# Building a TiDB Cloud Strategy
+ Choose between TiDB Dedicated and TiDB Serverless
+ Optimized cloud strategy for existing applications
  + Short-term spiky workloads (Serverless)
    + Planned Phased Migration
    + TiDB Cloud Benefits
      + Zero upfront investment
      + Transparent provisioning
      + Instant scalability
      + Auto scaling and elasticity
      + Pay as you go
      + Removes undifferentiated maintenance heavy lifting
      + Developer productivity
  + Long-term intensive workloads (Dedicated)
    + Planned Phased Migration
    + TiDB Cloud Benefits
      + On-demand provisioning
      + Instant scalability
      + Pay as you provision
      + Removes undifferentiated maintenance heavy lifting
      + Developer productivity
![`smart`](TiDBCloudStrategy_aa_001_20230831.png)
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There are several approaches to building a cloud strategy. We’ve seen customers from all size companies, from all industries get started with AWS in different ways. Building a cloud strategy really depends on the your organization’s needs. We recommend that you have two strategies in mind: one for new applications, and one for existing applications.

For new applications, build and design new architectures with the cloud in mind. We have seen several customers, who were able to build cloud-ready applications from the ground up. These customers designed their applications using some or all of the cloud architecture patterns we’ve discussed—such as elasticity and loosely-coupled systems.

Existing applications can also benefit from the cloud. These applications require a different approach than new applications. For example,, we recommend defining a migration plan and transitioning application by application. This enables you to gain experience with the cloud at a pace that you define. As you define your migration plan, you’ll find that some applications are ready to move right away. Other apps, however, might require a slower, more methodical plan.

This strategy has worked for several of our customers. Whether you are startup or an SMB or Large enterprise or an SI helping the customer, the strategy does not really need to change.

Let's look at how you might move existing applications to the cloud. These apps fall into two categories:
- "No-brainer to move" apps. These are apps that can easily move into the cloud with a minimum of time and effort.
- Planned phased migration. These are apps that require more thought before moving them into the cloud.