elcome to Associative. We are a software development firm headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, India, dedicated to transforming visionary ideas into scalable digital realities. Established in 2021, our mission is to guide businesses through the complexities of the digital landscape with unyielding transparency and technical excellence.

As an Adobe Bronze Solution Partner, we understand that one of the most critical decisions facing enterprises today is the transition from legacy infrastructure to modern, scalable cloud solutions. This guide explores the critical differences between AEM On-Prem vs. Cloud Service and outlines a strategic migration path for your business.

Understanding the Shift: On-Premise vs. Cloud Service

For years, Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) On-Premise (or Managed Services) has been the standard for enterprises requiring absolute control over their infrastructure. However, the digital ecosystem has evolved.

AEM On-Premise / Managed Services

  • Control: Full access to the server environment and custom configurations.

  • Maintenance: Requires significant internal resources for upgrades, security patches, and scaling.

  • Version Cycles: Upgrades are often annual or bi-annual, requiring lengthy “code freeze” periods and complex regression testing.

AEM as a Cloud Service (AEMaaCS)

  • Cloud-Native Agility: Built on a containerized architecture that auto-scales based on traffic.

  • Always On: Updates are pushed automatically and frequently. You are always on the latest version, eliminating the concept of “upgrade projects.”

  • Security: Adobe manages security at the infrastructure level, ensuring industry-standard compliance.

The Migration Roadmap: A Strategic Approach

Migrating to the cloud is not just a “lift and shift” operation; it is a refactoring of your digital foundation. At Associative, we break down the AEM On-Prem vs. Cloud Service: Migration Guide into four distinct phases:

1. Assessment & Readiness

Before writing a single line of code, we evaluate your current implementation. This involves running the Best Practices Analyzer (BPA) to identify deprecated features, custom code incompatibilities, and technical debt.

2. Planning & Refactoring

AEM Cloud Service requires specific code structures.

  • Code Refactoring: We update legacy Java code (moving to modern Java standards) and ensure compatibility with the cloud-native pipeline.

  • Asset Asset Compute: We transition workflows to the new Asset Compute Service, which offloads heavy processing from the author instance.

  • Dispatcher Configuration: We convert legacy dispatcher configurations to the new immutable structure required by AEMaaCS.

3. Execution & Data Migration

Using Adobe’s Cloud Acceleration Manager (CAM) and content transfer tools, we migrate content, users, and groups. Our team ensures that data integrity is maintained throughout the transfer from your on-premise servers to the cloud environments.

4. Go-Live & Post-Launch Support

We manage the DNS cutover and smoke testing. Associative provides a 7-day complimentary post-launch support period to ensure your new cloud environment is stable and performing optimally.

Why Choose Associative for Your Migration?

We are not just developers; we are strategic partners. Here is why Associative is uniquely positioned to handle your AEM migration:

Official Accreditation

We are an Adobe Bronze Solution Partner. This accreditation validates our technical expertise and direct access to Adobe’s ecosystem, ensuring your migration follows the highest industry standards.

Deep Technical Expertise

Migration requires more than just AEM knowledge; it requires a full-stack understanding.

  • Backend Mastery: Our team is proficient in Java (Spring Boot, Jakarta EE), essential for heavy backend refactoring in AEM.

  • Cloud & DevOps: We are experts in AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, utilizing Docker and Kubernetes/Jenkins pipelines to manage complex deployments.

  • Frontend Precision: We ensure your frontend (React, Angular, or Headless implementations) remains seamless during the backend transition.

Transparent & Flexible Engagement

We operate with a philosophy of absolute honesty.

  • No Fixed Bids: We acknowledge that complex migrations have dynamic needs. We provide general estimates (e.g., minimum 1000 hours for complex custom software) but operate strictly on a Time-and-Materials basis.

  • Daily Invoicing: You pay only for the work performed. We submit invoices daily, weekly, or on a milestone basis to keep you in control of the budget.

  • IP Ownership: Upon completion and final payment, you receive 100% ownership of all source code and intellectual property. We do not retain rights, and we do not use your project in our public portfolio.

Beyond AEM: Comprehensive Digital Innovation

While we specialize in AEM, our capabilities extend across the entire digital spectrum:

  • Headless CMS: Partners with Strapi and experts in Contentful and Sanity.

  • AI & Machine Learning: From core Python ML ecosystems to our flagship R&D project, NexusReal, which bridges digital intelligence and physical reality using AI Avatars and Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs).

  • Enterprise Solutions: Customization of Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and Odoo.

Contact Us

Ready to modernize your digital infrastructure? Let’s discuss your AEM migration strategy.

Associative

  • 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 – Saturday)

 

AEM On-Prem vs. Cloud Service: Migration Guide