In this episode, Jordan Chernev shares invaluable insights on building successful internal developer platforms and optimizing cloud costs at scale.

In this episode of The Future of Cloud Optimization, Suresh speaks with Venkat Subramani, FinOps Lead at Mimecast, who shares his expertise on optimizing cloud costs while maintaining quality and performance. Venkat discusses the importance of integrating cost considerations early in the product design process and emphasizes the need for collaboration between finance and engineering teams to build trust and drive efficiency. He explores the transformative role of AI in FinOps, highlighting how it can enhance forecasting accuracy and streamline cost optimization efforts. Venkat also brings practical strategies for navigating the complexities of financial operations in today’s cloud-driven environment! Topics discussed: The significance of integrating cost considerations into the early stages of product design, treating cost as a first-class citizen alongside performance and security. Building trust between finance and engineering teams through regular communication and visibility into cloud spending, fostering collaboration for better decision-making. The role of AI in enhancing forecasting accuracy and identifying cost optimization opportunities, streamlining manual processes in financial operations. Strategies for identifying high-impact, low-effort initiatives that can lead to immediate cost savings without requiring extensive engineering resources. The importance of understanding FinOps maturity levels within organizations and tailoring approaches to meet the specific needs of different teams. Challenges associated with adopting new tools for FinOps and the importance of selecting solutions that align with organizational goals and resources. The evolution of FinOps roles, highlighting the need for professionals with both financial acumen and technical expertise in cloud environments. Practical examples of medium-effort initiatives, such as optimizing storage tiers and shutting down underutilized instances, that can lead to significant savings. The impact of company size on FinOps strategies, discussing how startups, mid-sized companies, and large enterprises face different challenges and opportunities. The necessity of celebrating small wins in the FinOps journey, creating visibility into spending, and gradually building a culture of cost awareness.

Rachit discusses the importance of optimizing technology to drive business growth while balancing operational efficiency with product reliability. He emphasizes how AI can revolutionize decision-making processes, allowing teams to focus on high-impact tasks.