Cloud Waste & Technical Debt

Every Managed Service Provider (MSP) recognises that their clients seek more than just support in Azure; they desire the reassurance that their systems are operating efficiently.

Yet, common issues frequently emerge across client environments:

• Virtual Machines (VMs) operating at minimal CPU yet running constantly.
• Databases with abundant allocated resources that remain below 10% usage.
• PaaS services established but neglected after project completion.
• Reservations which remain largely underutilised.

This not only results in wasted funds but also accumulates technical debt.

Fortunately, proactive MSPs recognise that aiding clients in clearing up this clutter enables waste to transform into return on investment (ROI), fosters trust, and allows for scalable managed services.

Introducing the Turbo360 Cost Analyzer, your constant optimisation engine.

Understanding Technical Debt in the Cloud

In the realm of web development, technical debt refers to short-term choices that result in longer-term inefficiencies.

In the context of Azure, this relates to similar configurations, but it now has a direct impact on client finances.

Examples include:

• Legacy development/testing/proof-of-concept environments still active without purpose.
• Overly allocated storage tiers based on a “better safe than sorry” mindset.
• App Service Plans linked to deleted applications.
• VMs operated continuously for development and testing when they should be shut down during downtime.

MSPs are uniquely positioned to assist with these evaluations, as they oversee multiple clients across diverse workloads and sectors. Previously unnoticed wasted resources become clear opportunities for structured optimisation.

Transitioning from One-Time Savings to Continuous Financial Operations

Many MSPs conduct a “cost assessment” annually, treating it as a one-time optimisation effort.

While this is a sensible beginning, the most advanced MSPs view optimisation as a continuous journey.

So how can you establish this continuous FinOps loop? Detect, analyse, recommend, and repeat with Turbo360.

How Turbo360 Empowers MSPs to Identify and Resolve Waste

Turbo360 equips MSPs with the tools to continuously identify, assess, and rectify inefficiencies in their clients’ systems. Here’s how it functions in practice.

Identifying Idle or Low-Utilisation Resources

Turbo360 evaluates cost and utilisation trends daily, identifying resources suitable for downsizing or decommissioning:

• VMs consistently operating below 10% CPU over a month.
• Databases consistently downgraded from their provisioned tiers.
• App Service Plans without any associated applications.

Moreover, these resources can be categorised by client or environment and organised by potential savings opportunity.

Automated Optimisation Suggestions

Assessing each subscription for every client manually can be an arduous task. Instead, Turbo360 provides recommendations such as:

• SKU adjustments (e.g., transitioning from P2V2 to P1V2).
• Opportunities for downgrading (such as modifying disk tiers).
• Recommendations for right-sizing based on historical data.

These recommendations can be exported for check-ins or integrated with Logic Apps or Power Automate for remediation.

Unveiling Reservation and Savings Plan Gaps

Clients may possess reservations and savings plans that remain unused—hidden opportunities for waste reduction. Turbo360 uncovers:

• Reserved instances that are not in operation.
• Reservations in use at less than 50% capacity.
• Workloads that could be better served by new or additional reservations/savings plans.

MSPs can leverage this information to guide clients towards informed purchasing decisions, thereby enhancing trust and profit margins.

Quantifying Technical Debt by Cost Implications

Turbo360 not only identifies inefficiencies but also illustrates their financial impact.

It ranks areas of waste based on monthly or annual cost implications, aiding clients in visualising the business rationale for taking action.

Demonstrating Value Through Clear Reporting

Optimisation is futile if clients are unaware of it.

Turbo360 facilitates before-and-after savings reports, validating how your MSP’s proactive financial operations have curtailed costs while contributing positively to the environment.

Transforming Waste into Wealth: An Example

Picture your client’s development environment housing 12 VMs running continuously. Turbo360 detects low CPU usage over time and recommends powering them down overnight.

This adjustment can be executed via Azure Automation or a Logic App, resulting in savings of £1,200 over the month.

Three months later, when Turbo360 highlights savings in storage and networking, this example can be referenced.

What began as a minor adjustment turns into compelling evidence for your FinOps-as-a-Service and an enticing opportunity for upselling to other clients.

How to Discuss Optimisation with Clients

Present optimisation not as mere cost reduction, but rather as value protection:

Our role is to ensure your Azure investment remains efficient and effective. Turbo360 enables us to identify areas where funds are not contributing to business value—addressing these before they develop into waste.

This perspective builds trust, particularly with stakeholders in finance and business who seek assurance that their Azure expenditure is being managed responsibly.

Key Insights

Turbo360: Your Partner in Optimisation

With Turbo360, shift from reactive cost clean-ups to proactive financial operations enhancements within a single platform.

• Stay informed about waste before it escalates.
• Automate right-sizing initiatives.
• Monitor changes for future reporting.
• Incorporate savings into the overall service value.

Your clients save money.

Your MSP gains recognition.

Your team focuses on strategic planning rather than budgeting.

That is the Turbo360 approach.

Up Next

Join us next week: Discover how MSPs can unlock client savings through Reservations and Savings Plans. We’ll delve into turning utilisation data into future savings and how Turbo360 assists MSPs in demonstrating ROI for every Azure commitment.