Understanding the principles of cost optimization

Cloud is more than just a cost center. Moving to the cloud allows you to enable innovation at a global scale, decrease deployment time, and drive competitive advantage by quickly responding to customer needs. So it's no surprise that many businesses are looking to transform their organization's digital strategy as soon as possible. But while it makes sense to adopt cloud quickly, it’s also important to take time and review key concepts prior to migrating or deploying your applications into the Cloud. Likewise, if you already have existing applications in the Cloud, you’ll want to audit your environment to make sure you are following best practices. The goal is to maximize business value while optimizing cost, keeping in mind the most effective and efficient use of cloud resources.

We’ve been working side by side with some complex customers as they usher in the next generation of applications and services on Google Cloud. When it comes to optimizing costs, there are lots of tools and techniques that organizations can use. But tools can only take you so far. In our experience, there are several high-level principles that organizations, no matter the size, can follow to make sure they’re getting the most out of the Cloud.