

What's new in Cloud FinOps?
The FinOps Guys - Stephen Old and Frank Contrepois
Stephen Old and Frank Contrepois get together to discuss what's new in the world of cloud when it comes to FinOps. There are two monthly episodes, one where we'll discuss the top stories we've found from this month and a second episode where we bring in a friend of the show to talk to us about a topic of their choosing.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 26, 2026 • 35min
WNiCF - February 2026 - News
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What’s New in Cloud FinOps?, Frank and Stephen break down the latest shifts in cloud usage, pricing, and governance so you don’t have to read the release notes from vendor blog posts.

Feb 24, 2026 • 25min
WNiCF - January 2026 - News
Send a textThis episode covers the latest updates in cloud computing, including AWS Spot Interruption metrics, new EC2 instances, Azure and GCP enhancements, and cost management innovations. Perfect for cloud professionals seeking actionable insights and industry trends.keywordsKey topics:AWS Spot Interruption MetricsNew EC2 Memory-Optimized InstancesAzure and GCP Cloud EnhancementsCost Management and Optimization StrategiesCapacity Constraints and AI Impact

Jan 30, 2026 • 49min
WNiCF - December 2025 - News
Send a textIn this episode, Frank and Stephen share the latest in cloud computing. They focus on AWS innovations, like new EC2 instances, generative AI advancements, and cost management strategies. They explore how AI integrates into cloud services and introduce Amazon Nova 2 for advanced reasoning tasks. They also discuss improvements in billing and support services. The conversation includes updates from Azure and Google Cloud, showcasing the changing cloud technology landscape and its impact on businesses.

Dec 20, 2025 • 46min
WNiCF - Interview with Erik - it started with vendor lock-in
Send a textand then went in all sorts of interesting rabbit holes. Link on the CUR data pipeline open source tool: https://ecos-labs.io/Merry Christmas everyone and see you in 2026

Dec 11, 2025 • 51min
WNiCF - November 2025 - News
Send a textIn this episode, SteveO and Frank discuss the latest updates in cloud computing, focusing on AWS and Azure innovations. They cover new features in EC2, Lambda, and Workspaces, as well as advancements in data management and AI. The conversation also highlights cost management tools and strategies, flexible cost allocation, and storage solutions. The hosts emphasize the importance of FinOps in managing cloud costs and conclude with insights into future developments in cloud technology.

Nov 18, 2025 • 42min
WNiCF - Interview with Nic Guerra - Cost accounting
Send a textIn this interview with Nic Guerra, the unortodox accountant, Stephen an Frank learn about a new type of accounting...cost accounting. Frank never heard the term before. The biggest learning: cost is proactive. The conversation delves into the critical distinction between cost and spend, emphasizing the need for a deeper analysis of variances in financial management. It highlights the importance of recognizing inefficiencies as opportunities for improvement, particularly in the context of cloud computing and resource allocation.TakeawaysCost is not the same as a spend.There shouldn't be a taboo about inefficiencies.Understanding variances can lead to better financial decisions.Financial management requires a nuanced understanding of costs.

Nov 12, 2025 • 50min
WNiCF - October 2025 - News
Send a textIn this episode of What's New in Cloud FinOps, hosts SteveO and Frank discuss the latest updates from the TBM conference, then moving on to their usual FinOps news, with many AWS news: new EC2 instances, cost management innovations, and sustainability initiatives in cloud services. They explore the implications of Lambda billing changes, real-time bidding technology, and the evolving landscape of cloud financial management training. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Conference Insights02:07 AWS News Highlights06:45 New EC2 Instances and Performance Improvements10:41 Data Management and Optimization Tools14:07 Storage Innovations and Cost Efficiency18:34 Capacity Management and Kubernetes Integration21:57 Pricing Changes and Licensing Optimization27:39 Emerging Technologies and Cost Savings28:46 AWS RTB Fabric for Real-Time Advertising30:50 AWS Service Availability Updates33:19 Sunsetting AWS Services34:41 Amazon Q Developer: Cost Management Tool38:27 Kronos 2: Advanced Forecasting Model39:20 Upcoming FinOps Sessions at reInvent 202541:30 GCP Anomaly Detection Features43:19 Azure's Environmental Sustainability Features44:54 AWS Customer Carbon Footprint Tool Update46:21 New FinOps Training Courses

Oct 24, 2025 • 36min
WNiCF - September 2025 - News
Send a textIn this episode of What's New in Cloud FinOps, Stephen Old and Frank discuss the latest updates in cloud computing, including AWS Outposts' integration with third-party storage, new Amazon EC2 Mac instances, Azure's managed services, and Google Cloud VM Engine updates. They also explore pricing changes in Azure, the deprecation of Azure Machine Learning data labeling, and the introduction of new metrics in software development. The conversation highlights the importance of sustainability in cloud services and concludes with reflections on the podcast's five-year anniversary.TakeawaysAWS Outposts now supports third-party storage integration with Dell and HPE.Amazon EC2 introduces new Mac instances for developers.Azure managed services now include Grafana dashboards at no extra cost.Google Cloud VM Engine V1 SKUs are now end of sale.Azure UltraDisk pricing has been reduced significantly in specific regions.Azure Machine Learning data labeling will be deprecated by 2026.AWS Transform Assessment helps visualize storage migration benefits.New cost to serve software metric introduced by AWS.Cortex Framework now deploys sustainability modules for SAP.AWS Lambda cold start billing changes will take effect in 2025.

Sep 19, 2025 • 35min
WNiCF - Interview with Erik Norman - Debunking the Iron Triangle
Send a textShort episode packed with so many ideas and thoughts. In this episode, Frank Contrepois and Stephen Old engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Erik Norman about the principles of FinOps, particularly focusing on the Iron Triangle of project management. They explore the limitations of the Iron Triangle, emphasizing the importance of quality and speed in achieving project goals. The conversation also highlights the necessity of education in cloud engineering, the challenges of serverless architectures, and the misconceptions surrounding vendor lock-in in cloud solutions. The episode is rich with insights and practical advice for professionals in the FinOps and cloud engineering space.TakeawaysThe Iron Triangle is useful but has limited applicability.Quality and speed can coexist without sacrificing cost efficiency.Education is crucial for optimizing cloud costs.Serverless architectures may not always be the most efficient choice.Vendor lock-in is often misunderstood; it exists in many forms.Effective communication between teams is essential for project success.Prioritization in FinOps should consider urgency and importance.Hackathons can foster innovation and efficiency in engineering teams.Cloud-native tools can simplify legacy migration processes.Continuous learning and adaptation are key in cloud environments.

Sep 9, 2025 • 33min
WNiCF - August 2025 - News
Send a textIn this episode of What's New in Cloud FinOps, hosts SteveO and Frank discuss the latest advancements in cloud FinOps, including Amazon's new EC2 P6EGB200 Ultra Servers, cloud migration strategies, and innovations in data management and storage. They also explore cost management techniques, pricing changes, and the impact of AI on troubleshooting and monitoring. The conversation wraps up with a call for engaging discussions with listeners.


