Move to AWS Without the Guesswork, Expert Migration for Canadian Businesses
Amazon Web Services offers one of the broadest sets of cloud services available, and for businesses with variable workloads, developer teams, or specific AWS-native applications, it is often the right choice. North Star plans and executes AWS migrations for BC and AB businesses, handling everything from the initial assessment and architecture design through to cutover and post-migration optimisation.
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 IT, based in Prince George, BC, plans and executes AWS migrations for SMBs across British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon. We handle the full project, from initial workload inventory through architecture design, phased migration, and post-cutover optimisation, with a fixed scope agreed before anything moves.
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
North Star monitors the AWS environment for performance anomalies, cost spikes, and security findings for a minimum of 30 days post-cutover, with optional ongoing managed service after that.
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 IT
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.
Our migrations come with a fixed scope and a fixed fee agreed before work begins. No billing surprises during the project. Security controls are applied during the migration, not proposed as a separate upsell afterward. And we stay around after cutover, the post-migration support period is included, not billed separately.
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 straightforward SMB migration typically takes six to 16 weeks from kick-off to final cutover. Complexity, number of workloads, and application re-architecture requirements are the main variables.
What does an AWS migration cost?
Professional services for an SMB-scale AWS migration are typically $8,000 to $25,000. AWS running costs depend on instance types, storage, and data transfer volumes. North Star provides a cost estimate for both the project and the ongoing AWS spend before the engagement begins.
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.
Ready to plan your AWS migration?
Tell us about your environment and we will come back with a scoped proposal in two business days. No obligation, no pressure.
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. A simple lift and shift migration for a small business in Prince George might take a few weeks, while a full refactoring of legacy applications for a mid-market firm in Edmonton could take several months. Northstar IT provides a detailed timeline during the initial assessment to ensure your business operations face minimal disruption throughout the transition.
What are the costs for AWS cloud migration services in Canada?
Costs for AWS cloud migration services in Canada vary based on the migration strategy and the size of your environment. We offer transparent, fixed-fee options for many migration projects to help you budget effectively. By leveraging our expertise, Canadian SMBs can often reduce long-term infrastructure costs by up to 30 percent. We also help you identify AWS credits and funding programmes that may be available to offset initial migration expenses.
How does Northstar IT ensure data residency in Canada?
Data residency is a critical concern for Canadian businesses under PIPEDA and other regional regulations. During your AWS migration, we configure your environment to use AWS regions specifically located in Canada (such as Canada Central). This ensures your sensitive data stays within national borders, meeting legal requirements for businesses in BC, Alberta, and the Yukon while providing the low latency your users expect from high-performance cloud applications.
Do you offer support after the migration is finished?
Yes, Northstar IT provides comprehensive managed services following the completion of your migration. Our 24/7 helpdesk and proactive monitoring ensure your AWS environment remains secure and efficient. We focus on continuous optimisation, helping you adjust resources as your business grows in cities like Kelowna or Grande Prairie. This includes regular security audits, cost management reviews, and technical support to ensure you are getting the most value from your cloud investment.
Can you migrate legacy Microsoft workloads to AWS?
Absolutely. Northstar IT specialises in migrating legacy Windows Server and SQL Server workloads to AWS. Our team ensures that your Microsoft applications are properly licensed and optimised for the cloud. We handle the technical complexities of moving legacy systems, ensuring that your essential business tools continue to function perfectly in the new environment while benefiting from the superior reliability and security features offered by the AWS cloud platform.