Key Strategies to Cutting Costs in Microsoft Azure
In the business world, every dollar counts. For companies wanting to stay viable —and thrive— a solid understanding of cost optimisation is crucial for success.
With most organisations using some form of cloud in their operations, understanding not only general cloud cost optimisation techniques, but also strategies and tools unique to their chosen provider, is highly important for long term success.
Microsoft Azure is one of the world’s most popular cloud service providers. But, as cloud adoption increases, so do the complexities and potential expenses associated with managing these environments. This article explores the ins and outs of cost optimisation, and unpacks some of the tools Azure has in place to help users effectively manage and reduce costs in their Azure environments.
Why do we need to focus on Cost Optimisation?
The most obvious reason for organisations to focus on cost optimisation, is for greater financial efficiency. Cloud services offer scalability and flexibility, but without proper management, costs can spiral out of control. Cost optimisation ensures that businesses only pay for the resources they need, preventing unnecessary expenses and boosting ROI.
Optimising costs goes hand-in-hand with optimising resource utilisation. Ensuring that resources are used efficiently not only saves money but also improves performance and reliability.
What’s more, this efficient use of resources contributes to sustainability. Efficient cloud management aligns with green computing initiatives, promoting environmentally friendly practices. So how can you best manage costs when using Azure? Let’s get started.
Our top tips for cost management in Azure
- Leverage Built-in tools: Azure provides built-in tools like Azure Cost Management and Billing, which offer insights into your cloud spending. These tools help track usage, analyse costs, and set budgets to prevent overspending.
- Right-size your resources: Continuously monitor and adjust the size of your virtual machines (VMs) and other resources. Tools like Azure Advisor provide recommendations on under-utilised or over-provisioned resources that could be scaled down, or opportunities for redirecting additional funds to for greater performance.
- Train your team: Well-trained personnel can more effectively monitor and manage cloud resources —making informed decisions that reduce unnecessary expenditures. Even better, knowledgeable staff can troubleshoot and optimise applications more efficiently, further driving down costs and boosting your operational efficiency.
Azure’s ready-made Cost Optimisation tools
Azure has a wide range of available tools to help you to keep your cloud costs in check:
- Azure Cost Management and Billing: A comprehensive toolset for tracking, analysing, and optimising your Azure spending. It provides cost and usage reports, budgets, and recommendations for cost-saving opportunities.
- Azure Advisor: A personalised cloud consultant that provides best practices and recommendations to help you optimise your Azure deployments. It offers insights into cost optimisation, security, performance, and availability.
- Azure Pricing Calculator: This is an essential tool for estimating the costs of Azure services. It allows you to create and share cost estimates, helping you plan and budget for new deployments.
- Azure Monitor: Monitor the performance and health of your Azure resources. Use insights from Azure Monitor to optimise resource allocation and lower your costs.
- Azure Resource Graph: A powerful query tool that provides visibility into your Azure resources. It helps you assess and manage your resources effectively, for better cost control.
Get greater ROI from your solution with a well-trained team
At Bespoke, we believe that cost optimisation in Microsoft Azure is not just about saving money—it’s about supercharging the return value of your cloud investment.
Cost optimisation is a core cloud competency, covered in a number of courses and learning pathways to ensure you’ve got the skills needed to effectively manage your cloud environments. It’s an essential skill to train your team on!
By training with us, you’ll gain a deep understanding of cost optimisation strategies. Our expert-led courses provide the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial efficiency, gain a competitive edge, and promote sustainable practices.
Take a look at our Fundamentals or Administrator courses to get started today, or get in touch to talk through the best option for you and your team.
