As a business owner or IT professional, reducing costs is one of the most crucial aspects of maintaining a competitive edge in today’s market. Cost-saving efforts are now more important than ever, especially given the economic uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
One way to cut costs is by utilizing Azure Virtual Machines (VMs). Azure Virtual Machines represent a cost-effective way to run your workloads, and they offer several benefits. They are highly scalable, require minimal hardware investment, and can reduce ongoing maintenance costs. Here are some tips on how to cut costs with Azure VMs.
Choose the Right VM Size
When selecting a VM size, it’s essential to choose the appropriate size for your workload. Different VM sizes have different price points, so choosing an overly large VM will result in wasted resources and increased expenses. On the other hand, too small a VM can lead to performance issues and increased downtime. It’s crucial to match the VM size to the workload’s requirements to optimize efficiency.
Reserved Instances
Azure offers reserved instances at a lower price, which enable you to save money in the long run. By committing to a three-year contract, you can receive up to 72 percent off the standard pay-as-you-go price. Reserved instances are ideal for workloads that are predictable and consistently used, for example, web servers or databases.
Auto Shutdown Feature
Another way to cut costs with Azure VMs is by taking advantage of their auto-shutdown feature. When this feature is enabled, the Azure VM will automatically shut down during off-hours, weekends, or other predefined periods, reducing the cost of running the VM outside of business hours.
Azure Hybrid Use Benefit
The Azure Hybrid Use Benefit is a unique benefit that allows you to use your existing Windows Server licenses with Azure. This feature enables you to save up to 40 percent on VMs running Windows Server.
Optimize Storage
Reducing storage costs is another way to cut costs with Azure VMs. You can choose between different storage options to minimize ongoing storage costs. Azure’s managed disks provide an easy-to-use, durable storage option with low latency, ideal for workloads that demand high performance. Additionally, using Azure blob storage, you can maximize your storage capacity without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts
Managing costs is a critical part of running a business, and using Azure Virtual Machines can help save money in the long run. By understanding the different ways to cut costs with Azure VMs, such as selecting the appropriate VM size, taking advantage of reserved instances and auto-shutdown features, leveraging Azure Hybrid Use Benefit, and optimizing storage, you can significantly reduce your costs while maintaining or even improving your business’s overall efficiency.