cloud cost analysis tool

A cloud cost analysis tool is a software product designed to help corporations minimize the cost of their online operations. 

The tool provides valuable insight into how a business uses its cloud computing resources in general.

Cost analysis tools can collect data on the number of servers running at any given time, moment-to-moment processor utilization, memory usage, and other operational metrics. Reporting tools can use this metadata to group and organize cost and utilization information. Other functions include:

• Verification of bills to ensure legitimacy.
• Avoidance of duplicate or multiple billings for a single product or service.
• Avoidance or correction of billing errors.
• Finding the best price for a given service or product.
• Determining which services or products to buy based on location and resource consumption.
• Establishing and maintaining spending thresholds.

Popular cloud cost analysis tools include Cloudyn, CloudVertical, CloudCheckr, and Newvem. Prices start at under $100 a month for low-end professional versions, ranging up to several hundred dollars a month for top-tier business versions.