The cost savings around cloud computing are often what serves as a catalyst for business leaders to initiate a transition to cloud. The ability to pay a subscription fee is far superior to making a capital investment in technology and being responsible for maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting. There’s no hardware to own, plus there’s scalability in the number of users you pay for. So why are so many companies looking for ways to control cloud costs?

It’s easy for cloud spending to spiral out of control. Issues like shadow IT abound, simply because the ease with which you can download and use a cloud solution makes them readily available without IT involvement. In addition, companies recognizing the benefits of cloud infrastructure, data storage, application programming interfaces (APIs), and microservices begin shifting more and more processes to the cloud.

Another simple explanation is that the role of technology in business is growing, so as companies spot opportunities to automate manual processes or find new ways to boost their competitive edge with customer-facing features, those costs are going to grow.

If your company is starting to show signs of unchecked spending, there are several steps you can take to control cloud costs:

1. Consider a Cloud Management Platform: As you invest more in cloud solutions, you may come to a point where it’s cost-effective to utilize a cloud management platform.
2. Create a Diverse Group of Experts: Designating a team that can develop cloud adoption policies, establish reasonable budgets, and ensure security is being addressed is a good start for identifying unnecessary spending related to cloud computing. Make sure this is a diverse group made up of IT, including networking administrators and security specialists, as well as line-of-business managers. This will allow a balanced approach to cloud spending and encourage buy-in across your organization.
3. Assess Your Tech: Before putting any specific policies in place, and ideally before investing in major cloud migrations, conduct an audit of your existing technology costs. When you factor in the total cost of ownership, you may find that total cloud costs aren’t as far from your on-site technology as you had assumed.
4. Manage Cloud Contracts: Make sure you know what discounts you should be receiving and what services or add-ons you want versus those you don’t, and be sure to set up regular reviews of contracts and invoices. There may be extra fees that get quietly added on when your contract is renewed.

For many companies, the transition to cloud can feel a bit heady, with endless possibilities around improved productivity through automation and new conveniences for customers. Putting these steps in place will help your organization stay focused on a strategic transition to cloud solutions and balance benefits with cost predictions.

To learn more about how to control cloud costs or how best to utilize your existing cloud investments, contact us at Access Tech. From assessing your current technology costs to determining the best solutions to leverage for your budget, we can provide the guidance you need around cloud computing.