At Hykell, we work with clients across the globe, helping them optimize their cloud spend and get the most value from their AWS environment. Through these interactions, we’ve noticed a pattern—many of our potential, new, and current customers ask similar questions about how we can help reduce their AWS costs. To make things easier, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. Whether you’re just getting started with cloud cost optimization or are looking for ways to enhance your current efforts, these insights will give you a better understanding of how Hykell can support your goals.
FAQ: Why Do Customers Choose Hykell for Cloud Cost Optimization?
Q1: “We already have a strong internal team managing cloud cost optimization. Why do we need external help from Hykell?”
It’s great that your team is already focused on cloud cost optimization! At Hykell, we work on top of what your internal team is doing, adding specialized expertise and ensuring you’re getting every possible savings opportunity. While your team may be managing the day-to-day optimization, we bring an extra layer of insight by focusing on billing-level optimization, Reserved Instance brokerage, and advanced automated discounts that your team may not have the time or resources to fully explore. Our goal is to maximize savings while allowing your engineers to focus on their core projects.
Q2: “We already have an Enterprise Discount Program (EDP) and work closely with AWS to get the best savings. How can Hykell add value on top of that?”
It’s fantastic that you have an EDP in place and a strong relationship with AWS! However, Hykell brings an additional layer of cost-saving potential on top of what your internal team and AWS provide. Our expertise lies in fine-tuning your cloud bill to unlock savings that are often hidden within AWS billing complexities. We optimize Reserved Instances (RIs), convertible RIs, leverage spot pricing where appropriate, and help your team automate cost-saving processes. Even with existing agreements, we ensure you’re maximizing every possible opportunity for savings—often leading to even greater discounts beyond your initial contract.
Q3: “Why should I trust Hykell when AWS already provides tools for cloud cost optimization?”
AWS does offer native tools for cost optimization, but they often require significant manual effort and don’t always provide detailed, actionable insights that can be automated, tailored to your specific use case. Hykell enhances AWS tools by offering a comprehensive, automated approach to cloud cost optimization, combining engineering expertise with finance-driven strategies. Our toolkit actively monitors your AWS usage and implements strategies like auto-scaling, spot instances, and right-sizing to ensure your cloud environment is always optimized without relying on constant manual adjustments.
Q4: “We already have a cloud architect and a finance team managing AWS costs. How does Hykell work with my existing teams?”
Hykell integrates seamlessly with your cloud architects and finance teams to amplify their efforts. We ensure that your technical team is leveraging best practices for cost-efficient architecture, while also working closely with your finance team to track and forecast expenses accurately. Our expertise allows us to fine-tune both your engineering processes and cost tracking, ensuring your AWS spend stays as low as possible without compromising on performance. We’re essentially an extension of your teams, providing extra capacity and expertise in cost management.
Q5: “How does Hykell ensure we’re not compromising performance for cost savings?”
At Hykell, we take a balanced approach to cost optimization. We always adhere to the AWS Well-Architected Framework, ensuring that any cost-saving recommendations we make are fully aligned with AWS best practices. We use advanced techniques such as right-sizing EC2 instances, automated scaling, and leveraging Reserved Instances (RIs) without compromising your application’s performance or reliability. Our goal is to maximize savings while keeping your cloud environment running efficiently and securely.
Q6: “What exactly is automated discounts and how does it work?”
Automated discounts are a key component of Hykell’s cost-saving strategies. By leveraging RI brokerage tools, we ensure your Reserved Instances are purchased at the best possible rates and that your instance usage is optimized to match your demand over time. Same strategy is used with convertible Reserved Instances, to allow maximum discount with minimal commitment. Our system automatically adjusts your discount instruments to capture discounts where applicable, reducing the manual effort involved. This process involves no operational overhead for your team and ensures that your AWS bills are reduced as much as possible—without any impact on service.
Q7: “How does Hykell’s pricing work?”
A7: We offer a performance-based pricing model—you only pay for the additional savings we find on top of what your team is already doing. This means there are no upfront costs, and you’re guaranteed a high return on investment. We take a results-driven approach, ensuring that our value proposition is directly tied to the measurable reductions in your AWS spend. You only pay when we’ve saved you money—making our partnership risk-free.
