Blog Posts

Uncovering the Hidden Costs of Public Cloud Services: Strategies for Cost Optimization

2025-01-22 | 3 MINUTE READ

public cloud server room

Public cloud platforms like AWS and Azure have revolutionized the way businesses operate, offering scalability, flexibility, and a wide range of services. However, these advantages often come with unforeseen costs that can significantly impact an organization's bottom line. As firms become more adept at navigating these challenges, many are exploring alternative solutions to balance cost efficiency with high service levels.

Read on as GNS details how to optimize costs and consider hidden expenses when using public cloud services

The Challenge of Hidden Costs

Public cloud services are built on a pay-as-you-go model, which initially seems cost-effective. Yet, hidden and supplemental charges-such as data egress fees, overprovisioned resources, and underutilized instances-can accumulate quickly. Organizations often find themselves paying for resources they do not fully utilize or facing unexpected charges due to lack of visibility into their cloud usage.

For example, moving large datasets out of a public cloud can incur significant egress fees. Similarly, maintaining always-on services for infrequent workloads may lead to unnecessary expenses. These costs are often overlooked during the initial planning stages, creating budget overruns that can strain financial resources. In other words, maintaining idle resources contributes to unnecessary expenses. Unattached disks and snapshots in Azure, if not properly managed, can result in ongoing storage costs.

Shifting to Smarter Solutions

To address these challenges, many organizations are adopting hybrid cloud strategies that combine on-premises infrastructure with public cloud services. This approach allows businesses to leverage the scalability of public clouds for specific workloads while maintaining control over critical operations on private infrastructure. Effective data management plays a crucial role in cost optimization for hybrid cloud implementations.

One effective strategy involves using AWS or Azure for specialized workflows-such as data analytics or machine learning-and shutting these resources down when they are not required. This approach ensures that businesses only pay for what they use, dramatically reducing costs. However, implementing such a strategy requires precise management and a deep understanding of cloud operations.

GNS can assist in developing and managing such strategies to ensure your cloud usage remains efficient and cost-effective. With our expertise in hybrid cloud solutions, we help businesses optimize their cloud resources, preventing unnecessary expenses and improving overall performance.

The Role of Expertise in Cost Management

Efficient cloud cost optimization is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires tailored strategies, continuous monitoring, and expertise in managing hybrid environments. This is where GNS excels. With over a decade of experience in designing and refining hybrid cloud operations, GNS helps organizations navigate the complexities of cloud cost management.

Our team specializes in:

  • Cost Analysis: Identifying hidden charges and optimizing resource allocation.
  • Hybrid Solutions: Designing infrastructures that integrate on-premises and cloud-based systems effectively.
  • Automation: Implementing automated workflows to ensure resources are only active when needed.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Using advanced tools to monitor cloud usage and adjust strategies in real-time.

The Path Forward

By partnering with experts like GNS, businesses can take control of their cloud expenses while maintaining high performance and reliability. Our proven methodologies and personalized approach ensure that you can achieve significant cost savings without compromising on quality.

If you are concerned about escalating AWS or Azure bills, we're here to help. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation to explore how we can optimize your cloud operations and reduce costs. With GNS, you gain not just a service provider but a trusted advisor in your journey toward smarter cloud management.