Episode 5: BTP Cost Management

Summary

In this episode, the focus is on managing costs for the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP). The speaker emphasizes the importance of monitoring costs, which can be done at the global account level within BTP. Users can track costs by service or account and even export data for further analysis. For more detailed monitoring, there is a community-driven application hosted on GitHub that offers enhanced features for tracking consumption, setting rules, and receiving alerts. This app provides additional functionality beyond the default BTP cost monitoring tools.

Takeaways

• 😀 Monitoring costs is crucial when using cloud applications.
• 😀 On the sub-business technology platform, costs can be tracked at the global account level.
• 😀 Authorization at the global account level is required to view cost details.
• 😀 The 'Costs and Usage' button provides detailed insights on costs by service or account.
• 😀 You can export cost details to Excel for further analysis.
• 😀 The platform provides functionality to monitor costs by service or account.
• 😀 A community-driven consumption monitoring app is available on GitHub.
• 😀 The GitHub app is created by an individual from SAP, but it is not an official SAP product.
• 😀 The app offers additional functionality for setting cost rules and monitoring alerts.
• 😀 The app helps users gain better visibility and control over their platform costs.
• 😀 It is recommended to leverage both the built-in platform features and the third-party app for comprehensive cost monitoring.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

The episode focuses on managing costs on the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) and how to monitor and track them effectively.

Why is monitoring costs important for cloud applications like SAP BTP?

Monitoring costs is essential for cloud applications to ensure efficient usage, prevent unexpected charges, and optimize the platform’s resources.

How can users monitor their costs on the SAP Business Technology Platform?

Users can monitor their costs at a global account level using the 'Costs and Usage' feature, which provides detailed breakdowns by service or account.

What authorization is required to view cost details on SAP BTP?

To view cost details, users need the appropriate authorization at the global account level.

What can users do with the 'Costs and Usage' feature on SAP BTP?

The 'Costs and Usage' feature allows users to view detailed cost information, break down expenses by service or account, and export data to Excel for further analysis.

Is there any other tool available for monitoring costs besides the SAP BTP features?

Yes, there is a community-developed app available on GitHub called the 'SAP Business Technology Platform Consumption Monitoring App,' which offers additional functionality for monitoring costs.

Is the SAP Business Technology Platform Consumption Monitoring App officially supported by SAP?

No, the app is a community-developed tool and is not officially supported by SAP, though it provides useful features for monitoring and alerting based on costs.

What additional features does the SAP Business Technology Platform Consumption Monitoring App provide?

The app offers more advanced functionality, such as setting rules, monitoring usage, and receiving alerts related to platform costs.

How can users implement the SAP Business Technology Platform Consumption Monitoring App?

Users can implement the app by following the instructions provided on its GitHub page, but it requires some technical knowledge as it is community-developed.

What is the benefit of using both the official SAP BTP tools and the community app for cost monitoring?

Using both provides users with comprehensive insights into their costs, allowing for both detailed analysis through the official tools and enhanced monitoring and alerting through the community app.