Hello Patsy,
>> . . . We are moving our database server into the cloud
Red flag. Check that the proposed database is certified against your CA Service Desk Manager version:
Supportability Matrix - CA Service Management - 17.2 - CA Technologies Documentation
Clients have used cloud databases such as MS Azure, but they're not on the Supportability Matrix.
Certify CA Service Desk on Azure Cloud
>> Do we need to run pdm_configure once we have brought over the database?
Yes. This will update the database hostname in the NX.env file and it will update relevant entries such as the Delegation Server table (dlgtsrvr).
Don't forget to check out the Swing Box documentation, as part of the move will be covered by the checklist there, even though you're only moving the database and not the whole application.
Use the Swing Box Method to Upgrade to CA SDM 17.2 - CA Service Management - 17.2 - CA Technologies Documentation
>> We are also using USS is there any configuration that needs to be done to reconnect USS?
Yes. You need to run through whatever setup that you would need for a new install, in order to tell it where the database and other details are. The USS Configuration Details are here:
Unified Self-Service Configuration Details - CA Service Management - 17.2 - CA Technologies Documentation
You may not need to revisit certificates as the applications aren't moving, but Step 8 here references the data source, so putting this link here just in case it is useful:
How to configure CA Unified Self Service (USS) to - CA Knowledge
As always, perform a full walkthrough on a Development system first, and take virtual backups so that recovery is as quick as possible during the testing stage.
Thanks, Kyle_R.