Effective Augmentation: A Global Auction Platform's Blueprint for Cloud Cost Reduction

Client Overview

The client is a pioneering online auction platform connecting global buyers with property investment opportunities across multiple countries including the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, and South Africa. The online auction platform offers a fully digital experience, enabling users to view, bid, and complete property transactions seamlessly online, transforming traditional property auctions into a frictionless and transparent global marketplace.

Business Challenge

The client’s business model relies on a robust cloud infrastructure spanning multiple regions to support real-time auction activities, user engagement, and secure transactions. However, scaling and maintaining cloud resources and Microsoft licensing costs often led to escalating expenses, impacting profit margins and operational efficiency.

To sustain growth and optimise expenditures, the client aimed to:

• Reduce cloud operating costs and Microsoft license costs by at least €500 daily.

• Implement continuous cloud cost management and rightsizing.

• Integrate FinOps practices within internal teams.

• Maintain agility through staff augmentation with specialised technical talent with Dynamics 365, .NET, and Python experience.

• Optimise platform architecture and product delivery aligned with cost management goals.

DreamDev’s Solution

DreamDev partnered with the client to embed a dedicated cloud engineer and specialised developers through staff augmentation as part of ongoing FinOps and product delivery teams. This approach facilitated close collaboration and rapid response toward cost and license optimisation initiatives, including:

• Comprehensive Azure Cloud and Microsoft License Cost Analysis: In-depth review of cloud resource usage, Microsoft licensing entitlements, and cost drivers using Azure native tools and FinOps software.

• Rightsizing and License Optimisation: Identification and resizing of overprovisioned virtual machines, decommissioning idle resources, automation of scaling policies, and applying Azure tools to reduce license fees.

• Reserved Instance and Savings Plan Utilisation: Advising on long-term purchasing options within Azure to leverage additional discounts.

• Tagging, Budgeting, and Alerts: Implementing resource tagging, budgets, and cost alerts for transparent and proactive cost control.

• Platform Architecture Alignment: The augmented Dynamics 365, .NET, and Python developers worked alongside the cloud engineer to ensure the platform architecture supported scalable, cost-efficient product delivery.

• Continuous Monitoring and FinOps Integration: Establishing cost dashboards, alerts, and ongoing collaboration with product and finance teams to balance operational requirements and budget constraints.

  
  

Results and Impact

• 3X Daily Cost Savings: The cost of DreamDev’s augmented staff was offset by 3 times the daily cloud and license cost savings achieved.

• €500 Daily Cost Reduction: The client consistently saved at least €500 per day in Azure cloud and Microsoft license expenses, resulting in substantial long-term financial benefits.

• Streamlined Cloud and License Operations: FinOps practices enhanced budgeting, cost transparency, and license cost management.

• Enhanced Agility and Delivery: Staff augmentation with Dynamics 365, .NET, and Python expertise enabled flexible scaling of technical teams, accelerating product delivery while optimising cloud costs.

• Self-Funded Engagement: The realised cost savings more than covered the expense of DreamDev’s engagement, rendering the initiative cost-neutral in the long run.

  
  

By augmenting the client’s team with skilled cloud engineering, DreamDev was able to actively review and rightsize cloud resources, optimise licensing, and align platform architecture with FinOps best practices. This targeted expertise directly delivered measurable cost reductions and operational improvements. The engagement demonstrates how combining the right technical talent with cost‑focused governance can turn cloud optimisation into tangible business savings in fast‑moving, global digital marketplaces.