
Cloud cost management
For full transparency of your cloud costs
Cloud cost management from MaibornWolff
Unexpected cost explosions, inefficient use of resources and non-transparent billing - sound familiar? Then unfortunately you are one of those companies that burn money unnecessarily every day without targeted cloud cost management. The good news: it doesn't have to stay that way!
MaibornWolff brings structure to your cost management: we identify potential savings, optimize your cloud usage and establish a sustainable financing model - individually tailored to your company.
Customized solutions
We develop customized strategies for cost-efficient cloud use and accompany you all the way to your goal.
Cost optimization
Our solutions fit your business model and ensure that every cent is invested wisely in the cloud.
Holistic approach
Cooperation at eye level. People are at the center of all our technological and strategic considerations.
10 years of experience
Benefit from our expertise from numerous cloud projects and a strong partner network - for sustainable, proven best practices.
What is cloud cost management?
The cloud gives companies the freedom to use IT resources exactly when they are needed. But it is precisely this flexibility that can quickly add up: unused instances bob up and down, poor scaling drives up costs and opaque billing models lead to surprises that nobody wants.
This is where cloud cost management, also known as cloud financial management, comes into play. It helps companies to keep their cloud costs under control - without sacrificing performance or scalability. Cloud cost management means making clever use of strategies, processes and tools to analyze, optimize and manage expenses over the long term. The goal? To reduce costs! However, this is not just about making savings, but also about the intelligent and efficient use of cloud resources.
Are FinOps and cloud cost management the same thing?
No. Cloud cost management focuses purely on optimizing costs in the cloud through analysis, transparency and increased efficiency. FinOps goes one step further and combines finance, IT and business strategy in order to not only reduce cloud expenditure, but to use it optimally for business purposes.
Cloud cost management from MaibornWolff - your benefits
We bring order to your expenses with cloud cost management. MaibornWolff relies on a holistic, strategic approach that combines technical excellence with economic know-how:
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Full transparency - We create a clear cost overview, identify unnecessary expenditure and ensure structured cost allocation.
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Optimized use of resources - Whether oversized servers or unused storage - we analyze resources at all levels and optimize them in a targeted manner.
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Anchoring cost awareness - We train your developers to include cost aspects in their architecture and design decisions right from the start.
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Without expensive third-party tools - We rely on the providers' in-house cloud tools (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and supplement these with open source solutions.
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Flexible approach - We offer solutions for all levels of maturity: from streamlining unused resources to introducing comprehensive FinOps.

Thanks to the MaibornWolff teams, who first led us from the symptoms to the cause in our project and showed us the way with good digital design how better software can be created faster with less effort.
Our references & projects
A reference is worth more than 1,000 words. Fortunately, we have dozens of them. Click through a selection of our most exciting projects and see for yourself!
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MAN: Efficient threat analysis for control unitsLearn more
Digitalization increases cyber risks - especially for MAN's new CM4 control unit. Our experts use the 4×6 methodology and ThreatSea to identify threats at an early stage and develop targeted protective measures. Find out how MAN uses intelligent risk analysis to strengthen the security of its vehicles.
MAN: Efficient threat analysis for control unitsLearn more7 monthsProject duration
Over 20 workshopsThreat analyses
Over 500Potential risks evaluated
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Siemens: AI demand prediction platform for industrial production planningRead more
Siemens is looking to the future with the AI Demand Prediction Platform. Thanks to machine learning and AutoML, precise demand forecasts can be created for over 100 products and production can be better planned. Launched as a proof of concept, the platform quickly developed into a system that can be used productively. The self-service web application will soon be used in other plants.
Siemens: AI demand prediction platform for industrial production planningRead moreProject durationSince February 2022
Proof of conceptin a few weeks
Time series predictionfor 100 different products
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TÜV NORD GPT: Development of AI assistanceRead more
Find relevant information faster by chatting with documents? It's possible! The TÜV NORD GROUP uses GPT technology in the secure Microsoft Azure Cloud. With the aim of optimizing knowledge management and efficiency. The system enables new usage options within the testing group and is operated securely. Find out more about the innovative AI assistance system now.
TÜV NORD GPT: Development of AI assistanceRead moreProject durationsince September 2023
33.000GPT applications in the first month
ChatGPT Model 4in the European Microsoft Azure Cloud
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Schöck components: Improvement of the requirements processRead more
Together with MaibornWolff, the construction industry specialist optimized the requirements management of its Scalix design software. Thanks to the digital design approach, the technical requirements were re-specified and the software was further developed in a user-centered manner. The aim is to continuously increase user satisfaction and integrate internal and external interests. Read more about the methodology and results now!
Schöck components: Improvement of the requirements processRead moreProject durationsince 2022
Team size2-3 Digital Designer:inside
In 2024Scalix replaces old software -
VW: Digitization of key production figures with the iProcess appRead more
Less paper, more efficiency: Volkswagen replaces analog processes with the iProcess app. Cloud-native technologies and digital design enable intuitive recording and analysis of key production figures. This increases transparency and overall equipment effectiveness and paves the way for predictive maintenance at the automotive group.
VW: Digitization of key production figures with the iProcess appRead moreProject durationSince January 2021
Team size5 to 10 persons
Fast app developmentthanks to Digital Design
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DER Touristik: Become a digital travel companion in 7 monthsRead more
Travel information, bookings, support - all in one app. With Flutter, MaibornWolff developed a cross-platform solution for DER Touristik. In just seven months, a stable app was created for iOS and Android that supports multiple brands, languages and countries. This is how customer proximity travels.
DER Touristik: Become a digital travel companion in 7 monthsRead more7 monthsFrom Kickoff to Go Live
iOS and AndroidDigital travel companion
Whitelabelling solutionUncomplicated integration of additional brands, languages and countries
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Mixed reality: driving a real car in a virtual worldRead more
Virtual racing in a real car? MaibornWolff made it possible for the BMW M. Within three months, we used Unreal Engine 4 to develop a prototype that processes vehicle signals with high performance and creates an immersive driving experience without motion sickness. The cockpit remains real, the surroundings become the racetrack.
Mixed reality: driving a real car in a virtual worldRead more<3 monthsFrom the vision to the prototype
3D applicationsin real time
TeamUnreal development, XR technology, game design, smart devices, 3D content
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KUKA: Web interface for a new Human Machine InterfaceRead more
Rethinking robotics: KUKA is working with us to develop iiQKA.OS - an operating system with an intuitive web HMI. Using web technologies and scrum methods, we enable flexible customization and simple control. Open collaboration makes robotics more accessible than ever before.
KUKA: Web interface for a new Human Machine InterfaceRead moreGoalReplacing the current control software
iiQKA.OSFast and intuitive development
> 11,000 hoursProject work
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STIHL: Control iMOW robotic mower via appRead more
Robot mower redefined: The iMOW from STIHL makes lawn care smarter. Our software expertise combined with STIHL's hardware know-how ensures intuitive app control. The result? A networked device that makes gardening easier - simple, efficient, innovative.
STIHL: Control iMOW robotic mower via appRead moreProject durationsince August 2020
Robot mowerControl via app
Process optimizationwith the customer
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DEKRA: Modern enterprise architecture thanks to co-creationRead more
New IT for a sustainable future: the global auditing group needed to modernize its IT landscape. Co-Creation created a harmonized architecture and the EA Community promotes cross-border exchange for strong IT until 2025 - and beyond.
DEKRA: Modern enterprise architecture thanks to co-creationRead moreMost important method:Building an EA community
Created conceptEnterprise Architecture
Cooperationat eye level
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Miele domestic appliances are networked worldwideRead more
How do household appliances become smart? Miele relies on an IoT platform that we played a key role in developing. Container-based architecture ensures stable communication, DevOps for continuous improvement - so that smart appliances can be found in millions of households worldwide.
Miele domestic appliances are networked worldwideRead moreProject durationsince 2016
Success factors:High availability and scalability
IoT platformwith container-based architecture
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MAN: Secure Software Development Life CycleRead more
Trucks are networked - and therefore unfortunately also targets for attack. With SSDLC, MAN relies on security by design and integrates the highest security standards directly into development. Together with 22 teams, we have established security measures that go beyond the legal requirements.
MAN: Secure Software Development Life CycleRead more22 monthsProject duration
UNECE R155successfully integratedMethodsSecurity Champions, DevSecOps, OWASP SAMM
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It's LOS: Building a cloud-based low-code applicationRead more
Democracy meets digitalization: For "Es geht LOS!", we developed a low-code app for candidate management in five weeks. Built on AWS, it enables secure draws and efficient user management - for more citizen participation digitally.
It's LOS: Building a cloud-based low-code applicationRead moreProject durationSince the beginning of 2022
MVPin only 5 weeks
TechnologiesAmplify, AppSync, CodeCommit, IAM, Cognito, DynamoDB, Lambda
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Monitoring alarms in industrial plantsRead more
Safety in industrial plants requires a real-time overview. We developed a live monitoring platform that networks measuring devices and collects data via Azure IoT and Kubernetes. A scalable MVP was created in just three months: alarms appear in under ten seconds thanks to automated data acquisition via smartphone and Bluetooth.
Monitoring alarms in industrial plantsRead more3 yearsProject duration
<3 monthsto the MVP
Cloud migrationModernization & relocation -
Planning systems: Optimizing the capacity utilization of pressing plantsRead more
Maximum capacity utilization, minimum costs: Our customer relies on a central planning system for pressing plants. We have been supporting its further development with .NET Core, GraphQL and PostgreSQL for over ten years. Now the journey is moving to the cloud - for greater scalability, flexibility and efficiency.
Planning systems: Optimizing the capacity utilization of pressing plantsRead more>10 yearsCustomer support
Technological modernizationCloud-ready platformEfficiency through dataSite-specific cost planning -
Global workforce planning systemRead more
How do you achieve globally harmonized workforce planning? With a modern web application based on domain-driven design and hexagonal architecture. Event sourcing ensures transparent traceability, while Azure and Quarkus provide stability and scalability. The result: a flexible, future-proof solution.
Global workforce planning systemRead moreTeam sizeUp to 8 employees
Domain Driven DesignDevelopment approach
Microsoft Azure Cloudallows easy roll-out of new versions
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DER Touristik Online: Development and migration of a multi-client capable travel booking platformRead more
Different brands, one platform: DER Touristik merges several independent websites. We are supporting the migration to the AWS cloud with digital design, microservices and testing. The focus is on performance, SEO and UX - for a seamless digital travel experience.
DER Touristik Online: Development and migration of a multi-client capable travel booking platformRead moreStandardized platformMulti-client travel portalQuality assuranceEnd-2-End test automationCloud transformationMigration to AWS cloud -
KUKA: UI/UX design for an app for load data analysis for industrial robotsRead more
How do you reduce support requests? With a smart UX! KUKA and MaibornWolff developed a web-based application for load data analysis. Through "Understand/Build/Learn" we recognized challenges early on and validated solutions for an intuitive user experience.
KUKA: UI/UX design for an app for load data analysis for industrial robotsRead moreMethodProduct Experience Design
Customer requestEasier interaction between users and the system
Our goalOptimized load data analysis, fewer support requests, higher satisfaction -
BMW Group: Replacement of a production-critical legacy systemRead more
20-year-old system, new digital future. We gradually migrated production software to a flexible architecture. After two years, central plants were running on the new solution - stable, fail-safe and ready for the challenges of tomorrow.
BMW Group: Replacement of a production-critical legacy systemRead moreProject durationMid-2018 to the beginning of 2024
Team size25 employees
Legacy systemreplaced after 20 years
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BMW Group: Virtual reality brings vehicle design to lifeRead more
From the first draft to series production - BMW uses VR to visualize the entire development process. Based on the Unreal Engine, a uniform platform visualizes designs and processes. This saves on hardware prototypes and enables location-independent collaboration. MaibornWolff plays a key role in driving the development and integration of these VR use cases.
BMW Group: Virtual reality brings vehicle design to lifeRead more3.2 yearsProject duration
CooperationLocation-independent and virtual
InfrastructureScalable and expandable thanks to the cloud
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BMW Group: Remote software upgrade for vehiclesRead more
No visits to the workshop, no stress - thanks to Remote Software Upgrade, BMW vehicles worldwide remain up-to-date "over-the-air". MaibornWolff has been developing and operating the backend for secure updates for over three years. Microservice architectures and DevOps approaches guarantee stability, performance and security.
BMW Group: Remote software upgrade for vehiclesRead more5 yearsProject duration
Millions of vehiclesreceive new features thanks to "over-the-air" upgrade
IT securityAlways up-to-date thanks to remote software upgrade
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Creditreform: Secure proof of identity on the webRead more
Verifying online identities in a forgery-proof manner while maintaining user-friendliness - CrefoTrust makes it possible. Together, we developed a solution that creates trust with blockchain technology and proofs of concept. Personal and company data remain protected, while verifications run smoothly.
Creditreform: Secure proof of identity on the webRead more5 yearsProject duration
Pilot testsbased on several PoCs
Decentralized identityallows tamper-proof storage of identities and company information
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Bayernwerk: Knowledge management via teamsRead more
Experience must not be lost - Bayernwerk digitizes the knowledge of long-standing employees. MaibornWolff designed an intuitive MS Teams app with a clear UX/UI. Close collaboration, lived Scrum values and user-centered development make the app a success. Promoting exchange, optimizing processes - this is how knowledge transfer works today.
Bayernwerk: Knowledge management via teamsRead more6 monthsProject duration
Target:Identify implicit knowledge
Requirements:a user-centered, intuitive and clear UX/UI design
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Weidmüller: Progression of the Industrial Service PlatformRead more
IoT meets agility - Weidmüller and MaibornWolff developed the easyConnect platform for remote access, data visualization and machine learning. After intensive exploration, an MVP was created, accompanied by a cross-functional Scrum team. Making Industrial IoT smarter and more efficient.
Weidmüller: Progression of the Industrial Service PlatformRead more12 monthsup to the MVP
8 weeks analysisof professional, technical and organizational factors
Innovative portalfor end-to-end solutions
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SMA: Development of a Web UI for ennexOS platformRead more
Optimizing energy flows, reducing costs - we have been developing the Web UI of the ennexOS platform with SMA Solar Technology since 2016. It digitizes energy management processes for over a million users and combines smart solutions for a sustainable energy future.
SMA: Development of a Web UI for ennexOS platformRead moreProject durationsince 2016
> 1.000Modules and components in ennexOS platform
> 7.000Fuse tests
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digikoo GmbH: Apple Vision Pro for city plannersRead more
Planning cities smarter: Together with TUM, we developed the 3Digipad for Apple Vision Pro. It visualizes complex energy data in 3D and makes scenarios intuitively tangible. Dynamic building data and KPIs support urban planners in making sustainable decisions.
digikoo GmbH: Apple Vision Pro for city plannersRead more4 monthsProject duration
3D map with KPIsDisplay building data dynamicallyEnergy dataImmersive visualization -
digikoo: A data platform for the Azure CloudRead more
Structured geodata, automated quality assurance, seamless provision - we developed a powerful Snowflake data platform on Azure for Digikoo. It makes analysis easier for data scientists and lays the foundation for precise forecasts and new use cases.
digikoo: A data platform for the Azure CloudRead more5 monthsProject duration
Climate changePlan digitally and implement efficiently
Foundation data platformMicrosoft Azure Cloud
Challenges in cloud cost management
Cloud costs can quickly get out of hand. What initially appears to be a flexible and scalable solution often turns into a financial challenge. Suddenly, bills start to rise, budgets are blown and there is no overview of where exactly the costs are being incurred. But why is it so difficult to manage cloud costs efficiently? Companies face a number of technical and organizational challenges here:
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Hidden costs: Data transfers, unused resources or non-optimized instances often lead to unexpected expenses.
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Automation & integration: Setting up automated processes for cost control is complex and requires expertise.
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Efficient data management: Large volumes of usage and cost data must be recorded and analyzed transparently.
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Lack of transparency: Finance and IT departments often do not work closely enough together, which leads to unclear costs.
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Lack of governance: Without defined processes and guidelines, resources are used inefficiently.
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Cost awareness in the company: The corporate culture must change so that teams think about costs as early as the architectural planning stage.
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Skills shortage: Without in-depth knowledge of cloud cost mechanisms, many potential savings remain untapped.
Where we start with cloud financial management
With our structured cloud financial management, we help you to sustainably optimize your cloud costs and set up your IT infrastructure economically. With a tailored strategy, clear governance processes and an experienced team of experts, we create transparency and reduce unnecessary expenditure. This gives you full control over your cloud costs and ensures that your resources are used optimally - for maximum efficiency and long-term cost security.
Cloud financial management - our services
The satisfaction of our customers is our top priority. That's why we work with you as equals and rely on a partnership approach. Instead of just pointing out theoretical optimization potential, we implement it directly and continuously monitor its efficiency:

Analysis & Optimization
We check your cloud environment from the ground up and identify potential savings:
- Recognizing and removing unused or inefficient resources
- Optimization of oversized VMs, storage and workloads
- Ensuring an economical and scalable setup
Strategic consulting
Cloud cost management is an ongoing process - we support you in the long term:
- Systematic optimization according to the proven process: Exploration → PoC → Scale → Continuous Improvement
- Regular review of measures for efficiency
- Use of FinOps KPIs and DORA metrics to measure success
Part of your cloud strategy
We consider cloud costs right from the start - for an efficient infrastructure in the long term:
- Embedding in cloud migration, cloud readiness checks and cloud transformation
- Support throughout the entire life cycle of a cloud project
- Possibility of long-term support and handover to your teams
The process of cloud financial management
Every company has individual challenges when it comes to cloud costs. Some only need a targeted clean-up of unused resources, others want to establish comprehensive cost management. That's why we rely on a structured approach that adapts flexibly to your requirements. We go through four central phases: Exploration, PoC, Scale and Continuous Improvement - for sustainable and efficient cloud utilization.

1. Arriving & creating transparency
In the first step, we analyze your current cloud status and identify optimization potential. We clarify questions such as:
- Which cloud resources are being provided unused?
- Where are unnecessary costs being incurred due to inefficient structures?
- Are there already measures in place that can be developed further?
At the same time, we look at the collaboration between Finance, Engineering, Product and Purchasing. Our aim is to establish permanent communication channels and create a common set of expectations - because efficient cloud financial management only works if everyone involved is pulling in the same direction.
2. Develop & test strategy
Once we have gained clarity about your cloud cost structures, we develop a customized strategy. We rely on tried and tested methods such as
- Tagging strategies to be able to allocate costs granularly
- Detailed analyses to identify realistic potential savings
- Proof of concept (PoC) - a test phase in which we test the effectiveness of the measures developed in a limited area
In this way, we ensure that all measures are practical and tailored to your company before they are rolled out on a large scale.
3. Implementation & continuous improvement
The successful trial is followed by scaling: the proven strategy is rolled out to the entire cloud environment. We not only support you during implementation, but also continuously optimize the measures.
- We identify and reduce oversized resources
- We ensure that cloud usage is dynamically adapted to actual requirements
- Regular consulting appointments help to maintain a long-term overview
Whether as a one-off check or as long-term support - we adapt our support flexibly to your needs.
4. Measure & continuously optimize success
Cloud financial management is not a static process. We continuously monitor the effectiveness of the measures and adapt them to changing requirements. We rely on proven metrics:
- Individual KPIs that we tailor specifically to your company
- DORA metrics to measure economic success and efficiency
This continuous improvement ensures that your cloud remains powerful, cost-efficient and future-proof in the long term.
Your partner for sustainable cloud cost management
Efficient cloud cost management means more than just savings - it creates transparency, optimizes processes and ensures a sustainable cloud strategy. With MaibornWolff, you have a partner at your side who combines technological expertise with economic foresight. We help you to get your cloud costs under control without restricting your company's innovative strength. Let's work together to make your cloud more efficient, scalable and future-proof.
FAQs: Frequently asked questions about cloud cost management
How long does a cloud cost management consultation take?
This depends on the size and complexity of your cloud environment. An initial health check usually takes 3-4 weeks, while a full strategy implementation can take several months. We adapt the scope flexibly to your requirements.
Can cloud cost management work without FinOps?
While FinOps is a comprehensive framework that combines finance, IT and business strategy, cloud cost management focuses purely on cost optimization. Companies that do not require a complete FinOps approach still benefit from professional cloud cost management that creates transparency, allocates resources efficiently and prevents unnecessary expenditure.
Why are additional cloud tools often unnecessary?
Many companies rely on third-party tools to monitor and optimize their cloud costs. However, in most cases, the cloud providers' in-house tools already offer all the essential functions for effective cost management. We deliberately rely on these native tools and supplement them with open source solutions and our expertise.