Gartner Research

10 Best Practices for Azure Cloud IaaS Cost Optimization

Published: 13 February 2018

ID: G00343592

Analyst(s): Arun Chandrasekaran, Ron Blair

Summary

Underestimating the complexity associated with managing Azure cloud costs and myriad services and consumption options is likely to result in significant cost inefficiencies and budget challenges. I&O leaders should use the following best practices to successfully manage Azure deployments.

Table Of Contents
  • Key Challenges

Introduction

Analysis

  • No. 1 — Plan for Azure Cost Optimization to Be an Ongoing Process
  • No. 2 — Consider Purchase Commitments
  • No. 3 — Evaluate Your Options Before Adding New Workloads
  • No. 4 — Determine an Initial Baseline, Then Constantly Monitor and Rightsize
  • No. 5 — Institute Governance and Prevent Orphaned Resources and Overprovisioning
  • No. 6 — Invest in Your Cloud Cost Optimization Team
  • No. 7 — Invest in CSEM Capabilities
  • No. 8 — Optimize the Network
  • No. 9 — Rightsize Storage and Manage Data Life Cycle
  • No. 10 — Use Azure SQL Database, Azure Cloud Services, Azure Container Service and Azure Functions to Optimize Value and Costs
    • Azure SQL Database
    • Azure Cloud Services and App Services
    • Azure Container Service and Azure Functions

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