Learn how to optimize business costs with Microsoft azure – here’s how!
Microsoft Azure is a go-to cloud solution for small and large organizations because of its reliability, cost management, and convenience. The various built-in pricing models and tools help businesses optimize their choices based on their budgets. Keep reading to discover the simple ways to save costs with Azure.
Move Workloads To Containers
- Compared to virtual machines (VMs), containers are a much more efficient way of storing workloads. They enable businesses to run multiple containerized single hosts and sometimes manage multiple containers per host. By repackaging applications as containers, companies can reduce the need for VMs and optimize their Azure costs. However, before migrating to containers, it’s essential to consult with an Azure expert to determine if it’s the best solution for your project.
Although switching to containers can result in cost savings, it can also increase costs depending on your workflow and resources. Therefore, aim for 100% utilization of your Virtual Machines to achieve optimal cost savings. Businesses can do this by monitoring their metrics using Azure Monitor and auto-scaling features to add or remove machines based on utilization percentage at any given time.
Customize Your VM Stop/Start Schedule
- Creating a customized VM stop/start schedule analysis based on your usage patterns and availability is crucial to optimize Azure costs. In addition, combining custom scheduling with autoscaling will result in added elasticity and better cost-effectiveness in the long run. One way to implement an automatic stop/start function is by using Azure Automation Runbooks.
This tool can be particularly effective in a test environment where continuous operation is not always necessary. Additionally, using autoscaling in VMSS is an excellent solution for applications requiring VMs, as it makes adding or removing instances based on the autoscaling rule easy.
Remove Unused Virtual Disks
- It is crucial to remove any unused virtual disks to optimize costs. Unfortunately, Azure doesn’t automatically delete virtual disks when you delete a virtual machine, which can cause costs to increase without your knowledge. Instead, locate any unused virtual disks through the Disks screen in the Azure portal to address this issue.
This screen will display your current storage account’s active virtual disks. Once you have identified any unused virtual disks, delete them to manage your Azure costs and avoid overpaying for components that you don’t need.
Track Application Dependencies
In addition to the SQL server, your application likely has other functionalities such as queues, caching, and dependencies. You can use Azure tools and services to track these app dependencies effectively.
Azure Cache for Redis
- It allows you to store data in memory rather than on a disk. In addition, this feature enables fast cache operations by processing requests within milliseconds.
Microsoft Azure Service Bus
- This service can decouple apps to create a reliable platform for transferring data and state through messages.
Implement a Tired Storage Model
Storage is a significant expense for many businesses, so optimizing it can lead to substantial cost savings. Implementing a tiered storage model can reduce costs based on the project requirements. Azure Blob Storage, for instance, offers several tiers of storage, including Premium, Hot, Cool, and Archive, each with varying pricing.
Businesses can select the storage tier that best suits their needs. For organizations looking to save significantly on Azure costs, storing data on a lower-cost tier can lower their monthly expenses and lead to substantial savings in the long run.
Contact Henson Group to avail of Azure Migration or Azure Optimization services. These services provide an in-depth analysis that helps determine exactly how much you will spend on Azure. We help businesses increase accessibility and productivity. Get in touch today for free migration, training, and outright support.