Cloud (Azure) Cost Optimization

Initially agenda to move workload on cloud for many organization was to save cost but now this is slowly changing towards “time to market”. We all know all cloud offering has many features on roadmap and it get release much much faster compare to how soon any single org can release. still cost optimization for on many azure services is critical and many sometime struggle doing it. listing below few easy point that can get you started on this optimization journey on Azure Cloud.

Planning your Journey is really important and not really rushing it just because everyone talking about cloud. per study Lift and shift or using IaaS as on-prem may increase your cost instead lowering.

Plan if you can restructure your workload to PaaS or contenerize, this is very important consideration on cloud cost optimization.

Using correct tier for your dev/test workload and choosing or switching where possible to different azure region will save some $ too. not all azure region cost same for same service.

If you have plan for year or three to use IaaS VM’s using reserved instance option will significantly (upto 50%) lower compute cost.

Look for any opportunity to review and delete orphaned resources, Auto stop-start and auto scaling options.

There are few free services that you can leverage to keep an eye and correct where needed.

Azure Advisor recommendation

Azure Pricing calculator : https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/pricing/calculator/

Azure TCO Calculator : https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/pricing/tco/calculator/

Setting Budget and Cost Alert

Doing regular Cost Analysis

And not to forget about EA Agreement, for Enterprise customer there is different discounts on total bill.