When it comes to managing your cloud costs, the last thing you want is to be surprised. So it’s important to use whatever tools are available that help with monitoring and forecasting.
On Azure, one such tool is the ability to subscribe to a cost view from the Azure Cost Analysis portal. Check out this screenshot:
This is a periodic email I receive from Cost Analysis that shows the daily cost view of one of my management groups. At a glance, I’m able to see if there are any anomalies to avoid unpleasant spikes and surprises (this is also an aid in detecting breaches since, a sudden, unexpected spike in usage would certainly be a red flag).
How did I create this alert?
From the main page of the Cost Analysis interface, you see whatever default view you’ve used in the past:
The Cost Analysis interface includes several built-in views, such as by resource or accumulated, that can be selected to change the visual’s emphasis.
The default views can’t be shared via emailed alerts but, by saving a default as a custom view, more possibilities emerge.
By choosing “Save as” from a default view, you can create a custom view.
Once your custom view has been saved, you can, from that view, choose “Subscribe“.
From the “Subscribe to emails” interface, you can configure recipients, configure the subject heading, add a CSV for analysis and select the time range to begin and end the notifications.
By using custom views, and the subscription service, it’s possible to receive timely alerts about the cost status of Azure resources directly to your Inbox (which is just what you need, more email).
Azure FinOps 