Title

AWS re:Invent 2022 - How to save costs and optimize Microsoft workloads on AWS (ENT205)

Summary

• AWS is committed to helping customers save on costs when running Microsoft workloads on AWS, focusing on Windows Server, SQL Server, .NET applications, SharePoint, and Dynamics.
• Licensing optimization and infrastructure right-sizing are key to cost savings.
• AWS products and programs are designed based on customer feedback and aim to provide cost-effective solutions for running Windows workloads.
• Three levers of cost savings are product innovation, infrastructure and licensing cost optimization, and migration and modernization programs.
• AWS offers a broad and deep compute platform, with over 500 instance types tailored to specific workload needs.
• Nitro systems provide nearly 100% infrastructure capacity for instances, reducing the number of instances and licenses needed, thus lowering costs.
• AWS offers various storage solutions like FSx for Windows and FSx for NetApp ONTAP, which can help achieve high availability and performance at a lower cost.
• Licensing options on AWS include AWS-provided licenses with a pay-as-you-go model or bringing your own licenses (BYOL) with specific rules.
• AWS has introduced per-user licensing models for Microsoft Office and Visual Studio on EC2.
• AWS provides tools for cost optimization throughout the migration journey, including Migration Evaluator, AWS Compute Optimizer, and Cost Explorer.
• Modernization of workloads can lead to cost savings, improved agility, and better price performance.
• AWS has launched the AWS Modernization Calculator for Microsoft workloads and the AWS toolkit for .NET refactoring.
• The Optimization and Licensing Assessment (OLA) program helps customers assess and optimize their current environments and build a migration strategy.
• Migration Evaluator Quick Insights provides a quick snapshot of potential savings and cost breakdown for migrating Windows workloads.
• The Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) offers tools, training, and support for customers migrating to AWS.
• The Windows Migration Accelerator offers service credits for every migrated Windows server to help offset migration costs.

Insights

• AWS's focus on product innovation, particularly with the Nitro system, demonstrates a commitment to providing high-performance computing options that can lead to significant cost savings for customers running Microsoft workloads.
• The emphasis on licensing optimization suggests that AWS recognizes the complexity and cost associated with Microsoft licensing and is actively working to provide flexible solutions to customers.
• AWS's introduction of per-user licensing for Microsoft Office and Visual Studio on EC2 indicates a shift towards more granular and flexible software licensing models that cater to the needs of modern, dynamic workforces.
• The OLA program and Migration Evaluator Quick Insights tool highlight AWS's proactive approach to helping customers understand their current infrastructure and potential cost savings before migrating to AWS.
• The MAP and Windows Migration Accelerator programs reflect AWS's strategy to not only attract new customers to its platform but also to support them through the migration process with financial incentives and technical guidance.
• AWS's investment in modernization tools, such as the AWS Modernization Calculator and the AWS toolkit for .NET refactoring, shows a clear direction towards encouraging customers to adopt cloud-native services and architectures for long-term cost savings and agility.