Cloud pricing and cost optimization
A strong grasp on cloud pricing and cost optimization models is critical to avoid unwanted billing surprises. Learn how to navigate cloud vendors' pricing structures and dissect a monthly cloud bill. In addition, get expert advice to select and manage cloud resources to ensure the lowest possible cost, and evaluate which cloud cost management tools can best meet your needs.
Top Stories
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Feature
10 Nov 2022
10 FAQs about cloud computing
Learn the basics of cloud computing with answers to these frequently asked questions. Review the different types of clouds, and see how your company can get started with them. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Nov 2022
8 key characteristics of cloud computing
Companies rely on the cloud for modern app development. Learn the key features that differentiate cloud computing from traditional, on-premises IT architectures. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 May 2022
8 ways to reduce cloud costs
Organizations need the right strategies in place to avoid cloud cost pitfalls. Stay within your budget with these cost management best practices. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jan 2022
Managed services benefits ease enterprise IT security woes
At a time when threats to network and data security are on the rise, MSSPs can help overwhelmed enterprises confront cloud configuration, risk reduction and regulatory compliance. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jan 2022
Managed services IT support closes the cloud skills gap
As businesses in the throes of digital transformation and cloud migration struggle to find and hire technically skilled IT professionals, MSP expertise can help fill the void. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Dec 2021
Cloud TCO: How to calculate cloud total cost of ownership
Unsure what it'll cost to run your workloads in the cloud? Learn the parameters you need to define in order to get up and running and avoid costly surprises. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Nov 2021
How to transition to the cloud: 7 best practices
The cloud can help improve an app's performance and cost, but businesses need to plan for success. Follow these best practices to ensure cloud migration success. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Nov 2021
12 key steps for a successful cloud migration
Ready to move your on-premises apps to the cloud? From rehosting vs. redesigning to testing and monitoring, follow these key steps for a successful cloud migration. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Nov 2021
Top cloud migration and adoption trends for 2022 and beyond
Cloud migrations are inevitable for some enterprises as they navigate a move off premises or between clouds. Evaluate some of the latest migration trends and the pros and cons that come with each. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2021
3 factors that influence multi-cloud cost optimization
Without careful oversight, multi-cloud deployments can be costly. These data management and security practices can help IT teams control and reduce monthly costs. Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2021
Kion, formerly Cloudtamer, expands cloud management features
Cloudtamer, a cloud management startup, rebrands as Kion for the platform's 3.0 release. New features include expanded support for Google Cloud Platform and cloud finance tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Oct 2021
An overview of Amazon EC2 vs. AWS Lambda
EC2 and Lambda meet different needs in an AWS cloud environment -- but can also work together. The only limits are in the minds of cloud architects. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Oct 2021
3 best practices for Amazon S3 cost optimization
Everything a business runs in the cloud costs money, and AWS S3 storage is no exception. Smart AWS users understand how to adjust S3 storage levels to control costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Oct 2021
How to negotiate a cloud agreement that works
In a cloud initiative, the difference between disappointment and success is connected to the quality of the contract. Consider these negotiation strategies. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Oct 2021
On premises vs. cloud: The major similarities and differences
An organization deciding whether to run a workload on premises or in the cloud must carefully evaluate security, reliability, costs and other factors -- and ask four key questions. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2021
How to manage cloud transfer and egress charges
It's expensive -- sometimes shockingly expensive -- to move data out of the cloud. Consider these factors to avoid costly data transfer bills. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Sep 2021
Understand the 5 main benefits of hybrid cloud for businesses
Why choose between public cloud and private systems when you can have both? With hybrid cloud, enterprises can address workload requirements, business demands and budgetary needs. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Sep 2021
Multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud similarities and differences
Organizations sometimes struggle to understand the difference between hybrid cloud and multi-cloud. Check out this video and tips to get familiar with these architectures. Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2021
Atlassian Forge fills key role in cloud migration strategy
After a two-year development effort, Atlassian Forge is generally available as a distribution point for the add-on apps users need to match on-premises features in the cloud. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 May 2021
Pandemic-fueled cloud rush causes cost optimization woes
Amid the rise in cloud adoption prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, enterprises seek to contain and optimize costs through practices such as FinOps. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 May 2021
Try before you buy with free tiers in cloud
Cloud services aren't cheap, and you don't want to get stuck using one that isn't the right fit. This is where the 'try before you buy' options come in. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Apr 2021
How to calculate cloud migration costs before you move
Here's a primer on how to calculate the total cost of a cloud migration and compare your on-premises expenses to what you'll spend on the move. Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2021
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure adds next-gen AMD EPYC instances
Oracle hopes new AMD EPYC instance types that deliver more performance at the same price as the previous generation can bring more attention to its IaaS. Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2021
Pandemic cloud migration push to have lasting impact
Enterprises boosted their investments in cloud computing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if vaccines resolve the crisis, COVID-19's influence will linger in the cloud market. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Feb 2021
What you need to know to manage multiple AWS accounts
Explore AWS services and best practices that can optimize multi-account management across your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jan 2021
How to choose between IaaS and SaaS cloud models
Even if you already moved a few workloads to the cloud, it's never too early to start looking at where you are going and never too late to make a change. See if IaaS or SaaS is the right service model for your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2021
How to build a cloud center of excellence
Learn how to create an effective cloud center of excellence for your company with these steps and best practices. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Jan 2021
Evaluate these 15 multi-cloud management platforms
Dig into the benefits -- and drawbacks -- of the top tools and services to help enterprises manage their hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Dec 2020
Five keys to an effective hybrid cloud migration strategy
The call to adopt a hybrid cloud strategy is persistent. Vendors suggest it, and management teams listen. So, what does it take to actually adopt the hybrid cloud approach? Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Dec 2020
Amazon Kendra vs. Elasticsearch Service: What's the difference?
Amazon Elasticsearch Service and Amazon Kendra both handle search, but that's about where the similarities end. Learn how and when to use each AWS offering for your application. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Dec 2020
What the critics get wrong about serverless costs
While critics say serverless is an expensive, clunky way to deploy software, it really isn't -- if you use it right. Let's debunk some myths around the costs of using serverless. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2020
Reevaluate your cloud computing pandemic strategy
If you jumped to the cloud at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, without much long-term planning, take some time now to evaluate your current cloud strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Nov 2020
How to negotiate with Oracle for a better cloud deal
Set your organization up for a successful cloud deal. Learn the challenges you'll need to overcome with these insights on Oracle's cloud sales strategy from ClearEdge Partners. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Oct 2020
3 SaaS cost management tips for new-to-cloud usage
When it comes to SaaS spending, IT must ensure that everyone from users to management is on the same page. Use these strategies to stay within your cloud budget. Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2020
Atlassian cloud shift quickens with Data Center price hikes
Atlassian's on-premises customer base has expressed alarm at the company's plans to discontinue Server licenses and make major Data Center price increases. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Oct 2020
Amazon S3 vs. Google Cloud Storage vs. Azure pricing, features
See how storage pricing and features stack up in this comprehensive look at the three major cloud service providers. Continue Reading
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News
01 Oct 2020
AWS Cost Management adds anomaly detection
AWS has added an Anomaly Detection service to its Cost Management suite that applies machine learning to a customer's usage and fires off alerts when thresholds are exceeded. Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2020
Google Anthos update adds on-premises clout
An update to Google's Anthos makes the container management and orchestration platform feel more at home inside customers' data centers. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Aug 2020
Public cloud metrics and KPI tools your business should know
Metrics and KPIs for public cloud deployments can be overwhelming. Learn how cloud architects can track usage of compute, storage, database resources and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Aug 2020
Collaboration is key to earning cloud computing cost savings
Many organizations turn to the cloud for greater flexibility and dynamic scalability, but IT and financial teams must work together to address the complicated pricing scenarios. Continue Reading
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Answer
24 Jul 2020
When should my company use cloud arbitrage?
Organizations can escape vendor lock-in with a cloud arbitrage model. However, it requires an upfront investment and a solid understanding of the limitations of this approach. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 Jul 2020
When should you use cloud vs. on-premises storage?
Choose the right data storage approach with this breakdown on the differences between cloud and on-premises storage. Consider cost, compliance, performance and other factors. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jun 2020
Review the top sessions from recent cloud conferences
Build your own cloud conference from home. Watch sessions from the past year to learn about modern application architecture, cloud security, machine learning and cost management. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2020
AWS Savings Plans vs. Reserved Instances, explained
AWS Savings Plans offer discounted EC2 rates to help reduce your AWS bill and compute costs. Learn why Savings Plans are a good alternative to Reserved Instances. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jun 2020
NetApp hybrid cloud infrastructure management hits the Spot
NetApp makes its third cloud-related acquisition of 2020; the company says it will buy Spot, which uses machine learning to optimize cloud capacity and reduce infrastructure costs. Continue Reading
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News
28 May 2020
Cloud use spikes amid COVID-19 but IaaS costs remain stable
Don't expect hyperscalers like AWS to profiteer from the COVID-19 pandemic. But enterprises must take extra precautions as they invest in cloud-based infrastructure and software, analysts say. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 May 2020
Gain a broad view of cloud optimization
Cloud optimization is a broad discipline that involves much more than just cost. Learn why performance, reliability and sustainability should also play a role in an optimization strategy. Continue Reading
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News
29 Apr 2020
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure adds new AMD EPYC instances
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure has boosted its support for mission-critical workloads with new options based on AMD's second-generation EPYC processors. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Apr 2020
Why cloud optimization tools can't replace strategy
Cloud optimization tools can help companies manage costs on a day-to-day basis, but only clear business goals and governance around cloud resources can guide an organization through times of extreme contingency, such as a shift to fully remote work. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2020
7 tips to manage cloud sprawl in your enterprise
Cloud sprawl can lead to all sorts of unwanted surprises. Review these recommendations to get control over all the cloud resources across your business. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Feb 2020
Learn how to negotiate your way to Azure cost savings
Discover how to counter Microsoft's sales playbook. ClearEdge Partners licensing specialist Steve Paradis explains how to navigate your next negotiation and get the best price for Azure. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Feb 2020
Lower your cloud bill with these AWS cost control tips
Without an AWS cost management strategy in place, cloud bills can spiral out of control. Explore these tools and best practices to optimize your AWS spending. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Feb 2020
Is it time to consider a cloud exit strategy?
Cloud repatriation -- or a cloud exit, as it is sometimes called -- is probably not a good choice in most situations. Sometimes, however, it's exactly the right thing to do. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2020
Get a handle on AWS costs with these tips and tools
It's normal for your AWS bill to fluctuate, but don't let it spike for the wrong reasons. Take these steps to avoid unnecessary charges and keep your cloud costs in check. Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2019
Hybrid, cost management cloud trends to continue in 2020
Hybrid and multi-cloud approaches evolved in 2019, cost management efforts rose and deployment options vied for dominance. Those trends are all likely to continue through 2020. Continue Reading
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News
05 Dec 2019
New AWS cost management tool, instance tactics to cut cloud bills
AWS users like Lyft and Salesforce have figured out how to keep their cloud costs as low as possible, and a new cloud management tool from Amazon aims to help others do the same. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Nov 2019
Establish a self-service cloud brokerage from scratch
Make developers and admins happier with a self-service portal that delivers an in-house marketplace of approved cloud tools and services. Continue Reading
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Infographic
22 Nov 2019
Keep the costs of cloud computing under control
Enterprises need to track, manage and optimize cloud spending to keep budgets in check. Get to the bottom of your overspending problem, and learn how to fix it, with this infographic. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Nov 2019
Save money on instances with these cloud discounts
Don't pay full price for cloud computing resources when you don't have to. See how to save money for VMs on AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2019
Google joins bare-metal cloud fray
Google could attract more legacy application workloads through new bare-metal cloud instances, but it's unclear how they measure up to competitors on manageability and cost. Continue Reading
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News
07 Nov 2019
Mars gains sweet cloud savings with Azure Cost Management
Azure Cost Management, which helps customers track spend on the cloud platform, can provide sweet rewards if used correctly and comprehensively, according to candy maker Mars. Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Oct 2019
Utilize AI for cloud cost optimization
The sticker shock of cloud bills is still a pain point for enterprises. Providers are looking to AI to fix the problem, but can this technology actually meet customers' needs? Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Oct 2019
6 cloud cost optimization strategies for long-term planning
Short-term cost management tools are one way to improve cost efficiencies in the cloud, but to stay on track, you also need long-term strategies to eliminate unnecessary cloud spend. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Sep 2019
Evaluate Azure Cost Management updates post-Cloudyn acquisition
Microsoft users have seen a number of improvements to the Azure Cost Management tool -- but there are still concerns about its support for other cloud platforms. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2019
Build cloud economics expertise in-house
Cloud bills shouldn't be filled with surprises, but unexpected costs are all too common. Ensure your staff can handle cost management and optimization processes to rein in spending. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Aug 2019
Kick-start AWS cost reduction with these tools and techniques
Never turn your back on a cloud deployment. Learn how to tame AWS bills through capacity planning and governance practices, relying on CloudFormation, Cost Explorer and other AWS products. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Aug 2019
Cloud application monitoring takes a multipronged approach
To monitor cloud apps, you'll need to gather metrics on performance, cost and security. IT teams and the tools they choose to implement will require coordinated effort. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2019
AWS expands its cloud cost optimization portfolio
AWS customers have long bemoaned its complexity, which can lead to inadvertent costs. Now AWS has a recommendation tool to help them optimize their EC2 instances for cost and performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jun 2019
5 tips to right-size your cloud instances and VMs
Improperly sized cloud instances and VMs can wreak havoc on your budget and decrease performance. Delve deeper into right-sizing with these five best practices. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jun 2019
Ask these 5 questions before deploying cloud HA
IT teams can build HA into their organization's cloud apps, but is it worth it? And how much is too much? Ask these and other critical questions before architecting for HA. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jun 2019
Know the tools needed to bake cloud HA into apps
The cost for HA might outweigh the benefit for many cloud apps. But, before you can debate the need to architect a highly redundant system, you need to know the tools at your disposal. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jun 2019
Deploy Azure low-priority VMs -- strategically
Microsoft's low-priority VMs come with big savings -- and a catch. Learn how to incorporate them into your cost optimization efforts and see how they stack up to the competition. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jun 2019
Google Cloud price change eyes AI and machine learning workloads
Google Cloud has expanded its committed use discount plan to include GPU, TPU and local SSD resources to spark more AI and machine learning workloads. Continue Reading
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News
30 May 2019
Azure Cost Management adds AWS, reflects multi-cloud strategies
Microsoft's Azure Cost Management tool now integrates with AWS to track spending across both cloud platforms, a nod to customers' increased shift toward multi-cloud strategies. Continue Reading
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News
16 May 2019
Apptio buys Cloudability for cloud cost optimization
Apptio looks to strengthen its cloud cost optimization services with the addition of Cloudability, as the industry continues to coalesce around hybrid and multi-cloud management. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 May 2019
Cloud cost management tactics that work
This guide looks at strategies and best practices for cloud cost savings. We'll focus on public clouds, although many of these tips apply to private and hybrid cloud architectures as well. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 May 2019
Weighing the pros and cons of enterprise network subscriptions
A centralized repository of network licenses can help enterprises visualize their IT assets and manage their purchases. But higher costs and amortization issues lurk. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Apr 2019
Cloud cost calculators come with some limitations
Enterprises that plan to move to the cloud should get a good idea of the costs upfront. While calculator tools can give you an estimate, they don't factor in external costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Apr 2019
Navigate serverless cloud SLAs for event-driven apps
Each cloud provider defines serverless uptime differently. Consider platform reliability, other guarantees and refund rates before building an event-driven app. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Mar 2019
Kick-start your app migration strategy with these best practices
As the cloud becomes more popular, most enterprises will need a migration strategy. Before they move to the public cloud, companies should step back and assess their applications and migration methods. Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2019
Google Cloud outages resolved, but stakes still high for users
Several Google Cloud services suffered some recent hiccups, but analysts gave the service provider high marks for quick resolution and transparency. Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2019
Google Cloud Storage price plan stresses data gravity's pull
Google Cloud Storage's expanded annual budget framework may give customers more cost savings and control, but they should consider other factors such as vendor lock-in. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Mar 2019
Amazon EC2 to S3: A guide to AWS products
The AWS product list is as vast as it is confusing. Here's what you need to know about the most vital AWS products, up to and including Amazon EC2, along with pricing information. Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2019
Cloudability seeks to broaden the cloud cost management discussion
Enterprises can use a variety of software tools to control cloud spending, but they would further benefit from an operational model that aligns IT more closely with finance teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Feb 2019
Compare reserved instances pricing for AWS, Azure and GCP
Got commitment issues? When it comes to long-term instance reservations, cloud users should look closely at what AWS, Microsoft and Google offer. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Feb 2019
Control the cloud bill and avoid unexpected costs
Don't get discouraged by high cloud costs. Use these four tips to whip your bill into shape. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2019
Cisco expands CloudCenter for multi-cloud management
Cisco hopes additions and changes to its CloudCenter software will appeal to companies that want to work with multiple clouds. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jan 2019
Keep an eye on these third-party cloud management tools
Examine what third-party vendors can bring to the table before you choose your cloud provider's native management tools as a default option. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jan 2019
Private cloud platforms step out of the shadows
Enterprises often confront a choice: public or private cloud. Public cloud may be the easy option, but it isn't the right one for everyone. Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Dec 2018
Prepare for these 3 cloud computing challenges in 2019
As enterprise cloud strategies continue to mature, IT teams will face a new set of challenges in 2019, ranging from cost governance to the management of complex, heterogeneous architectures. Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2018
Azure database updates court on-premises installed base
Microsoft hopes a series of features, deployment options and price changes can convince more customers to migrate their database workloads to Azure and not to rival clouds. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Nov 2018
5 best ways to minimize cloud scaling costs
Many factors can contribute to a high public cloud bill -- one of which is scalability. Apply these five practices to effectively scale cloud resources without breaking the bank. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2018
Control resource sprawl in multi-cloud architectures
Resource sprawl can occur quickly and easily in a multi-cloud deployment. Learn how to dodge this costly, yet common, issue with these five best practices. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2018
EC2 Fleet Auto Scaling targets diverse workloads
Autoscaling is table stakes for public cloud providers. Now AWS customers can apply it to their EC2 Fleet instance groups for improved control over cost and performance. Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2018
Cloud cost management tools heat up with Apptio sale
Why does private equity firm Vista Equity Partners want to pay nearly $2 billion for IT spend analytics vendor Apptio? Here's a clue: It's the rise of hybrid cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2018
Azure Reserved Instances boost flexibility around VM size
A recent Azure update for Reserved Instances offers enterprises increased flexibility in terms of VM size, but it also comes with some additional management tasks. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2018
Avoid these app design mistakes to save a cloud budget
Certain oversights during app design can increase cloud costs. Dive into the details of four often-overlooked mistakes, and learn how to avoid them to keep your budget in check. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2018
Support for SaaS applications demands a hands-on approach
While they reduce some management burdens for enterprise IT teams, SaaS apps don't exactly run on autopilot, either. Be sure to put a proper support model in place. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Oct 2018
Estimate cloud computing costs prior to app migration
Enterprises should enlist a number of resources, including cost calculators and third-party tools, to assess what they'll pay for cloud computing -- before they start migration. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2018
Google Stackdriver enhances alerts, adds Kubernetes support
A recent round of updates to Google's monitoring tool gives IT and development teams more options to set up alerts, track usage and support Kubernetes, both in the cloud and on premises. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Sep 2018
Cost management the next big issue in multi-cloud computing
Multi-cloud computing continues to make its way into the enterprises and, as it does, introduces some significant cost management challenges. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jul 2018
Cloud billing surprises help pinpoint app performance issues
To assess cloud app performance, don't forget to closely monitor monthly bills from your IaaS provider. They might point to inefficiencies you'd otherwise overlook. Continue Reading