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Here's how smart applications make your cloud lean and profitable
Moving to the cloud seems like a logical choice: flexibility, scalability and less hassle with hardware. But many companies only find out after the switch that their applications in the cloud perform differently than they used to. What ran smoothly on-premise or with a hosting provider can suddenly slow down in the cloud. The result? Frustrated users and unexpectedly high costs.
Why? The cloud works fundamentally different. Instead of fixed resources, as with on-premises environments, in the cloud you use shared capacity that depends on the design and behavior of your application. An inefficient design or code that was fine before may require many more resources in the cloud - and that adds directly to your bill. In short, you pay in the cloud not only for what you use, but also for how smart you're using it.
Simply transferring applications 1-to-1 doesn't cut it. To harness the true power of the cloud, applications must be optimized for this new environment. Only then can you increase performance, reduce costs and make your cloud environment lean and profitable.
How do you get applications cloud-ready?
This is not just a technical migration; it also requires a fundamental review of how your applications are designed and set up. A 1-to-1 migration may seem like the simplest solution, but it often leads to slow applications that consume resources unnecessarily. Want to reap the full benefits of the cloud? Then your applications must be adapted to the unique dynamics of this environment.
- Configure differently
Applications that ran on-premises were often configured to have constant access to fixed, ample resources. At peak times, they use the resources of other applications that less busy at that time. In the cloud, you don't get that residual capacity allocated to you; any residual capacity you leave behind you just have to pay for. This means you have to optimize the configuration of your applications, by making sure that usage is more even across the day and the application is not over-allocated.
- Program differently
In the cloud, it pays to program applications in a modular and scalable way. You do this by choosing efficient algorithms that fit the scale at which your business operates. Moreover, by tailoring the way of processing to what works efficiently in the cloud - think of asynchronous processing for functionality that is not urgent for example - you can gain speed and save costs.
- Adapt to higher latency
In a cloud environment, it is normal to face higher latency due to the physical distance between the user, the application and the data centers. To compensate for this latency, it is essential to adapt your applications accordingly. Examples include placing all of an application's servers in the same availability zone and streamlining network traffic and database calls. These adjustments ensure that your applications remain responsive, even in a cloud environment.
By consciously optimizing applications for the cloud, you can not only achieve better performance, but also significantly reduce your costs. Your cloud environment is then not just a technical choice, but a strategic investment that pays off.
Match your hardware to your application: faster and more economical in the cloud
Choosing the right hardware in the cloud is a crucial factor in the performance and cost of your applications. It may seem easy to “just deploy more CPUs” when your application gets slow, but that's not always the smartest approach. In fact, the right choice depends heavily on your workload as well as the specific hardware configuration.
- Many CPUs vs. fast CPUs
It seems logical: more CPUs mean more processing power. But in many cases, the speed of a single CPU core is more important than the total number of cores. Workloads that depend on fast, single-threaded performance -- such as some databases or interactive applications -- benefit more from faster CPUs with higher clock speeds. In contrast, workloads that process well in parallel, such as big data analytics, actually benefit from a larger number of CPUs. Consider also that a larger number of CPUs do all share the same memory and they cannot all access it at the same time. It pays to understand which strategy best suits your application.
- Intel vs. AMD: not a one-size-fits-all
Intel and AMD both offer powerful CPU options, but they differ greatly in their architecture. AMD processors often have greater memory bandwidth and a more distributed cache topology, which makes them excellent for workloads with intensive memory and data traffic. Intel, on the other hand, often has more efficient internal communication between cores within the same server, which can make a big difference in specific applications. There is no absolute winner: it is the workload that determines which choice is best. By testing which hardware best suits your applications, you can cut costs and optimize performance.
- Newer hardware: more value per dollar
Although newer hardware is often more expensive in the cloud, newer hardware can deliver more performance per dollar than older technology. This is especially true for workloads that benefit from enhancements such as faster instruction sets, more advanced power management options or improved memory interfaces. Rather than going straight for the cheapest option, it makes sense to invest in newer hardware. You'll quickly earn back that investment through improved efficiency and lower operating costs.
The right hardware choices are a game changer in the cloud. By understanding what your applications really need and tuning hardware accordingly, you can structurally improve both your performance and your costs. It's not about more resources, it's about smart resources.S
Choose storage that fits your application: the key to better performance and lower costs
Cloud storage seems like a simple choice at first glance, but the right strategy can make a world of difference to both the speed of your applications and your expenses. By making smart use of different storage options and matching them to your applications, you'll get the most out of your cloud environment - without paying unnecessarily much.
- The right tier for every kind of data
Not all data has the same performance requirements, and that means you don't have to put everything on the most expensive storage. For example, for a database you can choose premium SSDs for the datafiles and logfiles, because speed is crucial there. At the same time, the system disk and backup disks can do just fine with a lower tier, such as standard SSDs or even HDDs. This optimizes your costs without sacrificing performance where it really counts.
- Tiered storage for large data sets
For data sets that contain large amounts of historical or inactive data, tiered storage is an effective solution. Many cloud providers offer tiered storage options, where frequently accessed data remains on fast, expensive storage, while older or rarely used data is automatically moved to cheaper, slower disks. This is ideal for workloads such as data warehousing or records management because you only pay for speed where you actually need it.
- Separate data streams
In intensive workloads, such as databases, multiple data streams can interfere with each other if they share the same storage. For example, data files and log files can negatively affect each other during moments of high activity, such as a database checkpoint. By separating these streams physically or logically - for example, by using different disks or storage accounts - you avoid bottlenecks and ensure consistent performance.
By consciously choosing how and where to store data, you can not only keep your cloud costs under control, but also optimize application performance. It's the perfect balance of speed and efficiency, tailored to what your applications really need.
Moving toward faster and cheaper applications together
At Sciante, we understand that getting your applications to perform optimally in the cloud does not have a standard solution. Each application is unique and requires a well thought out approach - from architecture and hardware to storage and data flows. With our years of experience optimizing applications both before and after a cloud migration, we've helped countless companies get more out of their cloud investment.
The result? Faster applications that make your users happy and lower costs that strengthen your bottom line. Whether you're struggling with slow performance, unexpectedly high cloud bills or applications that don't seem to benefit from the promises of the cloud, we're ready to work with you to find a solution.
Schedule a no-obligation appointment and find out how we can transform your applications into a cloud environment that really works for you. We'd love to show you what's possible. Contact us today and take the first step towards more efficient, better performing cloud applications!