🔷 AZURE GUIDE

Azure Cost Optimization Guide

Step-by-step guide to reducing Azure costs by 40-60% with real implementation examples.

Savings Target Calculator

Set your savings goal and see potential impact

30%
Target savings
10% (Quick Wins)30% (Standard)60% (Maximum)
Monthly Bill
$5,000
Monthly Savings
$1500

Right-size Virtual Machines

Downsize over-provisioned VMs using Azure Advisor recommendations

15-40% savingsHigh Priority

Implementation Steps:

  1. 1Use Azure Advisor for rightsizing recommendations
  2. 2Analyze VM metrics for CPU, memory, and disk usage
  3. 3Consider burstable VM series for variable workloads
  4. 4Use Azure Migrate for assessment before migration
Azure Tools:
Azure AdvisorAzure MonitorCost Management
Implementation Effort:
Medium

Implement Azure Reserved Instances

Save up to 72% with 1-3 year commitments for steady workloads

45-72% savingsHigh Priority

Implementation Steps:

  1. 1Identify steady-state workloads suitable for RIs
  2. 2Use Azure Pricing Calculator for cost analysis
  3. 3Consider RI flexibility options
  4. 4Combine with Azure Hybrid Benefit
Azure Tools:
Azure PortalCost ManagementAzure Calculator
Implementation Effort:
Low

Use Spot VMs for Batch Workloads

Save up to 90% on interruptible workloads

60-90% savingsMedium Priority

Implementation Steps:

  1. 1Identify batch processing, CI/CD, testing workloads
  2. 2Implement checkpointing for stateful workloads
  3. 3Set up graceful shutdown handling
  4. 4Use Azure Batch with Spot VMs
Azure Tools:
Azure Spot VMsAzure BatchAzure Functions
Implementation Effort:
Medium-High

🔷 Azure Cost Tools

Azure Advisor

Free

Provides personalized optimization recommendations

15-30% savingsOpen in Portal →

Azure Cost Management + Billing

Free

Monitor, allocate, and optimize cloud costs

10-20% savingsOpen in Portal →

Azure Policy

Free

Enforce cost control policies and governance

5-15% savingsOpen in Portal →

Azure Monitor

Usage-based

Comprehensive monitoring and insights

10-25% savingsOpen in Portal →

⚡ Quick Wins (24 hours)

💡
Enable Azure Advisor
Get personalized recommendations
📊
Set Budget Alerts
Prevent cost overruns
🗑️
Delete Unused Resources
Stop and delete orphaned VMs
⏰
Schedule Dev Resources
Auto-stop non-prod at night

✅ Monthly Checklist

Review Azure Advisor recommendations
Check for idle resources
Analyze cost by resource group
Review RI utilization
Check storage lifecycle policies
Review network egress costs
Update budget alerts
Export cost reports

🏢 Enterprise Case Study

52%
Cost Reduction
$42k → $20k
Monthly Savings
3 months
ROI Period

Implementation Summary

  • ✓Right-sized 85% of VMs based on usage patterns
  • ✓Implemented RI strategy saving $15k/month
  • ✓Automated shutdown of dev environments
  • ✓Optimized storage with lifecycle policies

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Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert •Guaranteed Savings: 40-60% reduction •Enterprise Experience: Fortune 500 implementations