Harmonizing Multi-Cloud Cost and Usage Data with FOCUS

Udam Dewaraja, the chair for the FOCUS specification (FinOps Open Cost and Usage Specification) and Tim O'Brien Senior Director of Engineering, Cloud Cost Management at Walmart, spoke about FinOps Open Cost and Usage Specification (FOCUS) today at the FinOps X conference. The number of contributors to the project is truly impressive with virtually all the Cloud Services Providers (CSPs) onboard. In this blog, we will look at the goals and benefits of the FOCUS specification in more detail.

Many companies find themselves managing multiple cloud providers for various reasons such as M&A, leveraging specialized services, and through SaaS offerings.  They have found that managing costs and usage data across these different platforms is a daunting task. That's where the FOCUS promises to help. FOCUS specification is an open standard for cloud cost, usage, and billing data.

FOCUS, developed by the FinOps Foundation, provides a standardized framework for presenting cloud cost data across various cloud vendors. By adopting FOCUS, businesses can achieve a consistent and structured approach to understanding and managing costs, regardless of the cloud provider they utilize.

The primary goal of harmonizing multi-cloud cost and usage data through FOCUS is to simplify cost management processes. With a unified data format, organizations can compare costs, analyze spending patterns, and make informed decisions about their cloud resources. This consistency eliminates the complexity associated with interpreting and normalizing cost data from different CSPs and Cloud Cost Management and Optimization (CCMO) tools.

Another significant advantage of harmonizing multi-cloud cost and usage data is the ability to drive cost-efficiency. With standardized cost reporting, businesses can identify opportunities to optimize resource allocation, identify cost-saving initiatives, and negotiate better pricing terms with cloud vendors. By comparing costs and performance metrics across multiple providers, organizations can make data-driven decisions and select the most cost-effective cloud options.

FOCUS will help organizations that leverage the benefits of multi-cloud environments. By providing a consistent and standardized approach to cost and usage data, FOCUS accelerates the adoption of multi-cloud strategies. It removes barriers to entry, reduces complexity, and fosters interoperability between CSPs and CCMO tools, enabling businesses to fully leverage the advantages of each provider while streamlining cost management processes.

Harmonizing multi-cloud cost and usage data through FOCUS brings numerous benefits to businesses navigating complex cloud environments. With a unified framework for cost reporting and analysis, organizations can optimize their cloud investments, drive cost-efficiency, and achieve better financial outcomes. By embracing FOCUS, businesses can navigate the intricacies of multi-cloud cost management and unlock the full potential of their cloud strategies.