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and then went in all sorts of interesting rabbit holes. 

Link on the CUR data pipeline open source tool: https://ecos-labs.io/

Merry Christmas everyone and see you in 2026

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In this episode, SteveO and Frank discuss the latest updates in cloud computing, focusing on AWS and Azure innovations. They cover new features in EC2, Lambda, and Workspaces, as well as advancements in data management and AI. The conversation also highlights cost management tools and strategies, flexible cost allocation, and storage solutions. The hosts emphasize the importance of FinOps in managing cloud costs and conclude with insights into future developments in cloud technology.

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In this interview with Nic Guerra, the unortodox accountant, Stephen an Frank learn about a new type of accounting...cost accounting. Frank never heard the term before.  The biggest learning: cost is proactive. 

The conversation delves into the critical distinction between cost and spend, emphasizing the need for a deeper analysis of variances in financial management. It highlights the importance of recognizing inefficiencies as opportunities for improvement, particularly in the context of cloud computing and resource allocation.

Takeaways

• Cost is not the same as a spend.
• There shouldn't be a taboo about inefficiencies.
• Understanding variances can lead to better financial decisions.
• Financial management requires a nuanced understanding of costs.

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In this episode of What's New in Cloud FinOps, hosts SteveO and Frank discuss the latest updates from the TBM conference, then moving on to their usual FinOps news, with many AWS news: new EC2 instances, cost management innovations, and sustainability initiatives in cloud services. They explore the implications of Lambda billing changes, real-time bidding technology, and the evolving landscape of cloud financial management training.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Conference Insights
02:07 AWS News Highlights
06:45 New EC2 Instances and Performance Improvements
10:41 Data Management and Optimization Tools
14:07 Storage Innovations and Cost Efficiency
18:34 Capacity Management and Kubernetes Integration
21:57 Pricing Changes and Licensing Optimization
27:39 Emerging Technologies and Cost Savings
28:46 AWS RTB Fabric for Real-Time Advertising
30:50 AWS Service Availability Updates
33:19 Sunsetting AWS Services
34:41 Amazon Q Developer: Cost Management Tool
38:27 Kronos 2: Advanced Forecasting Model
39:20 Upcoming FinOps Sessions at reInvent 2025
41:30 GCP Anomaly Detection Features
43:19 Azure's Environmental Sustainability Features
44:54 AWS Customer Carbon Footprint Tool Update
46:21 New FinOps Training Courses

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In this episode of What's New in Cloud FinOps, Stephen Old and Frank discuss the latest updates in cloud computing, including AWS Outposts' integration with third-party storage, new Amazon EC2 Mac instances, Azure's managed services, and Google Cloud VM Engine updates. 

They also explore pricing changes in Azure, the deprecation of Azure Machine Learning data labeling, and the introduction of new metrics in software development. The conversation highlights the importance of sustainability in cloud services and concludes with reflections on the podcast's five-year anniversary.

Takeaways

• AWS Outposts now supports third-party storage integration with Dell and HPE.
• Amazon EC2 introduces new Mac instances for developers.
• Azure managed services now include Grafana dashboards at no extra cost.
• Google Cloud VM Engine V1 SKUs are now end of sale.
• Azure UltraDisk pricing has been reduced significantly in specific regions.
• Azure Machine Learning data labeling will be deprecated by 2026.
• AWS Transform Assessment helps visualize storage migration benefits.
• New cost to serve software metric introduced by AWS.
• Cortex Framework now deploys sustainability modules for SAP.
• AWS Lambda cold start billing changes will take effect in 2025.

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Short episode packed with so many ideas and thoughts. 

In this episode, Frank Contrepois and Stephen Old engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Erik Norman about the principles of FinOps, particularly focusing on the Iron Triangle of project management. 

They explore the limitations of the Iron Triangle, emphasizing the importance of quality and speed in achieving project goals. The conversation also highlights the necessity of education in cloud engineering, the challenges of serverless architectures, and the misconceptions surrounding vendor lock-in in cloud solutions. The episode is rich with insights and practical advice for professionals in the FinOps and cloud engineering space.

Takeaways

• The Iron Triangle is useful but has limited applicability.
• Quality and speed can coexist without sacrificing cost efficiency.
• Education is crucial for optimizing cloud costs.
• Serverless architectures may not always be the most efficient choice.
• Vendor lock-in is often misunderstood; it exists in many forms.
• Effective communication between teams is essential for project success.
• Prioritization in FinOps should consider urgency and importance.
• Hackathons can foster innovation and efficiency in engineering teams.
• Cloud-native tools can simplify legacy migration processes.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are key in cloud environments.

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In this episode of What's New in Cloud FinOps, hosts SteveO and Frank discuss the latest advancements in cloud FinOps, including Amazon's new EC2 P6EGB200 Ultra Servers, cloud migration strategies, and innovations in data management and storage. They also explore cost management techniques, pricing changes, and the impact of AI on troubleshooting and monitoring. The conversation wraps up with a call for engaging discussions with listeners.

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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.