The AWS cloud can deliver many transformational benefits to your organisation, such as increased speed, agility, and performance.
Of course, adoption of a cloud-based IT infrastructure also brings with it several challenges. Perhaps the most pressing of those is the issue of AWS cost optimisation.
Understanding the difference between the capital expenditure (CapEX) model of traditional on-premise IT, and the operational expenditure (OpEx) model of the cloud, is part of the reason. Moving away from fixed costs to a subscription-based service for your business’s IT adds new complexity to budgeting and managing your spending.
This also creates the need for constant monitoring and optimisation of your cloud environment, to keep up with the costs your organisation is accruing from a range of factors like performance and scale.
Unfortunately, another reason that this is so challenging is because the most common methods and tools are rarely sufficient. For example:
Essentially, it means you’re at risk of receiving surprises with your monthly AWS cloud costs and drastically over-spending on your IT budget. Even worse, you may be unable to afford your required IT services, or meet performance needs, if things were to go change.
Hypothetically, for example, what would you do if you were to experience a change like rising AWS costs from your provider? How would you manage the increase in monthly spending while maintaining the same levels of performance, usage, reliability, and so on?
The key to solving these problems is mastering AWS cost optimisation, which you can achieve with continual monitoring, management, and scaling of your ever-changing cloud infrastructure.
Granted, this is easier said than done. Thankfully, there are intelligent, automated AWS cost management solutions available. These sophisticated tools are purpose-built to optimise your cloud environment, allowing you to maintain the most cost-effective spending and remain within your budget.
To learn more about this critical aspect of a successful cloud strategy, read our related article here where we provide a detailed guide to AWS cost management and optimisation.
If you’re struggling to get control of your own AWS cloud spending, or have any other questions, get in touch with us here and a member of our team will be happy to talk.