Cloud Consulting & Architecture
A cloud that fits your application, with clear running costs.
- The right provider
- Architecture plan
- Cost estimate for operation
AWS
Azure
Google Cloud
Hetzner
Cloudflare
Cloud services and operations, from migration to maintenance
ASES moves your application to the cloud, runs it reliably and looks after it long term. With our cloud services, we plan cloud solutions for your company, move existing systems and automate the delivery of new versions with DevOps. We set up your servers on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud or Hetzner and then look after them with updates, backups and monitoring.
Cloud and operations: how it works
Choose where your application stands today. The map shows your next step and what you get after each phase.
- You are here
Initial consultation and goal
- We
- We ask you to show us which applications run where, who uses them and which of them must never go down.
- You
- You describe your applications, your users and what matters to you in operation.
- At the end
- A clear picture of systems, requirements and the next step.
- You are here
Assessment and quote
- We
- We record servers, applications and their dependencies, such as interfaces, databases and scheduled tasks, plus data volumes, protection needs and the actual load. Then we recommend a provider and setup.
- You
- You answer our questions about the systems, set the priorities and review the quote.
- At the end
- A fixed-price quote with a precisely described scope.
- You are here
Setup or migration
- We
- We set up the target environment with access, permissions, backups and monitoring, plus automated testing and delivery. For a migration, we start with an application that is not business-critical. Until the switchover, you keep working with your previous system.
- You
- You try out the new environment with us and give feedback.
- At the end
- A tested environment, ready for the switchover.
- You are here
Switchover and go-live
- We
- We switch over at the agreed time and train your team in the new environment.
- You
- You set the date of the switchover with us and review the application with us afterwards.
- At the end
- Your application runs in the new environment, and your team knows its way around it.
- You are here
Operations and maintenance
- We
- We monitor the application, install updates, back up the data and help you during ongoing operation.
- You
- You tell us what your application needs next and decide on larger changes.
- At the end
- A system that stays up to date.
Your first step
We clarify with you what your applications need in the cloud and where their data should be stored. If there is a fixed date, such as the end of your hosting contract, we plan the move around it.
Enough to get started
A list of your applications and servers and, if available, your current hosting contract.
Your first step
First we look at your system with you: code, servers, access credentials and documentation. Then we assess which parts can continue to be used and plan the handover with you.
Enough to get started
The access credentials you have today and, if available, the documentation.
Your first step
We set up automated tests and a pipeline through which new versions go live, and we add monitoring. Your own team keeps working on the code and approves new versions itself.
Enough to get started
Access to your code repository and a short description of how new versions go live today.
Your first step
We look at how updates, backups and monitoring are set up today, and then take the application into our monthly support.
Enough to get started
The address of your application. Access credentials help if you are willing to share them.
The overview further down shows which part of operations lies with us.Who is responsible for what in operation
Cloud services for planning, migration and operations
We plan cloud and DevOps together: how your application is built, how new versions go live and who looks after it afterwards. Often several topics belong to one project, such as a move to the cloud followed by maintenance.
Cloud Migration
Your applications move to the cloud, documented and monitored.
- Move from your own servers
- Change of provider
- All data carried over
- AWS
- Azure
- Google Cloud
- Hetzner
Docker
DevOps & CI/CD
New versions go live in small, tested steps.
- Automated tests
- Delivery via pipeline
- Docker and Kubernetes
GitHub
GitLab- Docker
Kubernetes
Terraform
Managed Hosting & Operations
Managed servers with backups, monitoring and dedicated contacts.
- Setup and administration
- Cloudflare for fast pages
- Email and domains
- Hetzner
- Cloudflare
Grafana
Sentry
Linux
Maintenance & Support
Your software stays up to date, looked after by the team that knows it.
- Security updates
- Bug fixing and further development
- Takeover of existing software
- Sentry
- Grafana
- GitHub
WordPress
Shopware
Servers in the EU: who is responsible for what in operation
Your application runs in a cloud provider's data center. Which provider fits depends on where your data should be stored and who accesses it. Servers, backups, monitoring and updates lie with us. That way, you use a managed cloud without looking after servers yourself.
Servers in the EU, preferably in Germany
Servers in the EU, preferably in GermanyData processing agreement (DPA) under Art. 28 GDPR when we process personal data on your behalf
Provider
Responsible for
- Data center and hardware
The cloud provider runs the data center with power, cooling, network connection and hardware and provides the servers that we set up for your application.
For example
We
Responsible for
- Updates of framework, libraries and plugins
- Backups and monitoring
- Servers, operating system and network
We set up servers, operating system and network, back up your data, monitor the application and install updates, from the operating system to the plugins. If monitoring reports something, our team takes care of it.
You
Responsible for
- Your application: content, users and permissions
You are responsible for what happens in your application: content, users and permissions. Who may see and change which data is defined by a role and permission model that we agree with you.
If your own IT takes care of part of this, we define the split together.
Moving to the cloud: how we proceed
We move your applications step by step, so that your business keeps running. For every step, there is a way back.
- 01
Assessment
We record which applications run where, what they depend on and which data moves with them.
- 02
A non-critical application first
We start with an application that does not hold up your business, and use the experience for the rest.
- 03
Step by step, with a way back
Each further application moves individually. If something does not go as planned, we return to the old system.
- 04
Switchover on your date
We test large changes such as a database change in the preview beforehand. You decide when to switch over.
- 05
Sized by measured load
After the move, we measure the load and adjust the servers to it, so that you do not pay for unused capacity.
A month in operation: what we handle in the background
A sample application in an ordinary month. The entries show what we have done, what is planned and where your decision is needed.
Example · Operating a web application
Phone support around the clock. By phone, you reach the team that looks after your system, at night and on weekends too.
Backups created
DoneYour data is backed up regularly and encrypted. The backups are kept separate from the running system.
Security updates installed
DoneThe operating system and libraries have been updated. The updates went live only after passing the tests and the preview.
New version live
DoneThe automated tests had passed, and you had approved the preview. Then the version went live.
Reported bug being fixed
PlannedYour team reported a small bug to us. The fix is scheduled for the next version and appears in the preview first.
New database version
Your decisionWe test the upgrade in the preview beforehand and suggest a date to you. You decide when to switch over.
Security in operation: what we do for your data
These measures are part of operating every application we look after.
Encrypted backups
Your data is backed up in encrypted form and kept separate from the running system.
Tested updates
Security updates for the operating system and libraries go live as soon as they have passed tests and preview.
Monitoring around the clock
If monitoring reports an anomaly, even at night, our team takes care of it.
Roles and permissions
Together with you, we define who may see and change which data in a role and permission model.
Email security
With SPF, DKIM and DMARC, we make sure that recipients recognize and reject forged emails in your name.
Check your domain's email security
What does operating in the cloud cost? What the costs depend on
You know the price for your project before work begins. For consulting, setup or migration, you pay a fixed price per project; for operations, maintenance and support, a flat monthly fee. What the cloud provider charges depends on usage.
Quote
Setup or migration, one-off
Fixed-price project
- Fixed price for the precisely described scope
- If the scope changes, we adjust the quote first
- No billing by the hour
Go-live
Operations, monthly
Operations and maintenance
- Flat monthly fee for operations, maintenance and support
- Includes server operation, security updates and fixes for small bugs
- New features per work package, each with its own quote
What the scope depends on
- How many applications and systems are moved or operated
- How much data is stored and transferred
- How available the application needs to be, at night and on weekends too
- Whether test and production environments run separately
- Which requirements for data location and access apply
- Whether an existing application is adapted for the cloud
If you have a budget range, mention it in the initial consultation. We align setup and operations with it and plan further steps for later.
Running cloud costs
The cloud provider charges for computing power, storage, backups and the data that leaves its data center. On top of that come licenses for services your application uses and the flat monthly fee for operations and maintenance. We calculate these items with you in advance over several years, and they are stated in the quote. Because you pay by usage in the cloud, we measure the load before we set the server size, and after a migration we adjust it to the measured load.
What you own: accounts, access credentials and documentation
After full payment, we hand over everything you need to run your systems yourself or pass them on to another team. This also applies if we continue to run them afterwards.
- Code
- The source code developed for you
- Git repository with the complete change history
- Access
- Servers and hosting
- Domains
- Accounts for all services
- Documentation
- Technical documentation
- Rights
- Rights of use
Your cloud accounts are in your name from the start.
We write code and documentation so that a new team can also find its way around. You decide who looks after your systems in the future.
Cloud providers and tools we work with
We choose providers and tools according to your application, your data and what operations cost on an ongoing basis, and we give the reason for each choice in the quote.
Cloud and hosting
Data centers and servers for your application, with Cloudflare in front for fast pages.
Code and delivery
Code in GitHub or GitLab, every change traceable. Docker and Kubernetes, so that applications run the same on every server.
Monitoring
Availability, errors and load during ongoing operation.
Servers and configuration
Linux servers, web servers and the tools we set them up with.
- AWS
- Azure
- Google Cloud
- Hetzner
- Cloudflare
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Docker
- Kubernetes
- Prometheus
- Grafana
- Sentry
- Terraform
- Ansible
- Linux
- NGINX
ASES in numbers
- 1 teamOur own team, no subcontractors
- 15+More than 15 years of experience on the team
- 35+Companies in more than 35 countries work with us
- 10Conversations in ten languages
Frequently asked questions about cloud and operations
Answers on costs, data location, migration, backups and operating your application.
That depends on how many applications run, how much data accumulates and how available the application needs to be. We offer consulting, setup or migration at a fixed price, operations, maintenance and support as a flat monthly fee, and new work per work package. The cloud provider bills by usage. We calculate these costs in advance over several years, and they are stated in the quote.
On servers in the EU, preferably in Germany. If we process personal data on your behalf, we conclude a DPA under Art. 28 GDPR. A role and permission model defines who may access which data and functions. We encrypt data in transit and at rest.
That is decided by your load, your data requirements and the question of who takes care of operations. The cloud pays off above all when usage fluctuates or grows quickly. With an even load, your own server can be cheaper. We operate both, including in combination as a hybrid solution, and calculate both paths with you over several years before you decide.
AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and Hetzner, with Cloudflare in front. Which provider fits depends on where your data should be stored and who accesses it. If strict rules apply to your data (sovereign cloud), we first establish which requirements for data location and access actually apply, and choose the provider accordingly.
We plan the move so that you keep working with the previous system until the switchover. First we record applications and their dependencies. Then we move in steps, starting with an application that is not business-critical. For every step, there is a way back to the previous system. We set the time of the switchover with you.
Not necessarily. We decide per application whether it moves unchanged (rehost, lift and shift), is adapted to the platform (replatform) or is rebuilt (refactor). It often makes sense to move first and then modernize the application step by step.
For a single website or application, a simpler setup with Docker is often enough. Kubernetes pays off when many services are delivered independently of one another and grow with usage. We recommend the setup your operation actually needs, because every additional layer also has to be maintained.
Regularly and encrypted. The backups are kept separate from the running system, so not on the server your application runs on. We decide with you how often to back up, depending on how often your data changes. The cloud provider charges for backup storage by usage, and the costs are stated in the quote.
The team that looks after your system. Monitoring reports anomalies to our team at night as well. You can reach us by phone around the clock, weekends included. We can help fastest if you briefly tell us which application is affected, what you observe, since when it has been happening and, if there is one, what the error message says.
We operate the servers, install updates to the operating system, libraries and plugins, including the security updates, back up your data, monitor the application, fix small bugs and help during ongoing operation. For this, you pay a flat monthly fee. We offer new features per work package. This also applies to websites and shops we look after.
Yes. After full payment, you receive the source code developed for you with the Git repository and technical documentation, the access credentials for servers, domains and all services and the rights of use. Applications that run in containers can be moved to another provider or team if it is worthwhile for you.
Yes. First we look at the code, servers, access credentials and documentation with you and assess which parts can continue to be used. After that, we look after the application with updates and monitoring, or we decide with you whether to modernize or replace it.
More on cloud and operations
- Software DevelopmentYou get software that maps your processes, and the source code with it.
- APIs & IntegrationOrders, customer data and stock levels flow between your systems without anyone typing them in.
- IT Consulting & StrategyYou know which technology suits your project before you invest in development.
- Website CheckChecks your website's load time, SEO, accessibility, security and privacy, for free and in under a minute.Email Security CheckChecks your domain's SPF, DKIM and DMARC for free and shows whether someone can send forged emails in your name.
Let's talk about your cloud
Tell us which applications you run and where they run today. We will get back to you as soon as possible and find a date for the initial consultation with you.
- Free initial consultation
- No obligation
- NDA on request