Why do we have to pay for cloud flexibility we don’t need?
We all appreciate flexibility and are willing to pay extra when it’s necessary. However, when our data needs are predictable, why should we pay for expensive, overly flexible data tools on the cloud?
Think of it like buying train tickets: off-peak tickets restrict travel times but are cheaper, while anytime tickets offer more flexibility at a higher price. For regular commuters, a season ticket provides the best of both worlds: flexibility at a fixed cost.
So, why can’t purchasing cloud services be more like buying a train ticket? Instead of cloud tools that force you to pay for high flexibility, there should be ways to match the desired flexibility level with an appropriate cost.
Why are we paying for the high cost of unused flexibility?
Organisations are at various stages of their cloud journey. Those that haven’t fully moved to the cloud or use a mix of cloud and on-site tech often don’t use all the features they pay for. Even worse, organisations sometimes overcompensate to avoid performance issues and over-provision resources, leading to even more unnecessary expenses.
In multi-cloud setups, tools are often tied to particular vendors. For instance, AWS Glue works only on AWS, while Azure Data Factory is exclusive to Azure. These tools don’t play well with others across different platforms, forcing companies to pay for multiple tools that do the same thing.
When costs are complicated, unpredictable, and keep ballooning, budgeting becomes a nightmare. Pricing structures for cloud data tools can be opaque. Take Azure Data Factory: costs vary based on orchestration, data movement, pipeline activities, and the version used.
How do we make buying cloud services more like buying train tickets?
To tackle these issues, we need to prioritise two key things:
- Pricing that matches flexibility: We need clear and straightforward pricing options where costs align with the level of flexibility your organisation requires.
- Platform-Agnostic Tools: We need tools and services that are compatible across multiple cloud environments, so you don’t have to pay for the same things twice.
How does FME solve cloud flexibility challenges?
Enter FME by Safe Software, an enterprise ETL solution that offers tailored pricing plans you can mix and match for different levels of flexibility. With FME, you only pay for what you need:
- Low Flexibility – Perpetual Licences: This one-time purchase model grants indefinite access to one of FME’s core components, with optional annual maintenance. Ideal for organisations with stable, predictable needs.
- Moderate Flexibility – Subscription Licences: This model allows you to pay annually for any configuration of FME, reducing CapEx while offering moderate flexibility.
- High Flexibility – CPU Hours: FME engines are licensed based on the CPU time they consume, termed as “credits”. This is perfect for organisations with fluctuating needs, as you only pay for the processing time used, without any upfront costs.
You can hybridise your licensing too e.g. Subscription Licences dedicated to project work combined with CPU Hours for big data lifts. This makes sure you have the ideal balance of cost and flexibility.
FME engines can be deployed on any platform — be it AWS, Azure, or on-premises — without the need for additional investments in specific tools for each platform. This not only saves costs but also simplifies operations.
With FME, your cloud data tool spend aligns with your actual needs, ensuring you get the most out of your investment without derailing your budget. It’s time we demand more from our cloud data tools, just like we expect flexibility options when buying train tickets. If you want to find out how FME can be the right ticket for your cloud journey at any stage, speak to us.