Say Goodbye to Overspending on Your Sitecore XP Azure Bill
At the recent Sitecore Symposium, we shared practical tips on slashing Azure costs and boosting ROI in our presentation, "Slash Your Sitecore XP Azure Bill." The response to our presentation was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees eager to learn more. However, with only 10 minutes on stage, we could only scratch the surface of what we had to share.
We highlighted key strategies and insights, but we needed more time to explore the nuances of Azure optimization or showcase additional real-world examples. There is so much more valuable information and practical advice we wanted to provide, which is why we're continuing the conversation here.
In this blog, we’ll outline and recap the key points from the session, including and introduction to Onecare. Fishtank’s Sitecore support offering and how it transformed Azure optimization for Sitecore implementations. Stay tuned as we unpack the strategies that helped one client save over $100K annually!
A Common Problem with Sitecore Azure Configurations
A common issue we see with Sitecore Azure environments is poor configuration—around 80% aren’t optimized for efficiency. This often stems from a gap between Azure and Sitecore expertise. The impact? Higher costs, slower performance, and underutilized features could slow site speed and reliability.
When Azure specialists lack insight into Sitecore’s specific needs, they often rely on generic configurations that don’t support Sitecore’s full performance potential, leading to higher costs and slower performance. Similarly, Sitecore experts may set up functional environments but overlook Azure’s advanced options, like Premium V3 app services or Elastic Pools, missing out on significant savings and efficiency gains.
This gap in expertise can result in a configuration that is “good enough,” but can drive up expenses, underutilize resources, and deliver suboptimal performance. All issues that could be avoided by closing this expertise gap are essential to reduce costs, enhance stability, and fully leverage the value of both Sitecore and Azure.
Starting Point: Sitecore Base ARM Templates
Sitecore’s base ARM templates provide a quick, straightforward setup, but they’re not built for peak performance or cost efficiency. If you have installed Sitecore 10.3 or earlier in Azure you can make huge leaps in performance and cost from the default templates. Sitecore 10.4 installation templates use modern options but the overall infrastructure still presents many opportunities for optimization.
The Keys to Optimization
Modernizing App Services is crucial to unlocking the full potential of your Azure environment. Over time, Microsoft continuously improves its offerings, and sticking with outdated configurations means missing out on significant performance and cost benefits. Newer services, like Premium V3, offer faster processors, SSD storage, and memory-optimized features that can dramatically enhance your Sitecore deployment.
This is where our Onecare support offering plays a pivotal role for our clients. We didn’t just identify outdated setups; we actively guided the transition to more efficient configurations. Our Sitecore support team ensures clients leverage the latest Azure advancements, aligning their infrastructure with best practices for scalability and cost savings.
By modernizing App Services, you’re not just upgrading but optimizing for the long haul.
Transition to Premium V3 App Services
Transitioning to Premium V3 App Services is a game-changer for Sitecore deployments on Azure. These services offer a host of benefits designed to boost performance and efficiency:
- Lower Cost: Compared to older legacy App Service tiers like B-tier, S-tier, P-tier & PV2-tier, the PV3 tiers are lower cost, and delivered more efficiently on better hardware.
- Faster Processors: Enhanced computational power to handle complex workloads seamlessly.
- SSD Storage: Quick data access speeds for smoother application performance.
- Memory Optimization: Improved memory-to-core ratios, perfect for memory-intensive Sitecore applications.
- Enhanced Features: Tools like just-in-time restores that add layers of reliability and speed.
- Reserved Instances: V3s uniquely allow you to unlock reserved instance pricing, purchasing 1 year or 3 years of computing at significantly lower cost (1 year PV3 reservation vs PV2 saves 46%)
Onecare ensures this upgrade isn’t a hassle. Our team manages the entire transition, from evaluating your current setup to implementing V3 App Services without disrupting your operations. We handle all the technical complexities, ensuring you’re positioned to take full advantage of these enhancements from day one. Whether it’s scaling your infrastructure or fine-tuning configurations, Onecare makes the process seamless, so you can focus on delivering top-notch digital experiences.
Practical Cost-Cutting Strategies
Configure Elastic Pools for Database Efficiency
Elastic Pools allow you to manage multiple databases within a single pool of resources, balancing performance while reducing costs. Onecare helps fine-tune these pools, ensuring each database gets the resources it needs without over-provisioning.
Consolidate Low-Usage App Services
Instead of running multiple underutilized App Services, Onecare identifies opportunities to merge them into fewer, more efficiently used App Service Plans, saving costs while maintaining performance.
Leverage SQL Server Hybrid Benefit
Onecare ensures you take advantage of the SQL Server Hybrid Benefit, which allows you to use existing on-premises licenses in the cloud, significantly reducing your database costs.
Optimize Large App Services for Cost-Efficiency
Contrary to intuition, larger App Services can be more efficient. Onecare evaluates your usage and transitions you to larger instances when it’s more cost-effective, reducing the total number of App Service Plans needed and improving overall resource management.
Real-World Azure Infrastructure Savings
We’d encourage all Sitecore customers to take a look at optimizing their Azure environments for the amount of effort it takes, even if you did it yourself with these few tips, it produces the largest return on investment of any activity.
This is why Azure optimization is the backbone of our Onecare offering. It delivers real, measurable savings. Several clients have achieved impressive savings—up to 80% annually—simply by optimizing their Sitecore XP Azure environments. One client, for example, reduced their Azure costs by over $100,000 each year by transitioning to Premium V3 and applying advanced cost-saving configurations.
These savings aren’t just impressive—they’re impactful. In many cases, the reductions in Azure expenses are so significant that they effectively cover the cost of Onecare itself. It’s optimization that not only pays for itself but also delivers ongoing value and efficiency.
Unlocking More with Onecare
At the Symposium, we introduced Onecare—a flexible, transparent, and value-packed Sitecore support solution designed to help organizations unlock the full potential of their digital experience.
At Fishtank Consulting, we understand that navigating Sitecore support can be complex and frustrating, with endless sales calls and unclear pricing. That’s why we created Onecare, a flexible, transparent, and cost-effective solution tailored to help organizations maximize their Sitecore investment.
With Onecare, you get clear, upfront pricing directly from our website—no confusing discovery calls or hidden costs. Our scaled support tiers let you choose the level of help you need, whether it’s part-time assistance or a fully managed service, making it far more affordable than hiring in-house staff. You’re only paying for development hours, supporting roles like project management and quality assurance are included for exceptional value.
Included at no extra cost are powerful tools and value add-ons for organizations to take their marketing to the next level. Onecare isn’t just about Sitecore support—it’s about delivering real impact to your organization.
| Value-Add | Impact |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure Optimization | Save up to 80% on Azure costs while enhancing performance. Faster, more reliable, and cost-effective infrastructure. |
| Integrated Security Testing | Proactively protect your site with real-time threat detection. Stay secure without extra hassle or costs. |
| Accessibility Audits | Ensure your site is accessible to all users. Avoid alienating visitors with expert guidance on compliance. |
| SEO Portals | Access over 30 custom SEO reports in a self-serve portal. Monitor and improve your SEO in real-time, all in one place. |
With Onecare, organizations gain the expertise, flexibility, and added value needed to unlock Sitecore’s full potential—without the hassle. Discover how Onecare can transform your digital experience and make managing Sitecore easier than ever at onecare.dev.
Final Takeaway: Unlocking the Full Potential of Azure for Sitecore
Proper Azure optimization isn’t just a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic necessity. Poorly configured environments can lead to excessive costs and underperformance, directly impacting your business’s bottom line. You unlock significant savings and performance gains by reassessing and optimizing your Azure setup, particularly for Sitecore deployments.
Onecare makes this process seamless, ensuring your infrastructure is tailored for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. If you haven’t reviewed your Azure environment recently, now is the time to act. The potential savings and operational improvements are too substantial to ignore.
Until next time, happy optimizing!
