DevOps managed services can come in many forms. Sure there is the infrastructure as code, code reduction, and consulting side of things, but there are also underlying DevOps processes that also support business requirements and goals.
One of these in the managed services space is cloud infrastructure cost optimization. Cloud platform use continues to become more mainstream, which is one of the reasons it has become one of the biggest managed DevOps tools in the service offering arsenal.
As much as it may factor into the software development life cycle and other elements of the support process, not paying attention to the way it’s used can lead to glaring inefficiencies over time.
Below is a brief look at how your DevOps managed service provider fits into your strategic puzzle as well as some useful information to have as far as cloud infrastructure maintenance and cost optimization goes.
The Importance of a DevOps Managed Service to the Software Development Lifecycle
Continuous integration and service delivery are two of the cornerstone of a DevOps as a service offering. You want to be able to have source code deployed as quickly as possible while having the lowest possible effort and time requirement.
You will need a software delivery foundation rooted in cost optimization, container orchestration, infrastructure as code, consulting, and more.
Having this kind of continuous delivery come from a managed services provider means that you get the expertise and functionality you want without needing to worry about the overhead that comes with staffing.
Why the Managed Services Team Needs to Optimize Cloud Infrastructure Costs
As indicated before, the cloud has largely become a part of the toolset development teams will use to achieve your business objectives. A big part of the project management approach is cost optimization.
After all, you don’t want to be stuck paying for what you aren’t even using, do you? For simplicity, imagine deploying a server in the cloud for one of your core processes, but only using 10% of the processing power and storage capacity of that server.
You will still end up paying for the whole server even though you aren’t using it all. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to have the system sized more appropriately based on your usage needs?
This kind of thinking is why a modern DevOps approach to application development needs to think about streamlining costs.
Learn how DevOps Managed Services can help you save big.
How Managed DevOps Services Approach Cost Optimization
Technically speaking, there are several layers to this cost management approach. What you’re seeing here is an outline of some of the most important elements.
Constant Monitoring
There needs to be consistent and proactive remote monitoring of the systems that support the application development process in the cloud. One element of things is the monitoring of the systems themselves from a functionality aspect so it becomes possible to respond to anomalies and minimize downtime.
From another perspective, however, regardless of what the projections may have been, there needs to be monitoring of usage metrics during both slow and peak periods so adjustments can be made as necessary.
Forecasting
Forecasting will also be another essential puzzle piece, especially for a company that has a culture of continuous development as time goes on. With the use of historical data and industry expertise, it becomes possible to establish projections of what operations in the cloud will be expected to look like.
Of course, you know that forecasts, while being backed by numbers and data, are statements of expectations. They give you a foundation that can be used for planning, but it’s entirely possible that they will be different from reality, and the necessary adjustments must be made.
Thankfully, with a reputable managed services team in the mix, identifying the need for the said adjustments and making them should be a breeze.
Planning
With all the internal resources dedicated to forecasting and penciling out data, the operations team must then plan effectively for the needs of the business. What kinds of service offerings from the cloud platform will be necessary?
If there are databases to be used, do they need to be hosted on servers, or is there a relational database service that is more efficient to use? Perhaps you may find that the use of containers is the best approach for service delivery to your customers.
Managed services DevOps teams are there to ensure that you make the most optimal decisions to walk the line between functionality and cost.
Cloud Composition
A part of the cost optimization process is deciding on your cloud approach. Maybe you already have several physical systems in place that would make a hybrid cloud approach the most cost-effective.
Alternatively, maybe a software-as-a-service platform would help you save more than going for an infrastructure-as-a-service setup and needing to pay for the underlying cloud systems as a direct cost.
Perhaps you have no infrastructure, and the best cost scenario is having all your core operations running in the public cloud as an opex approach is more feasible than a capex approach.
Review Intervals
Deployment processes can see changes over time. Your resource utilization today is not necessarily going to be the same six months or a year down the line. The managed services team is also expected to review the state of usage and continuously optimize costs as your needs and as the available technology changes.
Maybe it may become increasingly possible to automate processes that were once handled manually.
How Do You Know That Cloud Infrastructure Cost Optimization Is Needed?
Your managed services provider is meant to consistently evaluate things and suggest cost optimizations where possible. Be that as it may, some of the telltale signs that the state of operations needs to be reviewed are:
1. Obvious performance issues that are affecting business operations
2. A lack of visibility or understanding of the full picture of cloud cost centers
3. The presence of underutilized resources in the cloud
4. A consistent increase in cloud costs without any known growth or increase in usage
5. Challenges in scaling up or scaling out cloud resources as necessary.
What Kinds of Cloud Management Tools Help in Keeping Costs Optimized?
In many cases, it helps to have tools in your cloud environment solely dedicated to right-sizing, performance monitoring, and other elements of optimizing cloud costs. Here are 10 of the best ones:
1. nOps
2. Amazon Cloudwatch
3. IBM Turbonomic
4. Zesty
5. AWS Budgets
6. Nutanix Cloud Manager
7. Cast AI
8. Uniskai
9. Densify
10. Site24x7
Final Remarks
The software deployment process will often call for high dependence on the cloud. This can be quite advantageous, provided that the associated costs are managed effectively.
A managed services DevOps team is meant to provide efficiency and reduce wastage, and this will include cloud cost optimization using the strategies highlighted above.
Learn how DevOps Managed Services can help you save big.
