Paying for services.
HOW CLOUD SERVICES ARE PRICED
Per user, per month Per unit of resource consumed Per volume of storage or transfer Combinations of these
WHAT THAT MEANS
Costs vary with usage, sometimes unpredictably.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
What drives the cost What happens if usage doubles Whether there is a ceiling
THE CURRENCY QUESTION
Most major providers bill in foreign currency.
WHAT THAT EXPOSES YOU TO
Exchange rate movement, which changes your cost without the provider changing their price.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Budget with headroom for rate movement Review costs in your own currency, not theirs Consider whether a local provider suits for some workloads
WHAT ELSE TO CHECK
Whether your payment method works reliably for foreign billing What happens if a payment fails
THAT LAST POINT
A failed payment can suspend services. Establish the grace period.
WHAT TO MONITOR
Actual spend monthly, in your own currency.
