MetrixData360 Logo DeepBlue
Search
Close this search box.
MetrixData360 Logo DeepBlue 1 e1685995458467
Search
Close this search box.

Category: Uncategorized

The Secret Weapon for Cutting Cloud Storage Costs

Posted on by dingusandzazzy

Hey there!  Over the last three months, I have analyzed over $100 million of AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud bills.  One thing hit me hard in reviewing all these monthly and annual bills: the cost of cloud storage.  It’s like a silent budget eater lurking in your monthly bills.  But here’s a little secret I’ve learned – optimizing your storage with cloud storage cost-reduction techniques can be your golden ticket to savings.  Let me show you how.

Understanding Cloud Storage Costs

Cloud storage costs are sneaky.  They often take up a massive chunk of your IT budget, anywhere between 25% to 40%.  And it’s not just you – it’s a widespread issue.  But why?  The answer lies in our approach to managing these costs using effective cloud storage cost optimization techniques.

The Problem of Over-Provisioning

One thing I’ve seen in all of the bills I reviewed is how much storage people are provisioning compared to how much they use.  It’s not easy to know how much disc is managed versus how much has just been provisioned, but there are ways for each of the three big cloud providers (AWS, Azure, and GCP).  One of the biggest things I notice is that many companies double their storage to avoid downtime.  It’s like buying two cars just in case one breaks down.  Sounds excessive, right?  This over-provisioning means paying for more storage than you need.

The NoDev Approach to Storage Optimization

This is where the magic happens – the NoDev approach.  It’s about making storage optimization so simple that you don’t need a squad of developers to manage it.  With automation and intelligent algorithms, this approach does the heavy lifting in reducing your cloud costs.

Achieving Immediate ROI with Storage Optimization

Let’s talk about ROI – because who doesn’t like seeing results?  Storage optimization isn’t just about cutting costs; it’s about seeing those savings immediately through cloud cost optimization techniques.  I’ve seen big and small companies slash their storage costs by 40-50% in the first month alone!  This equates to 40%+ savings on storage costs (after paying for our solution).

Steps to Implement Storage Optimization

So, how do you jump on this cost-saving train?  First, we conduct a simple analysis of your storage usage.  Essentially, we grab a report to look at critical statistics (a 5-minute task for one of your admins).  A few days later, the MetrixData 360 team will return with a report showing how much our storage optimization solution can save you.   If there is an ROI and you want to move forward, we run a Proof of Value on a couple of dev workloads to show you how the solution works and allow you to work through any scenarios you want to ensure work for you.   During the POV, our team will work with you to build a business case to purchase.  We move to deployment after successfully concluding the POV and a proven ROI.  Then, monitor and adjust.  Keep a close eye on your storage needs and adapt as necessary.  The best part is turning on the solution and seeing the savings that day!

Real-World Success Stories

When we analyzed one of our clients’ Azure storage costs, we noticed they were at 9.9% disc utilization and spending $353,000 a year on storage.  Their storage costs were not just static either.  They had been growing every month.  MetrixData 360 analyzed this and reviewed what our Storage Optimization solution could achieve.  After a quick POC and full implementation, storage utilization improved to 75%, and annual storage spending was reduced to $141,000.  Oh, did I mention the $141,000 included in the costs of the solution?

Screenshot 2024 02 12 142204

The best part for this client is that storage increased every month, so the baseline of how much storage they are growing on is now lower.  They will save between $1.0 and $1.2 million over the next 5-years!

Conclusion

Cloud storage costs don’t have to be the black hole in your IT budget.  With some savvy optimization, you can turn the tables on these expenses.  Employing effective cloud storage cost reduction techniques is about being intelligent, proactive, and sometimes, a little bold in your strategies.

And if you’re eager to learn more, why not watch our on-demand Cloud Storage Cost Optimization webinar?

You can register here

 It’s your chance to dive deeper into these strategies and save significantly.

See you there!  Let’s make those clouds a little lighter on your budget.

Case Study: Utilities: Electrical Provider

Posted on by dingusmedia
israel palacio ImcUkZ72oUs unsplash scaled
icons8 transportation 64

Industry:

Utilities: Electrical Provider
icons8 team 50

Company Size:

5,000–10,000 employees
Pain Points:
This client had limited visibility on its software and cloud usage, specifically focusing on tools like Microsoft, Adobe, IBM, O365, and Azure.
Positive Feedback about MetrixData 360:
This client expressed gratitude toward MetrixData 360, commending their exceptional assistance and guidance throughout the projects.
Services or Tools Provided:
MetrixData 360 provided their proficiency in Adobe ELP and optimization services. This tailor made solution augmented this client’s operations, highlighting their expertise and commitment to delivering industry-specific add-ons.
Specific SKU/Service Involved:
The focus of the provided service hones in on Adobe Acrobat.
Findings:
The detailed analysis conducted by MetrixData 360 revealed that this client had over-deployed a total of 1,590 Adobe Acrobat Professional and Standard licenses.
Savings Achieved:
MetrixData 360 helped this client save up to $105,218, related to the low usage of Adobe Acrobat.
Areas of Savings:
We helped them identify low/no usage instances of Adobe Acrobat so they could successfully remove it from 1,817 devices.
Savings Breakdown:
By identifying low and no-usage instances of Adobe Acrobat, MetrixData 360 enabled this client to save $10,000 in Adobe Acrobat annual subscription.
Duration:
MetrixData 360’s efforts effectively helped this client avoid incurring an additional $95K in true-up costs, eliminating the need to increase Adobe Acrobat’s annual subscriptions.

Case Study: Finance Industry

Posted on by dingusmedia
campaign creators pypeCEaJeZY unsplash scaled
icons8 transportation 64

Industry:

Finance
icons8 team 50

Company Size:

2,500–5,000
Pain Points:
With all the recent changes Microsoft has brought to the table, our client was struggling with Windows Server Licensing because of the new subscription model, the everlasting changes in terms and conditions, and changes in license metrics.
Positive Feedback about MetrixData 360:
This client found MetrixData 360’s expertise invaluable in dealing with their Windows Server licensing issues. Thanks to the insights provided by the MetrixData 360 team, the client was able to make well-informed decisions, leading to optimized license usage and massive annual savings.
Service or Tool Provided:
The company sought Windows Server License optimization for its operations.
Specific SKU/Service Involved:
An evaluation of internal servers through Windows Server HealthCheck.
Findings:
Adjust licenses to reduce costs and provide compliance with the company’s requirements.
Savings Achieved:
With MetrixData 360’s expert intervention, the financial firm waved goodbye to non-compliant spending, saving a hefty $307,944.84 per year. Moreover, utilizing traditional licensing rules unlocked an additional annual saving of $1,693,849.20.
Areas of Savings:
The areas of savings were related to Windows Server licensing using new Virtual OSE rules.
Savings Breakdown:
100% of the savings were due to optimization.
Costs Avoided:
The client avoided costs of $307,944.84 due to optimization issues. 
Duration:
 The contract lasted under two months and was related to Windows Server Subscriptions—part of an existing Server and Cloud Enrollment (SCE).

Case Study: Healthcare and Benefits

Posted on by dingusmedia
marcelo leal k7ll1hpdhFA unsplash scaled
icons8 transportation 64

Industry:

2,500-5,000 employees
icons8 team 50

Company Size:

2,500-5,000 employees
Pain Points:
This healthcare organization faced difficulties in managing Microsoft Azure, Server Licenses, and Office 365 usage, resulting in overspending and confusion. A comprehensive solution was needed to optimize cost management, streamline resources, and improve understanding of their complex technology environment.
Positive Feedback about MetrixData 360:
MetrixData 360 provided clarity, optimized costs, and effectively streamlined the organization’s resources, gaining sincere client appreciation for their invaluable assistance.
Services or Tools Provided:
By transforming their EA Renewal into a SAM Compass annual service, MetrixData 360 customized a comprehensive solution for this company. This strategy incorporated key Microsoft services, such as Azure, O365, SQL Server, and Windows Server.
Specific SKU/Service Involved:
The healthcare firm’s IT landscape tackled specific Microsoft services: Azure, O365, SQL Server, and Windows Server.
Findings:
The healthcare firm witnessed astounding financial improvements, with a total savings of $1.9M. The renewal saved them $1,181,361, while a blended discount and SQL cleanup
accounted for $726,648 and $431,403 in savings, respectively. Further, the company saved $23,300 on Project/Visio, and with Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Plan, projected savings of $672K annually starting August 1, 2023.
Savings Achieved:
Total Savings $1.9M Renewal (June 30, 2023): $1,181,361, Blended Discount: $726,648, SQL Cleanup: $431,403, Project/Visio: $23,300; August 1, 2023: $56K per month (672K per year): Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Plan.
Areas of Savings:
This company reaped the financial advantages from EA blended discounts, SQL Server optimizations, the implementation of Dynamics 365, and Project/Visio cost reductions.
Savings Breakdown:
MetrixData 360’s intervention paved the way for the healthcare firm to save $1.3M in potential costs, including averting a $454,713 true-up from SQL Server.
Duration:
The The EA Renewal process spanned approximately six months, while the SAM Compass service followed through its annual commitment, with an estimated completion time of eight months.

Case Study: Training Industry

Posted on by dingusandzazzy
Untitled design 8
icons8 transportation 64

Industry:

Training
icons8 team 50

Company Size:

2500-5000 employees
Pain Points:
The company needed assistance realigning its on-premises licenses into Azure and optimizing its licenses as it transitioned to a new agreement. Negotiating the best price was also a challenge.
Positive Feedback about MetrixData 360:
The company appreciated the negotiation points provided by MetrixData 360, helping them request better pricing from Microsoft. The ongoing support and insights were valuable.
Service Provided:
MetrixData 360 provided the services “SLIM360 for O365 & Azure.”
Specific SKU/Service Involved:
The company’s licenses included O365, Azure, and on-premises CIS Server licenses.
Findings:
By creating a cost model, MetrixData 360 identified substantial savings that could be achieved through realignment and optimization.
Savings Achieved:
The company saved around $400,000 from its current agreement, with potential annual savings of $965,000 on O365 and $118,000 on Azure.
Areas of Savings:
The areas of savings were related to O365, Azure, and on-premises CIS Server licenses.
Savings Breakdown:
A significant portion of savings was achieved through the cost model’s insights.
Costs Avoided:
The company avoided costs of about $1.4 million.
Duration:
The engagement lasted 3 months and was a one-time engagement focused on the transition and optimization process.
Best Future Fit Service:
For this client, the best future-fit service would be either “SAM Compass” or “O365/Azure” services.

Case Study: Natural Gas Industry

Posted on by dingusandzazzy

Exploring Success: A Case Study of the Natural Gas Industry

Untitled design 6

 

 

icons8 transportation 64

Industry:

Natural Gas
icons8 team 50

Company Size:

2500-5000 employees
Pain Points:
The company needed help with re-sizing their Microsoft 365 (M365) licenses and optimizing their license usage. They were seeking a cost-effective solution.
Positive Feedback about MetrixData 360:
The value-add of MetrixData 360 was in creating cost models and providing insights that helped the company make informed decisions.
Service Provided:
MetrixData 360 provided the service “SLIM360” for M365.
Specific SKU/Service Involved:
The company was using M365 E3 licenses and Defender P1 licenses.
Findings:
The company had unassigned licenses, leading to underutilization and unnecessary costs.
Savings Achieved:
MetrixData 360 helped the company achieve an annual savings of $90,000, amounting to $270,000 over 3 years.
Areas of Savings:
The areas of savings were related to M365 E3 and Defender P1 licenses.
Savings Breakdown:
Approximately 6% of the savings were due to optimizations.
Costs Avoided:
The client avoided costs of around $400,000 annually.
Duration:
The engagement lasted 3 months and was a one-time engagement related to the company’s Enterprise Agreement renewal.
Best Future Fit Service:
The best future-fit service for this client would be “SLIM360 for O365.”

Case Study: Transportation Industry

Posted on by dingusandzazzy
fahrul azmi zN4mtLHkHn4 unsplash scaled e1693861621664
icons8 transportation 64

Industry:

Transportation
icons8 team 50

Company Size:

N/A
Pain Points:
The company struggled with understanding its SQL deployments and ensuring compliance with regulations. They needed insights into optimization possibilities.
Positive Feedback about MetrixData 360:
The company was impressed with the insights provided by MetrixData 360, which helped them identify optimization opportunities and ensure compliance.
Service Provided:
MetrixData 360 provided the service “MAP” (Metrix Assessment Platform).
Specific SKU/Service Involved:
The SQL Server workloads used SQL Server Enterprise and SQL Standard licenses.
Findings:
The SQL Server deployments were found to be non-compliant with licensing requirements, as they were using a mix of SQL Server Enterprise and SQL Standard licenses.
Savings Achieved:
While the exact dollar amount couldn’t be determined due to missing data, it was estimated that the company could save around $200,000.
Areas of Savings:
The areas of potential savings were identified within the SQL Enterprise workloads.
Savings Breakdown:
The exact amount saved through discounts versus optimization wasn’t specified.
Costs Avoided:
The cost avoided for the client was not provided.
Duration:
The engagement lasted for 2 months.

Why Keeping a Bad Sales Rep Could Cost You: How to Get a Great Software Deal and Strengthen Relationships

Posted on by Hailey Austin

As a customer, when you are looking to buy software, you want to get the best possible deal and build a strong relationship with the software provider. However, this can be difficult to achieve if a bad sales rep is working with you. In this blog post, we will explore why keeping a bad sales rep could cost you and provide actionable tips on how to get a great software deal and strengthen relationships.

Why Keeping a Bad Sales Rep Could Cost You

A bad sales rep can cost you in many ways. A bad sales rep:

  • Will not give you straight answers and will likely give you the runaround. This can be frustrating and time-consuming as you try to get the information you need to make an informed decision
  • May not be loyal to you and may be more interested in meeting their own goals than yours. This can lead to added costs, such as licensing, deployment, ongoing support, and increased costs over time.
  • Focuses on their quota and how they get paid. If you find a rep forcing you to buy products or services you don’t need, there is a reason. Reps that are focused on themselves are not going to help you accomplish what you need. 

Actionable Tips to Get a Great Deal and Strengthen Relationships

Now that we’ve looked at why a bad sales rep can cost you, let’s explore some actionable tips on how to get a great software deal and strengthen relationships.

  1. Do your research

Mistake: Not doing research 

Tip: Before making a software purchase, do your research. Look for reviews and testimonials from other customers, check the software provider’s website and social media accounts, and speak with current or past customers if possible. This will help you make an informed decision and avoid wasting time and money.

  1. Communicate your needs

Mistake: Not communicating your needs 

Tip: When speaking with a sales rep, be clear and specific about your needs. This will help the sales rep understand your needs and make appropriate recommendations. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for clarification if you don’t understand something.

Statistic: According to a survey by TechValidate, 97% of B2B buyers said that the sales rep’s ability to understand their needs was an important factor in their decision to purchase.

  1. Negotiate

Mistake: Not negotiating

Tip: Don’t be afraid to negotiate with the sales rep. Ask for discounts or special pricing, especially if purchasing multiple licenses or a long-term contract. If the sales rep is unwilling to negotiate, consider speaking with management or looking for a different software provider.

Statistic: According to a survey by HubSpot, 89% of B2B buyers said negotiating pricing was an important factor in their decision to purchase.

Get in Touch with Us to Avoid That Bad Software and Sales Rep

As a customer, if you’re looking to buy software, you want to get the best possible deal and build a strong relationship with the software provider. We’ll help you avoid those bad sales reps that cost you, and we’ll provide even more actionable tips on how to get a great software deal and strengthen relationships.

 

  1. Don’t let a lousy software sales rep cost you more. Look for warning signs like poor communication and lack of support.

 

  • Don’t settle for vague timelines or complex deployments. A good sales rep should be clear and transparent.
  • Watch out for hidden costs and “shelf-ware” bundles. A good sales rep will work to provide value and meet your needs.
  • Work with a sales rep who prioritizes your goals and vision, not just their own. Loyalty and support are critical.
  • Choose a sales rep who values security and supports your business needs. Don’t compromise on protection or solutions.

 

  1. Don’t keep a bad sales rep if you want a great software deal and strong relationships.
  • Look for warning signs like poor communication, lack of support, and unclear timelines.
  • Don’t settle for hidden costs or unnecessary “shelf-ware” bundles. A good sales rep should provide value.
  • Prioritize your own goals and vision. Choose a sales rep who will support you and work to meet your needs.
  • Don’t compromise on security or protection. Choose a sales rep who values these aspects of software purchasing.
  • Take control of the purchasing process. Don’t let a bad sales rep drive up costs or hurt your relationship with your provider.

As businesses continue to rely more and more on software, the role of the sales representative has become increasingly important. A good sales rep can help enterprises to find the right software at the right price, while a bad sales rep can do the opposite. In fact, a bad sales rep could end up costing your business more than just money. According to a study by HubSpot, over 50% of customers say they have stopped doing business with a company because of poor customer service. So, how do you avoid keeping a bad sales rep, get an excellent software deal, and strengthen your business relationships?

  1. Identify Warning Signs

The first step in avoiding a bad sales rep is to know what to look for. Here are some warning signs that you might have a bad sales rep:

  • A sales rep who is challenging to reach, doesn’t respond to emails, or doesn’t listen to your needs is a red flag.
  • A good sales rep should be there to support you throughout the entire software purchasing process, not just during the sale.
  • Be wary of sales reps who aren’t transparent about costs or try to bundle unnecessary features or services.
  •  If the sales rep is only concerned with their own goals rather than yours, it’s time to look elsewhere.

Actionable Recommendation: Watch for these warning signs, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or voice concerns to their management team. A good sales rep will be transparent and responsive.

Error to Avoid: Don’t assume that a sales rep who seems nice or friendly will automatically be a good fit. Always do your research and ask questions.

  1. Prioritize Your Goals and Vision

Your business has unique needs and goals when it comes to software. A good sales rep should prioritize your vision, not theirs. Here are some ways to ensure that your goals are being met:

  • A good sales rep will be open and honest about what they can and can’t provide.
  • Your software needs might change over time. A good sales rep should be willing to adjust to your changing needs.
  • Look for a sales rep who provides ongoing support, not just during the sale.
  • A good sales rep will be loyal to you and your business, not just trying to make a quick sale.

Actionable Recommendation: Clearly articulate your goals and vision to potential sales reps. Look for reps who show a willingness to work with you to achieve these goals.

Error to Avoid: Don’t settle for a sales rep who tries to push their own agenda or goals onto your business. Always prioritize your own needs and vision.

  1. Don’t let your sales rep talk you into unnecessary add-ons:
  • Evaluate whether add-ons align with your goals and objectives
  • Ask for data or case studies that demonstrate how the add-on has helped similar clients
  • Push back if you feel like the add-on isn’t necessary or won’t provide a good ROI
  • Don’t let a bad sales rep pressure you into making a decision that isn’t right for your business and your budget.

Sales reps are often incentivized to push additional products or services, even if they don’t add value to your specific needs. Before agreeing to any add-ons, take the time to evaluate whether they align with your goals and objectives. Ask your rep to provide data or case studies demonstrating how the add-on has helped other clients in similar industries. Don’t be afraid to push back if you feel the add-on isn’t necessary or won’t provide a good return on investment. 

Remember, it’s your business and your budget— don’t let a bad sales rep pressure you into making a decision that isn’t right for you.

Azure Cost Management

Posted on by Hailey Austin

Azure Cost Management

Male manager is explaining about the company’s cost graph on the laptop computer for employees to listen to and share the analysis.

Azure is a powerful and feature-rich cloud platform that offers a wide range of services and tools to help organizations build, deploy, and manage applications and workloads. However, the cost of using Azure can be a significant concern for organizations, particularly as the scale and complexity of their Azure environment grow.

Optimizing Azure costs requires a strategic approach considering the organization’s specific needs and requirements. To help organizations optimize their Azure costs, we recommend the following strategies:

Understand your workloads: One of the critical steps in optimizing Azure costs is to understand the specific workloads and resources consumed in your environment. This includes identifying which services and resources are used, how they are used, and how much they cost. 

Right-size your resources: Ensuring your resources are appropriately sized for your workloads is critical to optimizing Azure costs. This can involve scaling resources up or down as needed to meet the demands of your workload or selecting cost-effective resource sizes that meet your performance requirements.

Utilize Azure Cost Management tools: Azure provides various tools and services to help organizations optimize costs, including Azure Cost Management, Azure Advisor, and the Azure Pricing Calculator. These tools can help you identify optimization opportunities, track your costs over time, and plan for future growth.

Use resource tagging: Resource tagging is a powerful tool for optimizing Azure costs. It allows you to assign metadata to your resources and track their usage and costs more granularly. This can help you identify and optimize underutilized or overutilized resources and allocate costs more effectively.

Optimize resource deployment: The way that you deploy resources in Azure can have a significant impact on your costs. To optimize your costs, consider using resource groups to manage and deploy resources more efficiently and leverage deployment automation tools like Azure Resource Manager templates to streamline resource deployment.

By following these strategies, organizations can optimize their Azure costs and get the most value from their investment in the cloud.

  1. Azure cost management best practices:

Effective Azure cost management requires a strategic approach considering the organization’s specific needs and requirements. To help optimize Azure costs, we recommend the following best practices:

  • Understand your workloads: One of the critical steps in optimizing Azure costs is to understand the specific workloads and resources consumed in your environment. This includes identifying which services and resources are used, how they are used, and how much they cost.
  • Right-size your resources: Ensuring your resources are appropriately sized for your workloads is critical to optimizing Azure costs. This can involve scaling resources up or down as needed to meet the demands of your workload or selecting cost-effective resource sizes that meet your performance requirements.
  • Use resource tagging: Resource tagging is a powerful tool for optimizing Azure costs. It allows you to assign metadata to your resources and track their usage and costs more granularly. This can help you identify and optimize underutilized or overutilized resources and allocate costs more effectively.
  • Optimize resource deployment: How you deploy resources in Azure can significantly impact your costs. To optimize your costs, consider using resource groups to manage and deploy resources more efficiently and leverage deployment automation tools like Azure Resource Manager templates to streamline resource deployment.
  • Leverage Azure Cost Management tools: Azure provides tools and services to help organizations optimize costs, including Azure Cost Management, Azure Advisor, and the Azure Pricing Calculator. These tools can help you identify optimization opportunities, track your costs over time, and plan for future growth.
  1. Azure cost management tools:

Azure provides a range of tools and services to help organizations optimize their costs, including:

  • Azure Cost Management: Azure Cost Management is a comprehensive platform that provides visibility into your Azure costs, usage, and trend data. With Azure Cost Management, you can track your costs in real-time, optimize your resource usage, and optimize your Azure spending.
  • Azure Advisor: Azure Advisor is a free service that provides recommendations to help you optimize your Azure resources. Advisor analyzes your resource utilization and workload patterns and provides recommendations to help you optimize your costs, improve performance, and increase security.
  • Azure Pricing Calculator: The Azure Pricing Calculator is a tool that allows you to estimate the cost of running your workloads on Azure. You can use the calculator to estimate costs based on specific services, regions, and resource sizes and compare the cost of running your workloads on Azure to other cloud platforms.
  1. Azure cost management strategies:

Effective Azure cost management requires a strategic approach considering the organization’s specific needs and requirements. To help organizations optimize their Azure costs, we recommend the following strategies:

  • Adopt a cost-conscious mindset: To optimize your Azure costs, adopting a cost-conscious mindset and approach to resource management is essential. This involves being aware of the cost of your resources and actively seeking ways to optimize those costs.
  • Develop a cost management plan: A cost management plan is a roadmap for optimizing your Azure costs over time. Your plan should outline your cost management goals, the strategies and tactics you will use to achieve those goals, and the metrics you will use to track your progress.
  • Utilize Azure Cost Management tools: Azure provides tools and services to help organizations optimize costs, including Azure Cost Management, Azure Advisor, and the Azure Pricing Calculator. These tools can help you identify optimization opportunities, track your costs over time, and plan for future growth.
  • Use resource tagging: Resource tagging is a powerful tool for optimizing Azure costs. It allows you to assign metadata to your resources and track their usage and costs more granularly. This can help you identify and optimize underutilized or overutilized resources and allocate costs more effectively.
  • Optimize resource deployment: How you deploy resources in Azure can significantly impact your costs. To optimize your costs, consider using resource groups to manage and deploy resources more efficiently and leverage deployment automation tools like Azure Resource Manager templates to streamline resource deployment.
  1. Azure cost management tips:

In addition to the strategies and best practices mentioned above, there are several additional tips that organizations can follow to optimize their Azure costs:

  • Monitor your costs regularly: Monitoring your Azure costs can help you identify optimization opportunities and make changes to reduce your costs. Azure provides a range of tools and services, such as Azure Cost Management and Azure Advisor, that can help you to track your costs and identify areas for improvement.
  • Consider using reserved instances: Reserved instances can help you to save on Azure compute costs by allowing you to reserve capacity for your workloads at a discounted rate. When you purchase a reserved instance, you commit to using a specific computing capacity for a certain period in exchange for a discounted rate.
  • Use Azure Hybrid Benefit: Azure Hybrid Benefit is a licensing benefit that allows organizations with Windows Server and SQL Server licenses with Software Assurance to use their existing licenses to save on Azure compute costs. By leveraging Azure Hybrid Benefit, organizations can reduce their Azure compute costs by up to 55%.
  • Utilize Azure Cost Management policies: Azure Cost Management policies allow you to set rules and alerts to help you optimize your Azure costs. You can use policies to define budget thresholds, set alerts for when costs exceed a certain threshold and enforce resource tagging standards.
  • Use Azure Cost Management APIs: The Azure Cost Management APIs allow you to access your Azure cost and usage data programmatically, enabling you to build custom cost management solutions or integrate your Azure cost data with other tools and systems.
  1. Azure cost management tools – documents that can help:

Azure provides a range of documentation and resources to help organizations optimize their Azure costs, including:

  • Azure Cost Management: The Azure Cost Management tool and its documentation provide detailed information on how to use the Azure Cost Management platform, including how to track your costs, optimize your resource usage, and manage your Azure spending.
  • Azure Advisor: The Azure Advisor documentation provides information on using the Azure Advisor service to optimize your resources and reduce costs. The documentation includes information on how to use Advisor to identify optimization opportunities, get recommendations, and track the progress of your optimization efforts.
  • Azure pricing: The Azure pricing tool provides detailed information on the cost of Azure services, including pricing details for specific regions, resource sizes, and services. The documentation also includes Azure pricing plans, discounts, and billing options.
  1. Azure cost management pricing:

The cost of using Azure varies depending on the specific services and resources consumed. Azure offers a range of pricing plans and options to suit the needs of different organizations, including:

  • Pay-as-you-go pricing: With pay-as-you-go pricing, you pay for the specific Azure services and resources you consume based on the published rates. This pricing model is ideal for organizations with variable or unpredictable workloads or wanting the flexibility to scale their resources up or down as needed.
  • Commitment-based pricing: Commitment-based pricing allows you to purchase Azure services at a discounted rate in exchange for a commitment to use a certain number of resources over a specified period. This pricing model is ideal for organizations that have predictable or stable workloads and can commit to using a certain number of resources over a more extended period.
  • Azure Hybrid Benefit: Azure Hybrid Benefit is a licensing benefit that allows organizations with Windows Server and SQL Server licenses with Software Assurance to use their existing licenses to save on Azure compute costs. By leveraging Azure Hybrid Benefit, organizations can reduce their Azure compute costs by up to 55%.
  1. Azure cost management resources:

In addition to the documentation and tools mentioned above, there is a range of additional resources available to help organizations optimize their Azure costs, including:

  • Azure Cost Management blogs: The Azure Cost Management blog provides updates and best practices for optimizing Azure costs, case studies, and success stories from organizations that have successfully optimized their Azure costs.
  • Azure Cost Management webinars and training: Azure provides various webinars and training resources to help organizations learn more about Azure cost management and optimization. These resources include online courses, in-person training sessions, and virtual events.
  • Azure Cost Management Community: The Azure Cost Management community is a forum for Azure users to share best practices, ask questions, and connect with other users and experts. The community is a valuable resource for organizations seeking guidance and support on optimizing their Azure costs.
  • Azure Cost Management support: Azure provides a range of support options for organizations looking for help with Azure cost management. These options include online, phone, and support from Azure partners and third-party vendors.

By leveraging these resources and strategies, organizations can optimize their Azure costs and get the most value from their investment in the cloud.

 

Maximizing Your Microsoft Enterprise Agreement: A Guide to Optimizing Windows Licensing through Microsoft True-Up Support”

Posted on by Hailey Austin

Conducting Microsoft True-Ups is critical for organizations to maintain compliance with their Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) and ensure they only pay for the licenses they use. However, the True-Up process can be complex and challenging, requiring a deep understanding of Microsoft licensing rules, accurate inventory information, and accurate analysis of software deployments.

IT departments often face challenges determining the licenses required for Windows Server. Inventory information may be stored in multiple systems and tools, leading to missing sources or inaccuracies in the recorded data. The different licensing calculator tools and editions with varying license rules add to the complexity of license calculation. 

Determining the Edition

Accurate inventory information is crucial for creating a correct license position. However, traditional software asset management (SAM) tools may not have the capability to determine the edition installed, leading to assumptions during software audits that can be costly. Even if the tools accurately record information, the data may not always be up-to-date, especially with the addition of new devices to the network or changes in deployments.

One of the Biggest Challenges Faced

One of the biggest challenges in Microsoft True-Up is ensuring cost-effectiveness in licensing. IT departments may assign licenses to meet software contract compliance without considering alternative solutions. This results in overspending on licensing—like a Fortune 500 customer spending over $200,000 on Windows Server licenses for a cluster. The customer’s SAM tool and reseller calculated the number of licenses needed but failed to consider the specifics of the deployments. Further analysis showed that the cluster was a Linux cluster with a small percentage of Windows Servers, and the Windows licenses were for Commvault. By changing the Commvault configuration, the customer reduced their Windows licenses by $200,000.

Conducting a Microsoft True-Up requires expertise, tools, and resources to optimize Windows, saving time and money. An understanding of Microsoft licensing rules, accurate inventory information, how to install management tools, and effective analysis of software deployments are necessary to ensure compliance, cost-effectiveness, and the best return on investment in Microsoft licensing.

Optimize Their Windows Licensing with the Right Expertise and Tools

Annual True-Ups are required for organizations to maintain compliance with their EA and only pay for the licenses they use. The process can be complex and challenging, but organizations can optimize their Windows with the right expertise and tools, saving time and money. Whether working with a licensing expert or utilizing a service to support the True-Up process, organizations can be confident in the accuracy of their Microsoft licensing and the cost-effectiveness of their deployments. 

Ready to learn more? Speak to Us!

Want to learn more and level up your confidence regarding the accuracy of your Microsoft licensing and the cost-effectiveness of your deployment? Do you want to know about Microsoft licensing options or need answers to their related questions? Want the experts to answer your questions? Contact us! https://metrixdata360.com/contact-us/ 

Full logo White2 1 q4x81lwlsbtsww76umruhd5x0mp53yk25jqbwxg5om
Services
Software Asset Management Services
Software Audit Defense Services
Software Negotiation Services
Tools
About
Pricing
Learning Center
Contact

©2022 MetrixData 360. All rights reserved.

Terms and Conditions  |  Privacy  |  Accessibility  |  Cookies