What information is typically included in 'Cost Reports'?

The selection of cost breakdowns by resource type and usage data is the most relevant information typically included in cost reports. Cost reports are designed to give a clear and structured view of how much is being spent across various Cloud resources. They allow customers to analyze costs not only by the different types of resources, such as computing, storage, and networking, but also by their usage patterns over time. This detailed analysis helps organizations understand which specific services incur costs, enabling better decision-making about resource allocation and spending controls.

While individual salaries and benefits, cloud service provider contracts, and historical data of past financial years may play a role in broader financial assessments or budget planning, they are not the primary focus of cost reports in the context of cloud cost management. Cost reports are generally forward-looking, helping organizations to manage and optimize their current cloud expenditures based on real-time usage metrics, making the breakdown by resource type and usage data essential for effective cloud financial management.