AWS Cost and Usage Data Gets a FOCUS: Easier Cloud Spend Analysis is Here!
Hold onto your hats, cloud enthusiasts! AWS just dropped a game-changer for anyone tired of wrestling with cloud cost data. As of today, you can export your AWS cost and usage data using the FinOps Open Cost and Usage Specification (FOCUS) .0 schema. Yeah, it’s a mouthful, but trust me, this is big news.
Think of FOCUS like the universal translator for your cloud bills. It’s an open-source standard, meaning it’s here to break down those data silos between different cloud providers. No more deciphering cryptic cost reports – FOCUS aims to make it super straightforward to see exactly where your money’s going, no matter which cloud you’re using.
With this new preview feature, AWS is letting you automatically send all that juicy cost and usage data straight to your Amazon S3 bucket in the FOCUS .0 format. That means you can finally wrangle all that data into your favorite FinOps tools and get some serious insights.
Why Should AWS Users Care About FOCUS .0?
In a nutshell, FOCUS .0 is all about making your life easier when it comes to understanding and managing your AWS cloud costs. Here’s the lowdown:
Enhanced Cost and Usage Transparency
AWS is already pretty great at giving you detailed billing and usage info through the AWS Cost and Usage Report (CUR). But let’s be real, sometimes sifting through that data feels like searching for a needle in a haystack.
That’s where FOCUS swoops in to save the day. It acts like a universal translator, transforming all that complex data from AWS (and potentially other cloud providers down the line) into a single, easy-to-understand format. This means your FinOps team can ditch the data wrangling and focus on what really matters – optimizing your cloud spend like the pros you are.
Key Advantages of Data Exports for FOCUS .0 (Preview)
Let’s break down the nitty-gritty of why this new feature is so awesome:
Standardized Cost Columns
Ever get frustrated trying to compare costs across different reports or tools? FOCUS .0 feels your pain. It introduces consistent column names for all your cost data. We’re talking things like ListCost, BilledCost, and EffectiveCost. Now you can actually compare apples to apples (or should we say, cloud bills to cloud bills?) without pulling your hair out.
Oh, and validating your discounts just got a whole lot easier too. With FOCUS, it’s a simple calculation: EffectiveCost divided by ListCost. Boom. Done.
Consistent Schema for All Columns
Data consistency is the name of the game with FOCUS .0. The standardized schema ensures that no matter where your data comes from, it’s all organized the same way. This might sound kinda boring, but trust me, it’s a game-changer when it comes to analyzing and reporting on your cloud spend.
And the best part? FOCUS .0 still plays nicely with AWS’s unique billing features. You get five AWS-specific columns to capture all that proprietary billing data.
Common Set of Values
Remember those days of manually mapping data fields and converting values just to make sense of your cloud costs? Yeah, those days are over (or at least they will be soon). FOCUS .0 uses standardized values for key fields like service category and usage quantity. This means less data prep for you and more time for actually optimizing your cloud spend.
Straight from the Experts: What They’re Saying About FOCUS
Don’t just take our word for it! Industry leaders are buzzing about the potential of FOCUS 1.0 to revolutionize cloud cost management. John Phillips, General Manager of Cloud Financial Management Engineering and Product Management at AWS, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “FOCUS 1.0 represents a significant step forward in simplifying cloud financial management. By providing a common language for cost and usage data, we’re empowering our customers to gain deeper insights into their cloud spending and make more informed decisions.”
Ready to Dive In? Getting Started with FOCUS 1.0 Data Exports
Eager to get your hands on those standardized cost reports? Here’s how to get started with FOCUS 1.0 data exports:
- Access Data Exports: Log into your trusty AWS Billing and Cost Management console and navigate to the “Data Exports” section.
- Select the FOCUS Table: Look for the table labeled “FOCUS 1.0 with AWS Columns (Preview)” and select it. This is where the magic happens.
- Create Your Export: Time to customize! Set your desired delivery frequency (daily, weekly, you name it) and specify the Amazon S3 bucket where you want those beautiful, standardized reports delivered.
- Access and Analyze: Once your export is all set up, Data Exports will take care of the rest, delivering your data on schedule. Now you’re free to slice, dice, and analyze your cloud costs to your heart’s content.
Permissions and Control: Who Gets Access to the FOCUS Goodies?
We know security is top of mind, so let’s talk about who gets to play with these shiny new FOCUS exports. Access is controlled through the bcm-data-exports:create-export IAM action. Basically, users need permission for both the “FOCUS” table and the cur:put-report-definition action.
For organizations using Consolidated Billing, the export will include cost and usage data for both the management/payer account and all those lovely member accounts. And the best part? Each AWS account gets to create up to two free exports of the FOCUS table. Go ahead, try it out!
Deciphering the “FOCUS 1.0 with AWS Columns” Table
Alright, let’s crack open this FOCUS table and see what’s inside. You’ll find a total of 48 columns, ready to spill the beans on your AWS costs:
- 43 FOCUS-aligned Columns: These guys are all about that standardized life, following the FOCUS 1.0 specification to the letter. Think consistent naming conventions and crystal-clear data organization.
- 5 AWS-Specific Columns: Because AWS likes to keep things interesting, you also get five bonus columns with the prefix “x_” to capture those unique AWS billing details. We’re talking “x_UsageType,” “x_CostCategories,” and more.
Let’s illustrate with an example: Imagine you’ve got a one-year, no upfront Compute Savings Plan with a cool $1 hourly recurring fee. The “EffectiveCost” column will show you exactly how much of that dollar you actually used for eligible usage (let’s say $0.3) and how much went unused ($0.7 in this case). The FOCUS table lays it all out there, clear as day.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind (Because No Software is Perfect)
Before you dive headfirst into the world of FOCUS .0, here are a few important tidbits to keep in mind:
- Preview Mode: Remember, folks, this is still a preview feature. That means things could change a bit before it’s officially released. But hey, that’s the price we pay for being early adopters!
- Discount Automation Required: To unlock the full potential of FOCUS exports, you’ll need to make sure discount automation is enabled. Think of it as the key to unlocking even deeper insights into your cost savings.
- FOCUS Dashboard (Preview): Need a little help visualizing all that glorious FOCUS data? AWS has got you covered with a pre-built Amazon QuickSight dashboard. Just another way FOCUS makes your life easier.
The Future of Cloud Cost Management is Here (and It’s Looking Bright)
Data Exports for FOCUS 1.0 (even in its preview stage) is a total game-changer for anyone who’s ever struggled to make sense of their cloud bills (so, basically, everyone). By giving us a standardized schema for cost and usage data, AWS is saving us all a ton of time and headaches.
No more wrestling with spreadsheets or custom scripts to compare costs across different cloud providers. FOCUS paves the way for a world where understanding your cloud spend is easy, intuitive, and maybe even (dare we say it?) enjoyable.
So, what are you waiting for? Jump into the AWS Billing and Cost Management console, fire up those FOCUS 1.0 data exports, and get ready to unlock a whole new level of cloud cost optimization. The future of FinOps is here – and it’s looking pretty darn bright.
