What's new in Cloud FinOps?

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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.

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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

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In this episode, Frank and SteveO celebrate four years of their podcast while discussing the latest advancements in Cloud FinOps, including Amazon's new EC2 Graviton instances, Azure's confidential VMs, and cost management innovations. They explore dynamic scaling in cloud services, AWS Healthomics, and the importance of sustainability in computing. The conversation also touches on SMS innovations, SageMaker customization, application rationalization, and automated complaint rate recommendations in SES, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current cloud landscape.

• The podcast celebrates its four-year anniversary, highlighting its growth and listener engagement.
• everything else is noise :D

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In this episode, SteveO and Frank chat with James Hall from GreenPixie about sustainability in cloud computing. James talks about his shift to GreenOps and the need for good data and practices for developers and sustainability teams. They also discuss FinOps, the water needs of data centers, energy source differences by region, and AI's effect on energy use. The talk wraps up with energy efficiency solutions for the tech sector.

[Frank] Thanks for the patience, I selected the wrong microphone during the recording.

Takeaways:

• Green Ops focuses on enabling teams with data and best practices.
• Sustainability in cloud computing is about using resources efficiently.
• Water usage effectiveness is a key metric for data centers.
• Regional energy sources significantly impact carbon footprints.
• AI's energy consumption is a growing concern for sustainability.
• Location-based energy accounting provides a clearer picture of impact.
• Renewable energy certificates can mislead sustainability efforts.
• Innovative startups are creating solutions for energy efficiency.
• Understanding FinOps is crucial for sustainability in cloud environments.
• The demand for energy is increasing, necessitating optimization efforts.
• Innovative data center solutions can enhance energy efficiency.
• Timeliness and granularity in data are crucial for sustainability.
• Cloud data centers are generally more efficient than traditional ones.
• Companies must be accountable for their carbon reporting.
• The CSRD will enforce stricter sustainability reporting standards.
• Sustainability teams need accurate data to drive change.
• Continuous methodology updates are essential in the cloud environment.
• Collaboration among stakeholders is key to improving sustainability practices.
• Understanding carbon consumption is vital for effective green ops.
• Companies should focus on optimizing compute and storage for sustainability.

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In this episode, SteveO and Frank discuss the FOCUS project with Udam Dewaraja, exploring its origins, development, and future directions. The conversation highlights the importance of a common taxonomy in FinOps, the engagement of cloud providers, vendors and practitioners, and the growth of the Focus community. 
Udam shares insights on the current state of the Focus specification, the use case library, and the need for a broader understanding of FinOps beyond just cloud costs. The episode concludes with reflections on the maturity of FinOps and the ongoing challenges in data normalization and accuracy.

Takeaways:
Focus aims to create a common taxonomy for cloud costs.
The project started from a need for data normalization.
Engagement from major cloud providers was crucial for Focus's success.
The use case library is essential for practical applications of Focus.
Focus is not just for cloud costs but can be applied to SaaS and private cloud.
The specification provides a common language for understanding costs.
Community feedback is vital for the evolution of Focus.
FinOps maturity requires systematic approaches to cost management.
Normalization challenges persist as the industry evolves.
Collaboration among practitioners is key to advancing FinOps.

#Focus #FinOps #Cloud #Taxonomy #Specification #Community #CloudProviders #UseCases #DataNormalization #Future Directions

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In this episode, Frank and Steve discuss the latest news in Cloud FinOps, including AWS G4DN Workspaces, AWS Parallel Computing Service, Google Compute Engine C3 and X4 instances, Azure C4 VMs, Amazon Open Search Service, AlloyDB free trial, Azure NetApp file storage, and more. They also touch on topics like cost optimization, carbon emissions, and the AWS Console mobile app.

takeaways

• AWS announces G4DN Workspaces, Parallel Computing Service, and support for Graviton 3 in Open Search Service
• Google introduces C3 and X4 instances in Compute Engine
• Azure releases C4 VMs and NetApp file storage with cool access
• Amazon S3 no longer charges for certain HTTP error codes
• AWS introduces enhanced rate-based rules for lower rate limits
• Azure offers Carbon Optimization and Spanner Graph
• Delegated administrator for cost optimization hub in AWS
• AlloyDB offers a free trial and Azure updates pricing and calculators

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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.

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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.

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"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.

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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.