If you’re still sitting on the fence about moving to the cloud or waiting for the perfect time to start migrating, 2026 marks a tipping point. With rising infrastructure costs and remote work becoming the standard for staying competitive, relying on on-premise networks is no longer sufficient. Refusing to migrate to the cloud means you’re missing out on the massive efficiency gains your competitors are already leveraging.
From flexible pricing models to improved performance and security, today’s cloud ecosystem makes modernization more accessible than ever. Add in new migration incentives like Microsoft’s Bridge to the Cloud program, and 2026 just might be your best opportunity yet to migrate to the cloud swiftly and affordably. Here’s why:
Companies that haven’t migrated are falling behind
Businesses that delay cloud adoption often do so out of habit, not strategy. Legacy systems demand constant maintenance, hardware refresh cycles, and manual updates, but making the big change just seems too daunting. Time and money wasted on old-fashioned systems could be reinvested into growth, customer experience, or cybersecurity improvements.
As the gulf in capabilities between on-premise and cloud-powered networks widens, those companies that haven’t migrated fall behind. Technology vendors are also increasingly focusing on cloud products while abandoning support for offline versions.
Compared to cloud-enabled businesses, those that haven’t migrated typically experience:
- Increased time investment and overhead costs for IT maintenance
- Greater cybersecurity risk and higher security costs
- Reduced agility, flexibility, and scalability
- More difficult and less reliable data backup and business continuity systems
- Higher IT acquisition costs
- Less collaborative and productive employees
On-premises IT networks have their place, but the cloud is the new normal, and you simply can’t afford to lag behind if you want to stay competitive.
There are cloud models for every need
You might be wary of making the switch because you’ve heard the myth that cloud migration is an all-or-nothing move. The truth is that in 2026, there is more deployment flexibility than ever.
The public cloud option is the most affordable option with the simplest migration requirements, but it’s not the only option you have.
Hybrid and private cloud models
A hybrid cloud model allows you to keep certain workloads on-premise while moving others to the cloud, ideal if your business has compliance requirements or specialized applications. This option allows you to “have your cake and eat it too” when it comes to your office network.
Private cloud options provide higher control and customization for sensitive workloads. Instead of migrating to a public cloud provider, you make your own cloud environment that you can control completely.
Microsoft’s Bridge to the Cloud program simplifies migration
One of the strongest reasons to move in 2026 is Microsoft’s Bridge to the Cloud (BTC) 3 program, the successor to the popular BTC 1 and 2 programs. This initiative, running from January 1st to December 31st, is designed to help businesses like yours to transition from legacy on-premise Microsoft Dynamics environments to cloud-based Dynamics 365 platforms with reduced financial risk.
BTC 3 offers qualifying organizations discounted cloud subscription pricing for a multi-year term, providing significant cost savings compared to standard licensing. It also includes dual-use rights, allowing your business to continue using on-premise systems while migrating to the cloud. That flexibility reduces downtime and gives your team time to test, train, and validate systems before fully cutting over.
If you are an SMB still considering modernization, this program removes two major barriers: upfront cost and operational risk. Instead of absorbing full cloud pricing immediately or rushing a complex migration, you gain a structured, supported transition path.
Are you eligible for Bridge to the Cloud 3?
Eligibility typically applies to organizations that own qualifying on-premise Dynamics licenses purchased before Microsoft’s specified cutoff date and maintain active enhancement or support plans. Enrollment is completed through authorized Cloud Solution Provider partners, making it easier to bundle licensing, migration services, and ongoing management under one agreement.With the right managed IT partner guiding the process, cloud migration becomes less about “if” and more about “how fast you want to move.” Contact Liberty Center One for a consultation, and we can explain your cloud migration options, prepare your business for the switch, and help you apply for the BTC 3 program.