Right-Sizing AWS Resources: The Secret to Cloud Efficiency

What is Right-Sizing in AWS?

Right-sizing means adjusting the type, size, and number of AWS resources you’re using so they perfectly match your workload requirements. It’s about finding the sweet spot between cost and performance — not under-provisioning (risking slow performance) and not over-provisioning (wasting money).

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Why Right-Sizing Matters

1. Cost Savings – Avoid paying for unused capacity.
2. Performance Optimisation – Ensure workloads get exactly the resources they need.
3. Scalability – Easily adapt to changing workloads without overspending.
4. Sustainability – Use fewer resources, reduce energy consumption, and lower your carbon footprint.

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Common Signs You Need to Right-Size

• EC2 instances are running at low CPU or memory usage most of the time.
• RDS databases with plenty of unused capacity.
• Storage volumes that are larger than necessary.
• Bills increasing without an equivalent workload increase.

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The D55 Right-Sizing Approach

When D55 helps clients right-size their AWS infrastructure, we follow a four-step optimisation process:

1. Workload Analysis

We review your AWS usage data, metrics, and historical trends to identify under-utilised or over-utilised resources.

2. Rightsizing Recommendations

We suggest changes to EC2 instance types, storage volumes, or service configurations — for example, moving from a large instance to a medium one, or using AWS Auto Scaling for variable workloads.

3. Implementation & Testing

We apply changes in stages, testing performance to ensure your applications run smoothly

4. Continuous Monitoring

Right-sizing is not a one-time task. We monitor workloads regularly so your AWS setup adapts to your business growth and seasonal demand.

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Case Example: Energy Pricing Platform

One of our energy sector clients was running over-provisioned EC2 instances for complex pricing calculations. By implementing AWS Lambda and Auto Scaling, D55 reduced their idle costs to zero while maintaining the ability to process 200M+ calculations on demand.

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Best Practices for AWS Right-Sizing

• Use AWS Cost Explorer and Compute Optimizer to track usage.
• Tag resources for visibility by department or project.
• Set up alerts for under-utilised instances.
• Review usage every quarter — workloads change, and so should your resources.

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Ready to Optimise Your AWS?

If your AWS bill is creeping up or your infrastructure feels overbuilt, right-sizing could save you thousands annually.

At D55, we specialise in AWS cost optimisation, cloud modernisation, and scalability solutions for SMEs and energy businesses.