Cloud Cost Estimation with the Azure TCO Calculator

Making the financial case for cloud migration can be challenging without the right tools to compare legacy hardware against modern cloud infrastructure. Understanding how to model these expenses is essential for any modern business transition. In this text-only course, you will learn how to calculate and compare on-premises costs with Azure cloud expenses. You will gain the skills to gather your current infrastructure data, input it accurately into the Azure TCO Calculator, and interpret the resulting financial reports to support strategic business decisions. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational cloud economics and the core principles of Total Cost of Ownership. - Identify on-premises cost factors including hardware, software licensing, electricity, and maintenance. - Configure workload assumptions in the Azure TCO Calculator for accurate comparisons. - Analyze generated TCO reports to identify potential cost savings and financial benefits. - Apply modern cost management and basic FinOps principles to keep cloud spending optimized post-migration. The course begins with foundational definitions of cloud financial models, then guides you step-by-step through the inputs, assumptions, and outputs of the calculator, concluding with practical scenarios to test your understanding. Designed for beginners, IT administrators, procurement specialists, and business analysts looking to understand cloud financial planning, this course requires no prior cloud accounting experience. Start reading today to master the financial aspects of cloud migration.