Explore every episode of the podcast What's new in Cloud FinOps?
Dive into the complete episode list for What's new in Cloud FinOps?. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
Compute Engine - Generally available: Managed instance groups (MIGs) let you create pools of suspended and stopped virtual machine (VM) instances. You can manually suspend and stop VMs in a MIG to save on costs, or use suspended and stopped pools to speed up scale out operations of your MIG. For more information, see About suspending and stopping VMs in a MIG.
Data/DBs/AI
Azure OpenAI provisioned reservations (June - but not sure we mentioned it)
With the introduction of 1-month and 1-year Provisioned Reservations, businesses that commit to using Azure OpenAI on a scale can enjoy substantial discounts compared to the standard pay-as-you-go pricing. You can manage these reservations in Cost analysis in the same way as any other reservation.
For further details on how to purchase and manage these reservations, please refer to the article below:
Generally available: Azure NetApp Files now supports minimum volume size of 50 GiB.
Generally Available: Azure Files provisioned v2 billing model for HDD (Standard) - (Added to Roadmap 8th Jan 2025 - but released in October 24) The provisioned v2 model for Azure Files HDD (standard) pairs predictability of total cost of ownership with flexibility, allowing you to create a file share that meets your exact storage and performance requirements. Provisioned v2 shares enable independent provisioning of storage, IOPS, and throughput. In addition to predictable pricing and flexible provisioning, provisioned v2 also enables increased scale and performance, up to 256 TiB, 50,000 IOPS, and 5 GiB/sec of throughput; and per share monitoring. Provisioned v2 is generally available in a subset of regions. For the current list of available regions, see provisioned v2 availability.
In this chat, Frank, Stephen, and Anthony share their thoughts on how cloud computing and AI have evolved from 2024 to 2025.
They discuss the growth in the GPU market and how views on cloud versus on-premises solutions have changed. They also talk about the quality and performance of AI models and consider the environmental impact of AI. The group highlights the need for specialized AI models and the efficiency of the hardware used in AI applications. They wrap up with some insights into future trends in cloud instances and pricing.
In their chat, the speakers look at how AMD and Intel processors perform. They also discuss the future of ARM and Graviton technologies. Finally, they touch on the shifting world of cloud computing. They examine the competition among major cloud providers, such as AWS and Microsoft. They also highlight how important it is to be transparent in cloud operations, especially when comparing European and American providers. Here are the key takeaways.
The GPU market saw a significant increase in providers in 2024.
Many organisations are reconsidering their cloud strategies due to pricing and privacy concerns over AI.
AI adoption is still in its early stages for many companies.
Quality of AI models has plateaued, with a few major players dominating the market.
Training models in the cloud may not be the best solution for everyone.
Specialised AI models are becoming increasingly important.
The environmental impact of AI and cloud computing is a growing concern.
Efficiency in hardware usage is crucial for AI applications.
Transparency in cloud provider operations varies significantly between vendors.
The cloud market is stabilizing, with slower growth rates observed.
Energy consumption and cost are critical factors.
Benchmarking is essential for understanding cloud performance.
The competitive landscape among cloud providers is shifting, with pricing diverging.
In this episode, Frank and Steve discuss the July 2024 FinOps announcements from AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. They cover topics such as committed use discounts, fully licensed commitments, hibernation for VMs, cost management features, and service discontinuations. The conversation is filled with insights and analysis of the latest developments in the cloud industry.
There are new machine types available on GCP, such as the C3 bare metal machine types and the sixth generation Intel-based VMs.
Serverless compute options, like Azure Databricks and OpenSearch serverless, provide efficient and cost-effective ways to run workloads without managing infrastructure.
Storage enhancements, such as the Convert Azure Premium SSD v2 disk and Amazon FSX for Open ZFS, offer improved performance and cost optimization.
Log management tools, like Azure Monitor Logs and AWS Cost Categories, help users collect, analyze, and act on telemetry data from various resources.
Cost optimization features, like AWS Focus 1.0 and GCP backup commitment-based use discounts, provide ways to optimize cloud spending. Committed use discounts are available for backup for GKE, allowing users to commit to a consistent amount of usage in exchange for a discounted rate.
AWS now offers fully licensed commitments and portable license commitments for purchasing VMware engine commitments, providing customers with more options for using VMware in the cloud.
VM hibernation is now generally available in Azure and AWS, allowing users to save compute costs by persisting the VM state in memory and deallocating the VM.
Azure has introduced a cost card in the portal, allowing engineers to estimate costs and adjust as needed before deploying VMs.
Google Cloud's FinOps Hub now allows users to view their carbon footprint and estimated greenhouse gas emissions for their Google Cloud usage.
AWS has announced the discontinuation of several services, including Cloud9, SimpleDB, Forecast, and CodeCommit, indicating a shift in focus and priorities.
SteveO and Frank sat down with Mel, a PwC engineer, to talk about what it's like to be an engineer and the hurdles they face.
They dug into her daily routine - from stand-up meetings to ticket management and making time to focus. They also explored how random meetings can kill productivity and the importance of debugging. They touched on cool topics like pair programming, mob programming, and using tools like Stack Overflow and Git branches.
This conversation is all about giving you a peek into an engineer's daily life and challenges. Mel shared her experience working with a bunch of tools and systems, including VDI, email, chat, Kubernetes, OpenLens, Terraform, Angular, React, Node, YAML, JSON, and Python. She explained how her team shares info about their system through tickets and updates in JIRA.
Then, they talked about the struggles of saving money and how it's often overlooked in engineering roles. Mel and the hosts agreed that finance and engineering teams need to communicate better and work together. They also stressed the importance of prioritizing and getting feedback.
WNiCF - Interview with Dr James Mitchell - Financial language in FinOps and isomorphic economies
"An isomorphism is the fancy maths word for an analogy." - Dr James Mitchell
Dr. James Mitchell, a commodities trading and renewable energy expert, joins Stephen and Frank to discuss FinOps financial language. He draws parallels between cloud computing and electricity economies, offering insights into future trends. The conversation explores market differences and the need for finance-engineering collaboration.
James decodes cloud vendors' technical jargon, revealing financial roots. "Savings plans" and "reserved instances" are actually forward contracts. The discussion then shifts to unit economics' universal applicability across industries.
Optionality and flexibility emerge as key considerations in cloud pricing. The hosts emphasize managing commitments like a financial portfolio for optimal outcomes. This approach bridges the gap between technical and financial perspectives in cloud operations.
Key takeaways:
Understanding financial language and communicating with finance professionals is crucial in FinOps.
One can apply the concept of isomorphic economies to the cloud market to gain insights into its evolution and economics.
Regulating the global cloud computing industry is challenging due to its global nature and lack of a competent authority.
Better communication between finance and engineering teams is essential in FinOps. Building bridges between finance and engineering teams is crucial for effective communication and collaboration.
A common language and understanding of financial terms is beneficial for both teams to work together effectively.
Unit economics is a fundamental concept in finance and can be applied to various industries.
Considering optionality and flexibility in pricing strategies is crucial for optimizing cost efficiency.
Managing commitments as a portfolio can lead to better financial outcomes.
In this episode of What's New in Cloud FinOps, we (Frank and Stephen) discuss the latest news and updates in cloud computing impacting your wallet.
We cover topics such as right-sizing recommendations for Amazon RDS, data exports for cost optimization, and improved billing and cost management. We also highlight talks from FinOps X in San Diego and share their favourite sessions.
Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the latest developments in cloud FinOps, including a rant from Stephen on the hardship that is finding good content for Azure.
WNiCF - Interview with TJ and Deana Solis - The social aspects of FinOps
In this live episode, recorded at FinOps X 2024, we speak with TJ and Deana Solis about the social aspects of FinOps.
It is a real live episode with microphones not working, music being turned on, bar opening and more. I also had to use a 'beep' sound for the first time.
WNiCF - Interview with Izhak Zimmermann - I don't believe in tagging
Izhak "I don't believe in tagging" Zimmermann discusses with Stephen and Frank about the importance of focusing on business value in the context of FinOps, emphasising the need to understand cloud costs within the context of business goals. He introduces a new approach to FinOps that leverages new technology and insights to support business goals and drive business value. The conversation covers the challenges of understanding cloud costs, the use of networking data to understand costs, and the transformation of cost data into business value data.
Summary In this episode of What's New in Cloud FinOps, Frank and Stephen discuss a wide range of cloud-related news and updates. They cover topics such as Azure VM hibernation, Azure Compute Fleet, Google Cloud TPU, Amazon EC2 C7i Flex, DynamoDB, AWS Marketplace, Cloud Run, and more. The conversation also delves into the complexities of cloud pricing, energy progress, and the impact of cloud technology on businesses.
WNiCF - Interview with Mike Stephenson - Azure Free tier and other
In this episode, Steve, Frank and Mike discuss the benefits of using the free tier in Microsoft Azure. They explore the various free offerings available, such as Azure Cosmos DB, Azure DevOps, and speech-to-text translation. They also discuss the importance of monitoring costs and implementing processes to prevent unexpected expenses. Mike shares insights on cost optimization for Cosmos DB and announces an upcoming video on the topic.
In this episode, Frank and Steve discuss the latest news from Google, Azure, and AWS.
They cover topics such as new instance types, ARM-based CPUs, storage options, cost optimization, and Kubernetes cost allocation. The conversation also touches on the challenges of reducing storage and the importance of billing cost data in Cloud FinOps.
In this conversation, Steve and Frank discuss various updates and announcements from different cloud providers. They cover topics such as multiple cloud vendors providing a focused view, cost anomaly detection with AI, maximizing committed use discounts, per-second billing for Red Hat Enterprise Linux instances, migration vs modernization for data workloads, license portability in Amazon WorkSpaces, and Google's investment in digital connectivity to Japan.
They also mention the upcoming episode on the free tier game in Azure and their attendance at FinOps X.
WNiCF - Interview with Rob Martin - The Updated FinOps Framework
This month we talk about the FinOps Framework. The Framework has been vastly improved and updated to match what FinOps practitioners are doing, in the tranches.
Who better than Rob Martin to guide us into the Framework? No-one. And we like him so much that he is the first returning interviewee.
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In this episode, we (SteveO and Frank) interview Rob Martin from the FinOps Foundation to discuss the recent updates to the FinOps framework.
We talk about the process of updating the framework, the changes made to the domains and capabilities, and the importance of simplifying the language.
We also discuss the first steps for organizations and individuals new to FinOps, including using the framework sub-site and conducting a maturity assessment.
The conversation also touches on the significance of visibility and transparency in building trust within the organization, the different personas involved in FinOps a new type of persona called 'allies'
The conversation also touches on the upcoming changes to the framework, including updates to the certifications and training. We introduce some of the FinOps upcoming events, including the Members' Summit, FinOps X, and FinOps XE.
A little late, but as they say, better late than never. You can provide feedback, ideas, proposals for interviews at send us an email at podcast@finopsguys.co.uk
Have a fantastic 2025 and January
WNiCF - Interview with Steve Trask - The State of FinOps
In this episode, Steve Trask, VP of Marketing at the FinOps Foundation, discusses the State of FinOps report and the insights gained from four years of research.
They explore topics such as team structure, automation, executive buy-in, and the evolving priorities of FinOps practitioners. They also touch on the challenges of measuring the value of the FinOps team and the growing importance of sustainability in cloud operations.
The conversation highlights the need for focus and prioritization in FinOps practices and the impact of economic factors on cloud optimization.
The conversation explores the challenges of budget allocation and accountability in large organizations, particularly in the context of cloud spending. It highlights the difficulty of breaking down budgets and creating visibility at the team level.
The speakers discuss the gap between accountability and responsibility for spend and the struggle to implement changes as organizations scale. They also touch on the importance of cultural change and the need for champions within the organization to drive FinOps practices. The conversation concludes with a discussion of upcoming events and the global adoption of FinOps.
Keywords FinOps, State of FinOps, team structure, automation, executive buy-in, priorities, sustainability, focus, economic factors, cloud optimization, budget allocation, accountability, cloud spending, team level breakdowns, cultural change, champions, upcoming events, global adoption
This month Stephen and Frank are interviewing Dimitris Perdikou from the UK Home Office.
The topic is Gamification, but, as often, it grew beyond its original scope. Dimitris made us feel good with the work done making sure taxpayer money is well spent.
In the process, we discussed two new metrics for unit economics specific to the public sector.
An episode about FinOps in 2023. What are the themes that shaped FinOps and Cloud? What events, big or small, are defining what we will see in 2024?
We talk about client behaviour and why repatriation is a thing. We dive into the strategic decisions made by cloud vendors in 2023 and their impact on the market, including price increases, and changes in products. We cover the incredible progress of FinOps and the FinOps Foundation in 2023. And, as everyone else, We talked about AI (a little). The ending is a hopeful prediction that sustainability will take off in 2024.
We (Frank Contrepois and Stephen Old) needed some help, so we called in the incredibly knowledgeable Lucas Partore to provide some credibility :)
Loads and loads of AWS news coming from re:Invent for November. And this month we have Frank having to evacuate the building due to a fire alarm; nothing real, fortunately.
Frank and Stephen have gone through everything that has a financial impact and quickly try to tell you why it may matter to you and your organisation.
Send you feedback, ideas, invitations or any other thing you want to talk about at: podcast@finopsguys.co.uk
Another great interview, this time with Assaf Flatto.
This is the three of us showing what being part of a growing community is about: we share, we debate, and in the end, FinOps is a more mature discipline.
Send you feedback, ideas, invitations or any other thing you want to talk about at: podcast@finopsguys.co.uk
In this episode, Frank and SteveO reflect on the year's developments in cloud computing, discussing significant updates from AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
Cloud vendor announces new instance types every month, and the content of the announcement is always the same: "The new instance is faster, shinier and cheaper than the previous one."
But is it true? And what about other instances in the same generation but with different CPU vendors? Anthony tests it all. He checks every new instance appearing in one of the 200 (yes, that is two hundred) cloud vendors he follows and shares the data on Cloud Mercato.
In this episode, Stephen and I have discovered many new things, smashed some assumptions and enjoyed the power of data.
Some links connected with the episode:
AMD versus Intel in the latest AWS generation: AWS M7i & M7a
Is the new AWS R7zi so much better than the non-z version?
Frank and Stephen go through the plethora of news from AWS, Azure and GCP for July 2023. A lot of updates this month. Frank and Stephen have gone through everything that has a financial impact and quickly try to tell you why it may matter to you and your organisation.
Based on the audio, it might sound as if Frank is in a small wooden box; you would be almost correct, as the small meeting room I was in is horrible from a sound perspective.
Frank and Stephen go through the plethora of news from AWS, Azure and GCP for June 2023. A lot of updates this month. Frank and Stephen have gone through everything that has a financial impact and quickly try to tell you why it may matter to you and your organisation.
WNiCF - Interview with Steph Gooch and Marit Hughes during FinOps X - When do you start FinOps?
Frank and Stephen go through the plethora of news from AWS, Azure and GCP for May 2023. The most updates we've seen from the vendors in a while, Frank and Stephen have gone through everything that has a financial impact and quickly try to tell you why it may matter to you and your organisation.
Going to FinOps X? Come speak to us there and if you fancy doing an episode or a short story/interview we'd love to get you on the podcast!
In this episode, Frank and SteveO discuss the latest updates in cloud computing for October 2024, covering significant announcements from AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. They delve into new features, pricing changes, and innovations in cost management, data storage, and AI integration. The conversation also highlights insights from the recent FinOps XE conference, emphasizing the evolving landscape of FinOps and sustainability in cloud operations.
WNiCF - Interview with Marit Hughes - Public/Private Sector comparisons
Is FinOps the same in every organisation? Absolutely not! It varies massively by organisation but also by sector. This month Frank and Steve catch up with long time friend of Frank's (and new time friend of Steve) Marit Hughes.
Marit brings her expansive knowledge and experience to help bring some colour to the differing challenges of FinOps in private sector and public sector as well as discussing that Enterprises in terms of how they act, often live somewhere in between!
Frank and Steve dive into what's new in March 2023, with some cool stuff in AWS and Azure and even digging deep into the release notes of google to find some more cool things.
The episode is topped off by learning about some of Frank's really cool research, and for our native French listeners, look out for Frank's new French version of the news!
A fantastic episode with our friend Deana Solis, a senior FinOps Engineer who is heavily involved in the FinOps Foundation and Women in FinOps. She tells the story of "Woman" in FinOps and also her career in general.
A really down to earth individual, Deana lets us in to the realities of her journey and why the linear career isn't the most interesting!
WNiCF - Getting Engineers to take action with Bartosz Kupiecki
This month we're joined by our friend Bartosz Kupiecki, the Head of FinOps at IncreDevo.
Their team saw the issue, and attacked it with an engineering mindset, building a tool to manage the process. In this podcast we learn about their journey and how they attacked the problem.
We've all been there, we all know the pains, it's great to hear from someone who really attacked the problem and has felt the pains.
Stephen and Frank dive into the latest news from FinOps in February, as well as a bit of a discussion on Azures FX changes that have increased customers pricing.
We also look at the changes to Azure RIs.
Actually as a whole there's a lot less AWS on this episode and quite a lot more Azure and GCP! Well worth a listen.
WNiCF - What's new in January - 2023 (Better late than never...)
This month we talk about everything that was new in January from the cloud vendors (which sadly wasn't loads) and go through the potential benefits or ramifications.
We also discuss our addition of a new sustainability section and will work to find interesting articles on this topic too (beyond the cloud vendors).
Apologies it's a bit late, between holidays and sick kids, we've been a bit delayed.
WNiCF Interview with Tom Cross - FinOps in action - The Migration
This month Erik Carlin of ProsperOps joins Steve and Frank in discussing metrics for FinOps, specifically focussing on Effective Savings Rate (ESR).
With a history of how it came about as well as where to find more information their to support the community, Erik shows his wealth of knowledge in the FinOps world.
This month, we talk with Dvir and discuss integrating engineering principles into FinOps to manage cloud costs effectively. We stress proactive cost management, trust in recommendations, and understanding business context. We also cover the challenges of cost observability, utilized waste, and monitoring resources.
Some takeaways
Proactive involvement in cost management leads to better outcomes.
Language and communication are crucial in discussing costs with engineers.
Trust in recommendations is essential for effective FinOps practices.
Understanding the business context is key to identifying waste.
Maturity in organizational policies enhances accountability.
Cost observability is a critical aspect of FinOps.
Engineers should be made responsible for their resource usage.
Effective communication can drive better financial decisions in tech
Frank and Steve lament on trips to Vegas over the years, with Frank going to this year's Re:invent again in person.
We discuss our favourite bits of news (which was quite a lot) and you may notice that while in the Keynotes Sustainability was discussed a lot, not much comes across in the latest releases.
We even have updates from Steve's favourite AWS service he'll never use and a lot more instance types than we can shake a stick at!
Thanks for listening and please have a wonderful end of 2022!
WNiCF - November News - GCP Flex CUDS and technical sound fails by Steve!
In our latest news episode, we round up everything that's happened outside of Re:invent in November (Special Re:invent Episode to follow). We also discuss some changes to the format, our new website (yet to launch) and our ongoing aim to share our learning and research.
Please see Transcript for list of all of the articles used this month.
Special Guest - Mark Butcher - Sustainability/GreenOps - How do you get started?