6 Signs Your Cloud Setup Needs Optimisation

Dealing with high cloud costs, slow speeds, or security holes? Here’s when to fix your cloud setup and how.

Signs your cloud setup needs work:

1. Costs going up oddly: Companies blow up to 35% of their cloud cash. Check for not used tools, too big resources, or odd charges.
2. Bad speed: Slow sites or databases in busy times? Usual reasons are poor scaling, sluggish databases, or network hold-ups.
3. Unused resources: Nearly 30% of cloud cash goes to not active or too large stuff like servers or storage.
4. Manual scaling: If your group is always hand-tuning servers, tools like Terraform or Kubernetes can help cut time and money.
5. Security flaws: Weak setups lead 80% of data breaks. Set up better access rules, make security checks automatic, and watch often.
6. Changeable speed in different places: Users in other spots facing delays? Using load balancers, CDNs, and multi-region setups can help.

Simple ways to better your cloud:

• Use tools that track costs and send alerts.
• Make scaling and managing resources automatic.
• Always check and correct resource sizes.
• Boost security with set roles and coding.
• Watch how it runs and fix gaps in different places.

Pro Tip: Regular checks on your cloud can keep up to 30% of your costs down and avoid big errors. Don’t let your cloud drag you down - get it right today.

12 Tips To Optimize Cloud Costs | Reduce Cloud Costs

Sign 1: Quick Cost Rises

Think of when you open your cloud bill for the month and it's gone up from £10,000 to £15,000. That big jump shows clear signs that you need to check what's going on with your cloud very soon.

Studies show that three in five groups spent more on cloud this past year, with almost 40% seeing it go up by over 25%[2]. Even more shocking is that one report found more than a third of companies went over their cloud budgets by up to 40% after they moved to the cloud[1].

Finding Cost Issues

Some cost jumps might seem to come out of nowhere. They often build up bit by bit and are missed because of weak tracking. Look out for:

• Bills that keep climbing without any clear reason.
• Costs for services you thought were fine.
• Charges that don't make sense with how your company is doing.

For example, a gaming company messed up its auto-scaling during a big game launch. The cost? Their spending on tech burst up by 10× in one night[3]. In another case, a never-ending loop in a serverless setup caused non-stop runs, ending up in a shocking £50,000 bill[3].

Not seeing where the money goes is a big problem. In fact, 54% of companies say that not knowing where money is spent leads to wasted cash[4]. Without good tools to watch costs, you're left in the dark until the bill shows up.

Why Do Costs Spike?

Cost leaps often come from a few problems you can steer clear of. For example, a Flexera check of over 60 customers showed that 40% of virtual machine uses were too big, meaning firms were paying for more tech than they needed[4].

Another issue? Tools left on when they're not needed. It's thought that £27.1 billion is thrown away each year on systems that stay on all the time, even when not needed[4]. Picture dev setups on around the clock when they just need to be on during office hours, or test servers that copy real setups but get little use.

Moving data also adds hidden costs. Some groups see 20% of their cloud bill from shifting data, often because of setup errors. One data firm got a £30,000 extra fee from moving data between regions[3].

Nigel Gibbons from NCC Group puts it well:

Expecting lift and shift to be a magical fix is a mistake. When organisations fail to align workloads with appropriate services, neglect optimisation planning, or retire unused resources, costs spiral. [4]

How to Cut Down Costs

After you find the main causes, you can start to take down your cloud spends. Begin by putting in real-time checks to watch costs and set up signs for any big jumps or odd changes[5]. Most cloud firms have built-in ways that can use smart tech to spot odd cost jumps.

Here are some straight moves to pull down costs:

• Get rid of stuff you don't use and make your services fit right.
• Use planned buys or saving deals for set workloads[6].
• Put in cost tracking and labels so that work groups watch what they spend[4].

These steps can cut costs by 15–25% and not hurt how your cloud works[7].

For keeping costs low in the long run, set rules for scaling based on past numbers like CPU needs, memory use, or how many asks you get. Make these rules fit key parts, like your web servers or your data spot[4]. As Peter Drucker smartly stated:

You cannot improve what you cannot measure. [4]

If you don't keep a close watch and set clear rules, sudden jumps in costs will keep hurting your budget. This makes it hard to guess and control what you spend.

Sign 2: Slow Going

When your website takes a long time to load in busy times or your database has a hard time with a lot of traffic, it’s a clear sign that your cloud system is under stress. Slow going does not only make users mad - it can raise costs and hurt your business’s good name.

Issues with how well it works often show up in lots of ways, showing that your cloud setup can’t keep up with what is needed. For instance, even though 43% of network bosses say their plans are based on cloud work, many still deal with issues in how well it works that could be fixed with the right tuning.

Seeing Problems in Performance

Problems with how well it works often start slow but get stuck out a lot in times with heavy traffic. A clear clue is when it takes more than 500ms for users in the UK to get answers. If folks in London wait more than half a second for pages to show up, your system is likely having a hard time. Likewise, if your database stops working in busy times, it often shows there are tight spots that need looking at.

Watch important things like CPU use, memory, disk work, how much data you send and take, delays, how often requests come, and errors. Setting up alerts for these things can help you find issues soon. In cloud settings where programs are spread over many servers, watching whole groups of them, not just one machine, is key. Things like regular spikes in how long it takes to respond or how many errors happen often show that you need more room or better ability to grow, and you need to act fast.

What Makes Performance Slow?

Knowing what’s making your system slow is the first step to fixing it. Usual trouble spots include:

• Network delays: When data centers are far from your users, it can make answer times slow.
• Bad traffic sharing: When traffic is not split well, it can overload some servers while others sit unused.
• Database issues: Not having the right indexes, slow searches, or not enough copies for reading can make things slow.
• Growing pains: Systems not built to deal with more users often break under stress.
• Security steps: Badly set-up security steps can slow things down by accident.

Great performance isn't luck - it's planned, tested, and optimized. - Mahmoud Rabie, Multi-Cloud/AI/Security Solutions Architect and Consultant [9]

How to Fix Performance Issues

To fix performance problems, first find the main reasons they happen. One way to get better performance is using a Content Delivery Network (CDN). This can cut down on delays by giving users data saved at places near them. Also, saving common data in memory with query caching helps lower database load. Make sure to spread out traffic well across all servers with a good load balancing plan.

Use predictive auto-scaling to suit your resource needs based on expected demand. Also, make your database faster by setting it up right and making your data searches simple. Always try out changes in a test setting before you use them to make sure they work well [8]. Keep an eye on and tweak your cloud set-up often to keep it running well as your business gets bigger.

Next, we will see how using too many resources can slow down cloud work.

Sign 3: Thrown Away Money

Throwing away resources in your cloud space is like paying for a fancy flat but never living there. Not used virtual machines, left alone storage parts, or too big units that work very little all waste your cash with no real gain. This waste does not just eat into your budget but also pulls down how well your cloud works.

The size of this waste is very large. About 30% of cloud money is thrown away [14], and some think that 78% of firms say 21% to 50% of their cloud money is not used each year [16]. Even more shocking, close to half (44%) of what is spent on the cloud goes to things not used for work that stay off [17]. Also, 40% of cloud parts are bigger than needed [17].

When an organization has cloud waste, it's like hosting a digital landfill – the resources are sitting there, taking up space, and the costs for these idle or underutilized resources can be high. - Matt Pacheco, TierPoint [13]

Cutting Down on Wasted Resources

To cut down on waste, first study how your cloud is used. Look for machines that often use less than 30% of their CPU power, old storage not in use but still charging, and database parts that are not much used. Big wasters are often EC2 items, Elastic Load Balancers, Auto Scaling sets, RDS items, Elastic Block Store volumes, and S3 buckets [10].

Do a full cloud check to spot all the things you use. This means looking at machines, storage, databases, and services while also looking into your cloud payment info. Studying tagging ways can show where your cash goes [12]. Tools like AWS Cost Explorer and Azure Advisor can shine a light on items not doing much [10].

Set up alerts to show you resources not used for a time - for example, a server not opened in 30 days [11]. Also look for big resources, like a database part with 16GB of RAM that usually just needs 2GB. These are good to adjust [11].

Why Resources Get Wasted

Knowing why resources get wasted is key to stopping it. Common issues are resources not much used, left pictures, non-working settings left on, bad payment views, and unknown owners of resources [13] [15]. Zombie items - servers started for tests or builds but never turned off - are real trouble. These often come from left tasks, gone wrong steps, or plain forgetting to shut things after test work.

Without clear count on who did what or seeing how items add to costs, waste will happen. Tackling this needs active care all the time.

Saving and Fixing Resources

Setting up your cloud best can help get back up to 30% of your cloud spend [13]. Start by setting shut-down rules for non-working settings and making dev and test items turn off when not much needed.

Make storage life rules to move less used data to cheaper spots by itself. Cut off old pictures after a set time to stop more charges [14]. Often check and cut off old saved items, pictures, and storage volumes. Right-sizing is a smart move - change resources to fit real needs. For example, make a big database smaller or boost a small compute item [14].

For clear work needs, think about using reserved items or savings plans. Reserved Items can cut cloud service costs by up to 75% if you agree to a set size ahead [18]. For more varied work needs, spot items offer cuts up to 90% [19].

Lastly, build a cost-aware team. Use tagging to make it clear who owns what, share cost info with teams often, and make routine work automated to get things smooth. Remember, What you check, you can handle [15]. Automated tools can keep costs in check and adjust resources based on real use, not just the top guess.

Next, we'll look into how hand-handed scaling can show more gaps in your cloud automation.

Sign 4: Manual Scaling

If your team keeps having to change how many servers you need each week or when lots of users come, it shows that your cloud work is not using enough automation. This way of doing things takes a lot of time and might lead to having too many or not enough resources.

Manual scaling means you always have to watch and tweak things, which can use up your resources and lead to mistakes. IT teams often end up guessing how much they need, adding extra during slow times to not crash when it gets busy. This way wastes space and can make your system less reliable.

Signs of Manual Scaling Problems

A clear sign of issues with manual scaling is when your team faces the same tech problems all the time. If you're stuck doing the same tasks and dealing with day-to-day issues, it tells you that you need automation now. This shows you're only fixing things as they come, not planning ahead.

Look out for these hints in your daily work:

• Too many meetings about handling resources.
• Long waits to get resources set up.
• Lots of time spent watching dashboards.

For instance, if developers wait two days for manual okay and setup after they ask for more database space, it's more than just annoying - it puts you behind others. Another warning sign is when sudden high traffic makes your team work extra hours, by hand setting up servers to stop crashes. If your system needs people to act on alerts, you need to change how you manage your setup.

A big 38% of groups using AWS said they do manual work in their setups over two weeks [24]. This shows that even teams that know a lot still often manage their clouds by hand.

Automation Tools

What's the fix? Automation tools that handle the scaling for you. Cloud automation lets you set up servers, containers, and functions as needed [20]. This gets rid of the waiting and problems of doing it by hand.

Tools like Terraform for Infrastructure as Code (IaC) change how you manage cloud stuff by letting you write your needs in code. These codes can be controlled, tested, and set up without your help. Terraform's help with many clouds is good for groups that use different clouds.

For apps in containers, Kubernetes Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) changes how many copies of a pod you have to meet what you need at the time. This uses resources well, stopping both too much and too little provisioning [23]. By making scaling automatic, you only pay for what you use, saving money and keeping apps running well [23].

More than just ease, using tech in smart ways brings clear gains. Jobs such as making servers or setting up data banks get quick and work well, letting IT groups look at big plans [21]. Smart growth in system size also makes sure your setups can grow well, without using up too much [21].

Cloud automation is the process of automating the deployment and maintenance of cloud resources and services. It offers a faster and more effective way of going about cloud operations. - Blessing Onyegbula, Freelance Content Writer [20]

It's easy to see why 80% of leaders in setup and work now put automation in their top five ways to cut costs [22]. More and more, they see that old ways can't meet the needs of fast-moving work today.

Begin with easy steps by noting down jobs done over and over and setting clear aims for automation, like cutting costs or doing better with what you have [20]. Write down your rules for automation, check them well, and grow slowly as you feel more sure.

Moving from manual to auto scaling is not just about new tools - it's about letting your team work on new ideas, not daily tasks. When your setup grows on its own as needed, you'll ask how you ever did without it.

With scaling issues gone, your team can look at other key parts, like making security better. Let's look into how bad security setup can point out other big problems in your setup.

Sign 5: Security Setup Issues

Security is key for a good cloud setup. If your cloud security is weak, it can lead to data leaks, rule breaks, and money loss. These problems make your organization a soft spot for easy cyberattacks.

Security mistakes occur when cloud setups are done wrong or handled badly. Gartner says that human mistakes will cause 99% of cloud security fails until 2025. Even more, issues from bad setups cause 80% of all data leaks. For example, in 2022, the top 35 data leaks showed 1.2 billion customer records. Bad setups not only risk important data but also cost firms millions. With nearly half (45%) of 2022 breaches being cloud-based, it's clear that security setup issues are a big concern.

Common Security Errors

Small slips, like leaving cloud tools open, can show sensitive data or allow unwanted entry. Open storage spots, for instance, have been used badly by attackers over public Wi-Fi.

Other usual risks include unsafe APIs, poor sign-in steps, and giving too much power to service accounts. Dangers from inside - like current or past staff misusing their access - also pose a big threat. A McAfee study shows that the average firm sees about 3,500 security events monthly, with 90% of firms having security trouble.

This shows why it's important to act early to protect your cloud setup.

Lowering Security Risks

To fix these security gaps, you need a solid plan that includes right setup, automation, and constant check-ups.

• Access Rules: Put in rules that control access based on roles and the least privilege idea, making sure users and services only get the access they need.
• Sign-in Steps: Use multi-factor sign-in (MFA) for all accounts, especially admin ones, to make your sign-in process stronger.
• Data Protection: Keep your data safe by encrypting it during transfer and when stored, following top guidelines for encryption and key control.
• Automation: Use tools that automatically fix weak spots, set up secure options, and find setup mistakes.
• Regular Checks: Do often security checks, look for weak spots, and test with outside pros to find and fix weak points.
• Watching and Acting: Set up tools that monitor in real-time and grab early alerts. Use threat spotting systems, like SIEM, to quickly see risks. Keep testing and fixing your emergency response plans to make sure they work when needed.

Taking on a zero-trust security model can also boost your defenses. This method thinks that no part of your cloud network is safe by default, needing constant checks for every access request.

Optimizing your cloud configuration settings while migrating and reviewing them periodically can effectively reduce potential cloud security risks and can accelerate your digital transformation. – Ashwin Chaudhary, CEO, Accedere [25]

At the end, put money into your team's skill. Give them training on cloud safety risks. Also give help so everyone knows their job in keeping your group safe [26].

Sign 6: Not the Same in All Places

When your cloud does not work the same in all parts of the world, it tells you there may be big issues. Think of users in London having very fast times using it, while others wait a long time. This does not just make people mad - it can hurt how they see your brand.

These gaps in speed often come from big problems, like bad set-up, not good load sharing, or not the best place for your data centers. In fact, places that set up in many areas say they have 40% better service than those with just one spot [27]. Not only does uneven work make users unhappy, it also comes with rules risks. For example, under GDPR, where data is and how fast it moves are key. If one place has much worse service, it can make people trust you less and even lead to rules breaking. To fix this, keep an eye on all areas where you work all the time.

Seeing Differences in Places

To find where your service is not the same, use a planned way to watch it. Use both Real User Monitoring (RUM) and synthetic monitoring to keep an eye on main things like how fast it responds, mistakes, and flow across all spots. For example, see how fast it is in big UK cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow and compare it with your places in Europe. RUM lets you see what users really feel, while synthetic tests fake user moves to check delay in a set way.

Focus on these main points:

• Response times: Look for big changes between places.
• Error rates: Find where more mistakes happen.
• Throughput: Check how data moves in different spots.

Net delay often causes these differences. Testing how APIs respond, how fast databases answer, and how content gets to you can show where problems are. Even a small delay - like 100 milliseconds more - can make a 7% drop in people buying [28]. This shows why it's key to always check these things.

Making Multi-Area Set-ups Better

To deal with different speeds in areas, think about using a strong active-active multi-region architecture. By spreading out services across many data centers, users connect to the nearest spot, cutting delay. This way can make average times up to 30% faster [27].

Here’s how to make your work in many areas better:

• Global Load Balancing: Use smart route plans to send traffic based on things like server shape, how it works, and where it is. This can cut down service breaks by half [27].
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): CDNs and edge caching put often seen data closer to users. For sites with lots of content, putting cache spots in key UK cities and European spots can make data trips much shorter.
• Database Replication: Copying databases over areas gives better reach and quicker access. Geo-partitioning can also make sure European data stays in the EU, fitting with GDPR rules.
• Global Routing Tools: Use cloud tools to send traffic well. These services set users up with the best point based on place, health, and route rules.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Using IaC tools to set up deployments keeps setups the same in all areas. This stops settings from shifting and lets you adjust to meet local needs and rules.

Having an eye on things all the time is key to keeping a top-working multi-area setup. Systems with multi-area skills can reach up to 99.99% uptime [27], but this needs active care and steady fine-tuning. Watching not only tracks better work but also lets you fix new problems fast before they hit users.

At last, adding predictive analytics to your plan can really help. By guessing traffic jumps and area demand trends, you can up resources early, dodging slow-downs. Firms using predictive tools see a 15% rise in how happy customers are [27], showing it pays to stay ahead.

Ending: How to Spot and Fix Issues in the Cloud

We've seen how sudden cost rises, slow speeds, unused tools, hard manual scaling, poor safety steps, and uneven areas all point to cloud troubles. These issues, if not fixed, can cause high costs, weak performance, scaling problems, and bigger safety risks.

Unused tools and bad setups make costs go up, while slow areas can affect your whole system. Hard manual scaling stops you from meeting changing needs, and uneven areas can hurt how users feel and even follow the rules. This is why being ahead with cloud checks matters - they find weak spots, wrong setups, and wastes before they get worse.

Cloud audits are essential; they mitigate risks and foster accountability. – Citadel Cloud Management [30]

Cloud check-ups do more than just save money. They find and fix security holes, make use of resources better, and find chances to do better. With global data storage set to top 200 zettabytes by 2025 [29], handling cloud spaces will only get tougher. Staying ahead with active watching will help deal with this big growth.

To face these issues, think about using full cloud cost management tools. Use tools that set up storage in levels, make setting up tech automatic with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and make sure all teams know what they spend. By making sure everyone knows their cloud use and costs, you can control spending while staying sharp. Using what you learn from check-ups to take real steps is key for doing well.

Hokstad Consulting is great at dealing with these challenges. With detailed cost checks, automatic DevOps flows, and easy cloud move plans, we help firms cut costs and do better. If you're dealing with high costs, slow speeds, or security issues, our skills in cloud cost work and watching systems make your cloud setup match your aims. Plus, with our No Savings, No Fee way, you only pay if we make your costs drop - making sure your money turns into real gains.

Don't let these problems get worse. The big focus on cloud security shows why it's important to manage things early [31]. Start making your cloud setup better today to keep a safe and strong digital future for your group.

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