Partner selection - Choose the implementer after the work is understood.
Cloud Ascend converts discovery into a fair, estate-specific evaluation—so proposals can be compared on the same facts and the selected partner starts with fewer unknowns.
Evaluation criteria - A scoring model built around your program—not a generic analyst grid.
- Estate fit. Demonstrated depth in the source platforms, languages, databases, schedulers, and integration patterns in scope.
- Target fit. Strength in the architectures and services implied by the recommended modernization path.
- Delivery model. A credible plan for discovery, transformation, validation, cutover, support, and governance.
- Domain context. Relevant business and regulatory experience without treating superficial industry similarity as proof.
- Knowledge transfer. Clear commitments for documentation, enablement, ownership, and reduced long-term dependency.
- Commercial alignment. Transparent assumptions, comparable pricing, incentive structure, and practical risk allocation.
Illustrative matrix - Make tradeoffs visible before negotiations begin.
Weighting changes with the estate and decision. The example below shows the structure—not a rating of actual providers.
| Criterion | Weight | Partner A | Partner B | Partner C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source-estate depth | 25% | Strong | Moderate | Strong |
| Target-architecture fit | 20% | Moderate | Strong | Strong |
| Transformation method | 20% | Strong | Strong | Moderate |
| Validation & cutover | 15% | Strong | Moderate | Strong |
| Knowledge transfer | 10% | Moderate | Strong | Moderate |
| Commercial model | 10% | Moderate | Strong | Strong |
A cleaner handoff - The selection process becomes the first step of mobilization.
Qualified providers receive a consistent technical brief, respond to the same constraints, and identify assumptions against a shared view of the estate.
Comparable proposals
Reduce ambiguity that otherwise makes scope, timelines, and pricing impossible to compare.
Faster due diligence
Focus follow-up on material gaps rather than repeatedly rediscovering the estate.
Lower transition risk
Transfer evidence, assumptions, and open decisions into the delivery team from day one.
Start with clarity
Know what you have before choosing who will rebuild it.
Begin with a focused conversation about your application estate, constraints, and the decision your leadership team needs to make.