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In this episode, Frank and SteveO cover the latest cloud updates that matter for FinOps practitioners:

• Compute & AI: AWS launches the P6e GB200 Ultra Servers, delivering record-breaking GPU performance for training and inference at trillion-parameter scale. Google announces FlexStart VMs to lower inference costs, while Azure rolls out free AWS-to-Azure Blob migration.
• Storage & Data: Google introduces editable backup plans, and AWS adds tagging support for S3 Express One Zone—a step toward using tags as operational levers, not just reporting tools.
• Visibility & Optimization: AWS Transform enhances EBS cost analysis and .NET modernization insights. GCP improves billing exports with spend-based CUD metadata in BigQuery and previews a Cost Explorer for better spend tracking.
• Pricing & Commitments: AWS Connect introduces per-day pricing for external voice connectors. Google expands flexible CUDs to cover Cloud Run services, with full migration to the new model coming in January 2026.
• Savings & Compliance: Azure Firewall adds ingestion-time log transformations to cut monitoring costs. AWS Audit Manager improves evidence collection, reducing compliance overhead and spend.
• AI-assisted Operations: AWS debuts MCP servers for S3 Tables, CloudWatch, and Application Signals—enabling AI-driven data access, troubleshooting, and observability. Plus, QuickSight doubles SPICE datasets to 2B rows.

As always, we cut through the noise to focus on the FinOps impact—cost, commitments, compliance, and the growing role of AI in managing the cloud.

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Join us, Stephen Old and Frank Contrepois as we valiantly record the June 2025 news episode of “What’s New in Cloud FinOps"; this time, indoors and largely free of wildlife interruptions. In this news-packed update, we tackle the latest cloud cost and optimisation news from AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Expect witty repartee as we dissect everything from Azure’s flexible memory to Google’s enhanced forecasting models, and even the curious case of the disappearing Microsoft Focus 1.2 schema. Along the way, you’ll learn about Athena’s improved query result management, Dataproc’s zero-scale clusters, and the existential dread of forgotten EBS snapshots.

Whether you’re a FinOps expert, a cloud enthusiast, or simply enjoy hearing two experts try to outdo each other (and occasionally their own tech), this episode is your monthly dose of cloud cost clarity; with a side of British sarcasm. Tune in for news, numbers, and the occasional existential crisis.

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In this conversation, Frank Contrepois, Stephen Old, and Rich Gibbons explore the complexities of Software as a Service (SaaS) along with Financial Operations (FinOps) and IT Asset Management (ITAM). They talk about how software licensing has evolved and the challenges of managing SaaS consumption. Security and data management in a SaaS setting are also discussed. The conversation highlights the different views of ITAM and FinOps on SaaS. They consider how SaaS affects procurement models and the future of collaboration between these areas.

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In this episode of What's New in Cloud FinOps, Stephen Old and Frank Contrepois talk about the latest in cloud computing in May 2025. 

They focus on Azure, AWS, and GCP. They share their experiences at FinOps X (FOX) and discuss new features and public previews. They also explore topics like database innovations, cost management, AI integration, and sustainability in cloud services. Their conversation shows how cloud technology is evolving and why it's important to stay updated on new developments.

Link to some videos from Microsoft

• Microsoft Cost Management—Overview in the Azure portal     
• Microsoft Cost Management—Cost Analysis in the Azure portal (part 1)
• Microsoft Cost Management—Cost Analysis in the Azure portal (part 2)
• Microsoft Cost Management—Creating Budgets and Alerts
• Microsoft Cost Management—Exporting your Cost Data with Scheduled Exports
• Manage Azure OpenAI Service Provisioned Reservations

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April 2025 news. A lot of news for you, dear listener, from Google, AWS and Azure

Takeaway by the ai

• The FinOps News podcast targets hardcore FinOps enthusiasts.
• Conflict can lead to better team dynamics and outcomes.
• Azure's VM hibernation feature offers cost-efficient workload management.
• Amazon EC2 introduces high-performance storage optimized instances.
• Bare metal instances provide significant performance improvements.
• Prompt optimization in Amazon Bedrock enhances AI model performance.
• AWS Database Migration Service now supports automatic storage scaling.
• Cloud gaming may benefit from new GPU instance offerings.
• The importance of feedback in improving cloud services is emphasized.
• The podcast aims to provide in-depth insights into cloud technology. Amazon S3 has significantly reduced its storage and request prices.
• Google Cloud's FinOps Hub 2.0 offers new tools for cost management.
• GKE now provides insights to optimize resource requests and limits.
• Azure AKS cost recommendations help identify savings opportunities.
• Google Cloud's backup services now support DB2 databases.
• Amazon Redshift introduces serverless reservations for cost predictability.
• AWS CodeBuild enhancements allow for better resource configuration.
• Microsoft Cost Management has improved export functionalities.
• Microsoft Copilot in Azure offers tailored prompts for cost analysis.
• Azure Static Web Apps will discontinue dedicated pricing plans.

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In this episode, Frank and Stephen talk with Udam about the changing world of FinOps. They focus on the challenges organizations face in managing cloud costs and data accuracy. Udam shares insights from his vast experience in the field. He highlights the need for data standardization, the role of data engineering, and ongoing investment in FinOps practices. 

The conversation also explores innovative solutions like Stitcher AI, which aim to simplify data management and improve decision-making in financial operations. The speakers dive into the complexities of FinOps, stressing the need to understand fully loaded costs. They discuss engaging teams in cost allocation and the importance of contextualized data for informed decisions. 

They address issues in traditional cost management and how new tools can democratize access to financial insights. These tools help organizations of all sizes optimize cloud spending and boost operational efficiency.

Sound Bites

• "We don't keep any of the data."
• "We have to be really accurate with our costs."
• "You cost double your salary to the company"
• "Cost allocation is hugely important for FinOps"
• "FinOps has to be a bi-directional interaction"

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In this episode of What's New in Cloud Phenops, Stephen Old and Frank discuss the latest updates in cloud computing, focusing on Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS. They cover the retirement of certain Azure virtual machines, the introduction of serverless GPUs, and the benefits of Amazon Bedrock for cost transparency. The conversation also touches on new features for Azure databases, insights from a Forrester study on Spanner, and the importance of calculating AI costs. Additionally, they discuss licensing changes for Amazon FSX, tiered storage for Spanner, and the deprecation of the AWS connector to Azure. The episode concludes with a look at sustainability efforts and upcoming events in the cloud computing space.

takeaways

• Serverless GPUs enable on-demand AI workloads with automatic scaling.
• Amazon Bedrock introduces real-time cost transparency for custom models.
• Physical snapshots for Azure databases enhance backup flexibility.
• Forrester study shows significant ROI with Spanner.
• Understanding AI costs on Google Cloud is crucial for budgeting.
• Amazon FSX for NetApp removes SnapLock licensing fees.
• Tiered storage for Spanner optimizes cost and performance.
• AWS connector to Azure is deprecated, focusing on native solutions.
• Azure OpenAI service offers discounts for provisioned reservations.

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In this conversation, Amit Saar shares his journey from software engineering at Microsoft to founding OpenOps. He focuses on the challenges and solutions in FinOps. He highlights the need for automation, accountability, and balancing innovation with governance in managing cloud costs. 

Amit points out the fatigue that engineering managers face due to overwhelming demands. He stresses the need for better tools and practices to streamline FinOps processes. The discussion also covers the challenges of automating FinOps, the role of no-code platforms, and the importance of community engagement through open sourcing.

Topics include the fragmentation of systems in enterprises and the advantages of a no-code approach for automation. Amit discusses monetization strategies for sustaining an open-source model. The conversation wraps up with practical advice on getting started with OpenOps.

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In this episode, Stephen Old and Frank Contrepois discuss the latest updates in cloud FinOps. With news from AWS, Google and Azure, including enhanced computing capabilities, database updates, and pricing changes.

For once there are also some sustainability news. That makes me happy!

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• We discussed the challenges of working with time series data, particularly in the context of machine learning and AI, highlighting the complexity and the need for automation in feature engineering. 
  
  
• The importance of balancing accuracy and complexity in model creation was emphasized, with a focus on avoiding overfitting and ensuring models remain effective in real-world applications. 
  
  
• The potential integration of business context data, such as sales data, with cloud consumption data to enhance anomaly detection and forecasting models was proposed. 
  
  
• The discussion touched on the economic value of anomaly detection, with a focus on proving that early detection can lead to significant cost savings. 
  
  
• The target audience for the anomaly detection system was identified as FinOps managers, who would use the system to manage cloud-related financial topics and coordinate with engineers to address anomalies.