWS Security Hub, GuardDuty, CloudTrail, and IAM least-privilege configured during the migration. Findings reviewed and remediated before handoff. You do not need a separate security engagement after the migration completes.
Cost Governance
AWS Cost Explorer, budget alerts, and resource tagging configured from day one. Monthly cost review in the first quarter post-migration. Right-sizing recommendations delivered as part of ongoing managed service.
Post-Migration Support
Post-cutover monitoring for performance, cost and security findings can be included when specified. The duration, tools, access, response targets and handoff responsibilities follow the written agreement; ongoing managed service is a separate scope unless included.
How It Works
Step 1, Discover
We inventory your current environment: servers, applications, data volumes, dependencies, and network configuration. Surprises get found here, not on cutover day.
Step 2, Design
Target AWS architecture documented and reviewed with you. Migration plan produced with sequenced workloads, rollback procedures, and a defined cutover schedule.
Step 3, Migrate
Phased migration with parallel running where possible. Critical findings during testing are resolved before production cutover. Every step is documented.
Step 4, Optimise
Post-migration cost and performance review. Right-sizing adjustments, reserved instance analysis, and security findings remediated. Transition to ongoing managed service or handoff with full documentation.
Who This Is For
- BC, Alberta, or Yukon businesses running workloads on ageing on-premises hardware facing a refresh decision
- Development teams with AWS-native applications that need a properly configured landing zone
- Businesses already in AWS that inherited an environment without proper security, cost controls, or documentation
- Organisations evaluating AWS versus Azure and wanting an objective workload assessment before committing
Why North Star
North Star is headquartered in Prince George, BC, and serves SMBs across Northern BC, the rest of British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon. We are not a national reseller with a call centre, we are a local IT team with the technical depth to execute cloud projects properly.
Migration scope and project fees are documented before work begins. The written agreement identifies included security configuration, exclusions, change control and any post-cutover support period; ongoing support, tools and cloud charges are separate unless explicitly included.
What buyers ask before they sign.
How is AWS different from Azure and which should we choose?
Azure is often the better fit for businesses already using Microsoft 365, Active Directory, and Windows workloads - the integration is tighter. AWS offers broader services and is often preferred by businesses with developer teams, containerised applications, or specific AWS-native requirements. North Star can help you evaluate both options objectively.
How long does an AWS migration take?
A multi-week migration window may fit some straightforward SMB environments, but actual timing depends on workload count, complexity, access, dependencies, application re-architecture, testing and the approved cutover plan.
What does an AWS migration cost?
Professional services for an SMB-scale AWS migration may fall within a published $8,000 to $25,000 planning range, subject to scope. AWS running costs depend on instance types, storage, data transfer, licensing and usage; validate both project fees and ongoing spend in the written estimate.
Can we use AWS for disaster recovery only, without moving all workloads?
Yes. AWS is well suited to disaster recovery scenarios where your primary systems remain on-premises but replicate to AWS for recovery. North Star designs these hybrid architectures and tests recovery regularly.
Does North Star manage AWS environments after migration?
Yes. North Star offers AWS managed services including monitoring, patching, backup management, security alerting, and monthly cost reviews. This is a separate retainer from the migration project.
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Start Your Free Assessment Back to CloudFrequently asked questions
How long do typical AWS migrations Canada take to complete?
The duration of AWS migrations Canada depends on the complexity and volume of your data. Some lift-and-shift projects may take weeks, while refactoring or complex dependency work may take longer. Actual timing depends on workload count, data, access, dependencies, testing, vendor support and the approved plan; assess the change window rather than guaranteeing minimal disruption.
What are the costs for AWS cloud migration services in Canada?
AWS migration fees depend on strategy, workload count, access, dependencies and required testing. A written estimate can separate North Star project fees, AWS consumption, licensing, connectivity and optional support; lower long-term infrastructure cost, credits and funding are not automatic and should be confirmed for the specific account.
How does North Star ensure data residency in Canada?
Data-location requirements are reviewed per workload, selected AWS service, region, account configuration, contract and applicable obligations. Canadian regions may be appropriate for some workloads, but location and provider commitments must be confirmed and documented; a region choice does not by itself establish compliance or a particular latency outcome.
Do you offer support after the migration is finished?
Post-migration AWS support can be scoped for monitoring, maintenance, security findings, cost review and technical assistance. Coverage, tools, response targets, locations and responsibilities depend on the written agreement; Managed Helpdesk coverage and a particular security, efficiency or value outcome are not automatic.
Can you migrate legacy Microsoft workloads to AWS?
Legacy Windows Server and SQL Server workloads can be assessed for AWS compatibility, licensing, dependencies, testing and an appropriate migration method. The project can address configuration and optimisation within the approved scope, but continued application function, reliability, security and licensing outcomes depend on the workload, vendors and validated design.