Taming Your AWS Costs with Automation 

By Jay Almers, Senior Solutions Cloud Architect

We’ve all been there. You open your AWS bill, and your heart skips a beat. “How did it get this high?” you wonder. Managing cloud costs can feel like chasing a moving target—just when you think you’ve got a handle on it, something changes. 

At TekStream, we’ve heard this story quite a few times, and we’ve helped clients understand and tame their overall cloud spend. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by unpredictable AWS expenses, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about how automation can help you regain control and even find opportunities to save. 

The Cloud Cost Conundrum 

AWS offers incredible flexibility and scalability, which is fantastic for innovation and development but can be a double-edged sword when it comes to costs. It is so easy to spin up resources, oftentimes over-provisioned, and then become forgotten or for usage patterns to change without anyone noticing—until the bill arrives. 

Maybe you’ve tried setting up spreadsheets to track costs, or you’ve tasked team members with monitoring usage manually. But let’s be honest, these methods are time-consuming and often ineffective in the fast-paced cloud environment.  The fact of the matter is that from time to time, humans can be a little less than consistent. 

Why Automation Could Be the Solution You’ve Been Looking For 

Imagine having a system that watches your AWS usage like a hawk, sends you alerts before things get out of hand, and even suggests ways to optimize spending. It never sleeps and follows the same steps and/or rules every single time.  That’s the power of automation in cost management. 

Here’s what automation can do for you: 

  • Provide Visibility: Get real-time insights into where your money is going. 
  • Set Up Alerts: Receive notifications when spending approaching, meets, and exceeds certain thresholds. 
  • Optimize Resources: Identify underutilized resources that can be downsized, turned off outside of business hours, or terminated if no longer needed. 
  • Forecast Costs: Predict future spending based on current usage trends. 

But, as with all automation, setting this up effectively requires more than just enabling a few services, systems, or scripts. It needs a strategic approach. 

How TekStream Can Help You Master AWS Cost Management 

We know that every organization’s needs are different. Here’s how we can work together to build and implement systems to get a grasp on your AWS costs: 
 

  1. Understanding Your Current Landscape 
    We’ll start by digging into your current AWS usage and billing. What’s driving your costs? Are there any glaring inefficiencies? This will help you get a clear picture of the width, depth, and breadth of your environments. 
  1. Developing a Tailored Strategy 
    Based on our findings, we’ll craft a cost optimization plan that makes sense for your business and operational needs. This might involve setting up AWS Budgets for proactive monitoring, using AWS Cost Explorer for detailed analysis, or implementing AWS Cost Anomaly Detection to catch unexpected spikes. 
  1. Implementing Solutions 
    Our team will handle the technical architecture and implementation, ensuring that automation tools are configured correctly and integrated with your existing workflows. We can also customize reports and dashboards, so you get the information that matters most to you and your organization. 
  1. Empowering Your Team 
    We believe in sharing knowledge, equipping you with the tools and understanding to get the most out of the solution. We’ll train your team on how to use these tools effectively, interpret the data, and make informed decisions that guide action. 
  1. Ongoing Optimization 
    Cost management isn’t a one-and-done process. TekStream can provide ongoing support to help you adjust and maintain settings, adapt to changes in usage or organizational requirement, and continue searching for savings over time. 

Success Stories Speak Volumes 

One of our clients, a growing tech company, was struggling with skyrocketing AWS costs that were eating into their profits. After partnering with us, they were able to substantially reduce their monthly AWS spend by simply by identifying and addressing inefficiencies through automation.  What’s more, beyond the cost savings, the biggest benefit was the confidence they gained in their ability to manage expenses proactively. 

Ready to Take Control of Your AWS Costs? 

We get it—cloud cost management can feel like a never-ending battle. But you don’t have to go it alone, and you don’t have to accept unpredictability as the norm. 

At TekStream, we’re passionate about helping businesses like yours make the most of AWS without breaking the bank. Let’s connect and explore how automation can bring clarity, control, and savings to your cloud spending. 

Ready to take control of your AWS costs? Discover how TekStream’s Cloud Optimization Solutions can help you identify inefficiencies and implement automation strategies to reduce your monthly spend. Learn more about our services here.