We often encounter situations where the topic of cloud usage optimisation is overlooked by many companies, especially in the context of SAP solutions. In the age of digital transformation, as more and more organisations decide to migrate their systems to the cloud, cost optimisation is becoming a key element of IT strategy.
SNOK, specialising in the cloud domain, is able to help optimise its cost by selecting the right tools, conducting analyses, and thereby delivering solutions tailored to your needs.
For example, consider the migration and optimisation of SAP systems on the Microsoft Azure platform.
Choosing the right region
We typically select the Azure region closest to the company’s headquarters to avoid network latency. However, it is worth considering other regions where the cost of computing resources may be lower while latency remains acceptable. This allows us to reduce the cost of maintaining all resources in Azure.
Scaling on demand
We can anticipate the load on the SAP system by monitoring CPU, memory, the number of users, and transactions performed during the day. We can spin up additional virtual machines during peak load periods and then shut them down afterwards.
Choosing the right storage type
Your production SAP system must be a high-performance unit capable of rapidly processing online transactions and analytical workloads. The choice of disk type (standard or premium) matters for both performance and cost.
Using “snoozing”
One of the greatest advantages of the cloud is that you only pay for what you use. There may be times when your virtual machines are not in use. For example, if your users are in the US West region, we can schedule these sets of virtual machines to be put to sleep during night-time hours.
Using optimal virtual machines for SAP
Another option is to use appropriately sized virtual machines for certain systems, such as sandbox, development, demo, training and so on. These types of systems can typically run on significantly smaller resources (CPU, RAM, HDD), which plays a key role in computing resource costs.
Analysis and optimisation
At SNOK, we have the tools and data insight needed for cost optimisation in Azure. All of our tools and cost-optimisation insights are drawn from data available in, among others, Microsoft Azure Advisor, Microsoft Azure Cost Management and Billing, and Microsoft Azure Monitor.
Modernisation and automation
Thanks to the capabilities offered by the cloud, we can automate many processes, resulting in savings of time and resources. We can also modernise applications and solutions to make them more effective and better suited to current needs.
At SNOK, we are convinced that cloud cost optimisation for SAP solutions is not only a technical matter, but a strategic one as well. Thanks to our experience and tools, we are able to help companies make full use of the cloud’s potential while controlling and optimising costs. If your organisation is considering migrating SAP to the cloud, or is looking for ways to optimise the cost of its existing cloud environment, we would be happy to discuss how we can help.