The FinOps Framework has been updated to reflect the present-day practice of FinOps and to better align activities with best practices that maximize the business value of the cloud. The most crucial cloud computing trend 2023 isn’t technology or architecture; it’s cloud FinOps, a strategy emphasizing cloud cost efficiency. Cloud FinOps is the practice of maximizing business value for every dollar spent in the cloud and cultivating a culture of cost awareness, accountability, and strong collaboration between Finance, Procurement, and Engineering”.
Amidst the breakneck speed of cloud computing’s advancements, one name stands out for his innovative approach and expertise: Venkata Sasidhar (Sasi) Kanumuri. With a distinguished career spanning high-growth companies and leading organizations to financial success in the cloud, Sasi’s contributions to Cloud Financial Operations (FinOps) have left an indelible mark on the industry.
Sasi’s journey into FinOps began with a vision to bridge the gap between finance, procurement, and engineering in cloud management. He scaled and matured FinOps practices with lean teams, fostering a culture of cloud cost awareness and accountability at large tech companies and startups. His technical leadership in FinOps and Cloud teams at renowned companies such as Slack, Toyota, Lacework, Uber, and UC Berkeley has not only shaped the future of cloud efficiency programs but also guided organizations toward significant cost reductions, a testament to the power of collaboration.
The impact of Sasi’s work resonates through tangible metrics, with margins improved by over 30% at his organizations with lean FinOps teams. Throughout his career, he has saved over $100M for customers by cultivating a cloud cost awareness and accountability culture. His innovative governance frameworks for procurement have streamlined operations, leading to efficient vendor tool usage and substantial cost reductions.
Among Sasi’s notable projects is the development of a Cloud Cost Management (CCM) tooling comparison framework and guidance, providing organizations with invaluable insights into cost optimization opportunities. His cost optimization templates for AWS and Azure Cloud service providers have identified high ROI and least-effort cost savings opportunities, setting new standards for efficiency and resource optimization. His #piggy-bank framework has cultivated a culture of cost efficiency at large tech companies, leading to margin improvements and cost efficiency.
Sasi remains at the forefront of cloud financial management, offering insights into upcoming trends and practices. He emphasizes that FinOps is not just about cost optimization but maximizing business value for every dollar spent in the cloud. Sasi’s forward-thinking approach predicts that AI and ML techniques will play a pivotal role in anomaly detection and forecasting, enhancing decision-making processes in cloud resource management, painting a promising future for the industry.
Beyond his impactful projects and contributions, Kanumuri’s commitment to thought leadership and education is evident. As a Technical board member at Packt Publications, he has shaped the Cloud Technology domain books and mentored numerous individuals in the cloud sector. Sasidhar’s passion for continuous learning has led him to conduct educational sessions, workshops, and internal meetups, sharing his expertise and empowering engineering teams to flourish and succeed.
In conclusion, Venkata Sasidhar’s journey through FinOps excellence not only showcases his expertise but also exemplifies the transformative power of innovation and dedication in cloud financial management. His pioneering work, impactful projects, and visionary insights have not just optimized operations and saved costs but have set new standards for efficiency and resource optimization in the cloud. As the landscape of cloud computing continues to evolve, Sasi remains a guiding force, steering organizations toward cloud financial success and sustainable growth.
