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1. Introduction
Migrating to the cloud is often seen as a natural step to companies that want to climb efficiently. And it is, as long as the costs are under control.
It turns out that, in practice, it is not always like this. Many businesses find out, only after migration, that the cloud environment requires more than a modern infrastructure: it requires financial strategy. A recent study of Gartner shows that 69% of organizations face budget bursts with cloud (cloud), which directly compromises the performance of digital investments.
The point is that it is not about abandoning the cloud, but of dominating its variables : understanding the collection models, predicting exchange variations, identifying waste and applying good governance practices.
Therefore, in this guide, we have put together everything you need to know to make safer decisions , extract the cloud as many productivity as many financial surprises. At Skyone , we believe the cloud should be a growth lever , and the purpose of this content is to show you how to put it into practice.
Good reading!
2. Why understand cloud costs change the game?
Cloud computing is often associated with freedom: climbing, optimizing, integrating, and innovating without the bindings of traditional infrastructure . But all freedom is accompanied by responsibility, especially financial.
What many companies discover only after migration is that the cloud alone is not synonymous with economy . Without governance, visibility, management and a minimum control structure, costs can scale unpredictably, directly affecting investment performance.
Migrating to the cloud without strategy is like bringing a running car to the track without fine adjustments: you even have power, but have no control . Real performance comes from accuracy, something that is only possible when each system variable is calibrated. It is exactly this kind of care that separates the cloud that delivers value from that only consumes resources.
Understanding costs means seeing beyond the invoice. It means mastering the different charging models, anticipating currency variations, identifying hidden waste, and applying good finer practices. What's more, it means mainly making data based and not assumptions. This is where the game changes: turning the cloud into a strategic asset, not a difficult to decipher .
But after all, what exactly makes the cloud more expensive than expected? What technical and operational elements interfere directly on your invoice and where are the greatest adjustment opportunities? This is what we will explore below.
3. Main factors that impact the cost of the cloud
The cloud, when well managed, can be one of the most powerful infrastructures to generate efficiency and scale . But, like all versatile technology, it requires mastery. And in this case, mastery means understanding where and why costs arise.
While in the traditional model ( on-premitis ) costs are fixed and often inflated by idle capacity, in the cloud it all depends on use . And it is precisely this flexibility that, without management, becomes financial risk.
The logic is similar to that of a running car : performance is not just about power, but how each adjustment is made. Fuel, tires, telemetry, real -time decisions - everything counts. In the cloud, it works the same way: each architecture choice, configuration and pricing model directly influences the efficiency and final cost of the operation .
To better understand, we will see the main points that directly influence how (and how) your company pays for the cloud.
3.1. Price models: pay-as-you-go , reserve of instances and hybrids
The pricing model determines how you pay for the cloud, and how you can save. The three main formats are:
- Pay-as-You-GO : You pay only for what you consume. It is flexible, but it can generate unexpected peaks if there is no control;
- Reserved instances : offer lower rates for those who commit to continuous use for defined periods. Require planning;
- Hybrid models : combine predictability and adaptability, but ask for management maturity.
A common mistake? Migrate from Data Center to the cloud without redesigning architecture-the famous Lift-Shift . This carries inefficiencies to an environment where the cost is variable and penalizes poorly calibrated consumption . The result: increasing costs and low return on investment.
3.2. Data storage and transfer
The storage itself usually has competitive prices. But data movement (between availability zones, geographical regions or distinct services) can generate recurring charges .
In environments with multiple integrated systems (such as ERPs, CRMS and BI tools), the movement between services is constant. Without data architecture planning, poorly configured automations or excessive integrations end up raising costs quietly.
The most critical? Many of these expenses do not appear clearly in the standard reports of the providers, which makes it even more difficult to identify the root of the problem.
3.3. Computing costs (CPU, GPU, TPUS)
Computing is the cloud engine, and like every high performance engine, it requires attention.
Companies dealing with complex workloads (such as Machine Learning , service automations, real -time analysis) use large processing capacity , such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (graphic units) and TPUs (machine learning optimized units).
These features are expensive per hour. And when they are active out of time, or underused, they generate difficult waste of trace r. This is where practices such as provisioning automation, programmed shutdown and intelligent scalability, which reduce costs without affecting the operation .
3.4. Cloud computing in Brazil and its challenges
In Brazil, the cost of the cloud does not only depend on technical consumption, but also on the macroeconomic scenario . One of the biggest challenges faced by companies that hire international providers is the currency variation .
Most of the services offered by players (such as Oracle, AWS, Azure and Google Cloud) are priced in dollars . This means that even a well -optimized and stable environment can generate budget surprises when there are currency fluctuations.
This instability directly affects areas such as controllership, purchases and IT, making financial planning and cash predictability difficult. In a scenario where the exchange rate may vary significantly from one quarter to another, maintaining cost control becomes even more challenging .
In this context, solutions that offer fixed pricing in real (R $) become strategic . They protect the company's budget against volatility and guarantee greater peace of mind in decision making, something fundamental for those who need to climb with confidence, without being surprised at the closing of the month.
Understanding these factors is the first step in mastering cloud costs with intelligence. But knowing how much you pay is not enough: you need to understand where and who to invest with . Next, we exploit how the main providers position themselves and what changes, in practice, between each approach.
4. Price comparison between main providers
Understanding what makes up the cost of the cloud is important, but that alone is not enough. The next step involves evaluating the options available on the market. After all, while the general pricing logic is similar among the big players , each has particularities that directly impact predictability and the way costs evolve over time.
As in motorsport, where teams operate with the same regulations, but adopt different strategies to seek competitive advantage in the cloud universe, choosing the right provider involves knowing the details - and aligning it with business goals.
Next, we explore the factors that differentiate offers from providers such as Oracle, AWS, Azure and Google Cloud, and how these variations impact companies with different maturity and operation profiles.
4.1. What is the best choice for each type of company?
The answer to this question is not in the platform's technical sheet, but in the reality of each operation .
Companies with structured mature financial management and experience with complex can take advantage of the flexibility offered by large providers. In this scenario, features such as Machine Learning , Multicloud and Advanced Customizations make sense and can be well used.
On the other hand, businesses that prioritize cost predictability, close support and structured growth find better results in models that offer local currency, shared governance, experts dedicated to continuous operation and optimization, and diagnosis of maturity and continuous strategic orientation.
In practice, the most efficient cloud is not necessarily the most sophisticated , but the one that best follows the evolution of your business safely and controlled.
4.2. Why does the skyone model offer more predictability?
For companies operating in Brazil, cloud cost predictability is more than one advantage: it is a strategic need . As we have seen, when the charge is linked to the dollar, even a well -managed environment can become unstable by external factors such as exchange rate fluctuation.
It was precisely because it understood this challenge that at Skyone , we developed a model with real pricing (R $), ensuring stability in financial planning and eliminating last -minute surprises on the invoice .
But the predictability we deliver goes beyond the coin. It is also in the way we structure the operation with our customers:
- We work with a cloud platform for self -scale management, performance, stability and cutting -edge security, with a predictable and unsurprising .
- We work with shared governance , which means that no infrastructure decision is made in the dark;
- We operate with a nearby and specialized technical team that follows the real -time environment and proposes improvements based on data;
- We start every journey with a diagnosis of maturity , to understand where the company is and where it can come sustainably;
- We also apply structured FINOPS practices to major cloud providers, focusing on preventing costs from growing unnecessarily as the business scales.
Our goal is not just to offer cloud, but to offer control, efficiency and safety to grow.
As with a professional race, it's not just the engine that guarantees performance . It is the behind -the -scenes strategy, real -time adjustments and thin tuning with the team that make a difference. It is this role we assume with each client: being the partner who anticipates scenarios and transforms the infrastructure as a real result !
5. Strategies for optimizing cloud costs and how skyone can help
Reducing cloud costs goes beyond turning off resources or renegotiating contracts. It involves rethinking how the infrastructure is used, monitored and adjusted - continuously, intelligently and strategically.
Managing this process manually can be laborious, inaccurate and prone to failures. It is in this context that comes the role of a robust platform and a specialized technical team. When the operation is supported by a solution that abstracts infrastructure complexity , the company can optimize costs without dealing directly with technical requirements, currency variations or constant operational adjustments.
At Skyone , in addition to the platform, we offer a technical team with agnostic performance - that is, without bonding with a single provider or technology . This allows us to propose tailored solutions , based on the reality of each client, with full focus on results. Our team has experience with various architectures and cloud environments, which ensures a wide and strategic view, without commercial or technical bias.
This approach, coupled with good governance and financial management practices (such as Finops), is what makes it possible to turn the cloud into an efficient, controlled and scalable operation . Check out more details below.
5.1. What is FINOPS: the discipline of cloud financial management
FINOPS ( Cloud Financial Operations ) is the practice of uniting technical and financial areas to optimize cloud use . The logic is simple: you can only control what you understand, and can only improve what measures.
Thus, the discipline starts from three pillars :
- Visibility : Understand in detail what is being used by whom and for what purpose;
- Governance : Assign costs to the right teams or areas, promoting a culture of conscious use;
- Continuous Optimization : Identify adjustment, automation and constant improvements based on real data.
In practice, this means not only “cutting spending”, but preventing costs from growing as business expands - which we call avoided cost.
This approach requires processes, tools and especially technical expertise to translate consumption into business decisions.
5.2. As Skyone helps reduce up to 40% of cloud costs
At Skyone , Finops is part of the delivery. Our goal is not just to support the infrastructure, but to ensure that it is operating at its best cost-effective . For this, we apply a series of practices integrated with the client's journey:
- Diagnosis of technical and financial maturity , to understand the current stage of the company and identify improvement levers;
- Tagging and consumer traceability to map exactly where the largest cost centers are;
- Provisional automation, intelligent shutdown and reconfiguration of instances to eliminate waste;
- Simulations and growth forecasts , which prevent the environment from climbing uncontrollably.
With this approach, we have been able to deliver 10% up to 40% reductions in cloud costs , depending on the cloud platform used by the customer, without compromising performance or safety. That is, more than economy, what we offer is consistency to grow with control!
As with a running team, it is not enough to cross the finish line: you need to do this in the shortest possible time, with the slightest wear and taking advantage of each feature . This is the philosophy that guides our daily work: transforming the complexity of the cloud into real competitive advantage.
If your company is looking for more efficiency, predictability and cloud performance, talking to one of our experts can be the next most strategic step! We are ready to understand your reality, diagnose opportunities and build a cloud environment together that really follows the rhythm and ambition of your business
6. Conclusion
Cloud investment represents an important milestone for companies that seek more agility, scalability and efficiency. But as we have seen throughout this guide, achieving these benefits requires more than hiring infrastructure: it requires strategic vision on where costs are, and what practices really support long -term growth.
Understanding the different pricing models, evaluating the offers of major providers, identifying adjustment opportunities, and applying methodologies such as FINOPs are essential steps to turn the cloud into an ally , not just a budget expense line.
Each choice made in this environment reflects directly on the financial and operational health of the business. And the sooner these decisions are structured, the greater the return potential.
If you liked this guide and want to keep following trends, analysis and good practices about the cloud universe, follow the Skyone blog ! We are always bringing practical and up -to -date content to those who want to make decisions with more security and future vision.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about investing in the cloud
Migrating to the cloud is an increasingly common decision among companies that seek scalability, flexibility and innovation. But with so many variables involved (such as collection models, resource consumption, exchange, governance) understanding clear costs has become a strategic challenge.
Below, we answer the most recurring questions about cloud investments : from what really impacts the invoice to how to calculate the return on investment (ROI) and optimize spending without giving up performance.
1) What are the main factors that influence the cost of the cloud?
The main factors are: the adopted pricing model (such as pay-a-you-go , reserved or hybrid instances), data storage and transfer volume, processing use (such as CPUs, GPUS and TPUS), security and compliance , and in Brazil the exchange rate variation. Poorly planned architectures and absence of governance also contribute significantly to increased costs.
2) How to reduce cloud computing spending without compromising performance?
It is possible to optimize costs without losing performance by applying practices such as: automatic out -of -use instance shutdown, provisioning automation, correct choosing the instance type, demand -based scaling and use of intelligent storage. Fine discipline also helps to make data -oriented decisions, ensuring operational and financial efficiency.
3) Which cloud provider has the best cost-effective?
It depends on the maturity and needs of the company. Oracle, AWS, Azure and Google Cloud offer robust solutions, but charge in dollars, which can generate instability for Brazilian companies. Models such as Skyone, with real pricing and continuous technical support, deliver greater predictability and efficiency to companies that seek financial control and sustainable growth.
4) How to calculate the cloud ROI for my company?
ROI (return on investment) in cloud can be calculated by comparing operational gains (such as increased productivity, scalability, downtime and agility) with the total costs involved (infrastructure, support, migration and management). The challenge is also to include the avoided costs, that is, the waste that ceases to happen due to efficient practices.
5) What tools help in control and optimization of cloud costs?
There are several native tools from the providers themselves (such as AWS Cost Explorer, Azure Cost Management, Google Cloud Billing and Oracle Cloud Cost estimator), as well as Specialized FinoS solutions. In addition, shared management platforms, such as Skyone's, offer technical and strategic support to identify waste, design growth and ensure intelligent use of resources.
