CUD, RI, EDP, MACC — hyperscaler commitment models are designed to obscure the real cost of switching. This guide cuts through the complexity to show you exactly how to negotiate cloud contracts, maximise discounts and avoid lock-in.
Google's CUDs, AWS Reserved Instances and Microsoft's Azure Monetary Commit compared head-to-head. Which commitment model delivers maximum value in your architecture.
How to negotiate free credits into every hyperscaler deal. The $1M+ credit packages that AWS, Azure and GCP routinely offer — but never proactively share.
How to build portable cloud architecture that preserves negotiating leverage. The 7 vendor lock-in patterns to avoid and how to use multi-cloud credibly without the operational cost.
AWS Enterprise Discount Programs explained — what commitment levels unlock what discounts, and how to negotiate EDP terms that work in your favour when spend changes.
How to use your on-premises estate as leverage in cloud contract negotiations. The analysis that gets hyperscalers to compete on price instead of assuming your migration.
The 12 hidden hyperscaler costs that inflate your actual cloud spend by 20–35%. Data egress, support tiers, marketplace markups and how to eliminate or negotiate each one.
| Factor | AWS (RI / EDP) | Azure (MACC / CUA) | Google Cloud (CUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discount vs On-Demand | Up to 72% | Up to 65% | Up to 57% |
| Minimum Commitment | $1M+ for EDP | $500K+ for MACC | No minimum for CUDs |
| Flexibility / Portability | Convertible RIs help | Low — Azure-locked | Resource-based, portable |
| Unused Commitment Risk | High — use it or lose it | High on MACC | Moderate |
| Negotiability | Moderate at scale | High — EA linkage | Moderate at scale |
| Credit Availability | Substantial for migration | Linked to EA deal | Available, deal-specific |
| Exit Flexibility | Better than Azure | Complex exit path | Better portability |
Full analysis with deal-size-adjusted recommendations and real engagement data in the white paper download.
Before signing your first hyperscaler commitment, understand the leverage you have — and how to use it. The negotiation window closes once you migrate.
Tasked with cutting cloud costs. This guide covers the discount and commitment mechanisms your hyperscaler account team won't walk you through unprompted.
Reviewing or renegotiating cloud contracts. The clause-by-clause guide to cloud MSA terms, EDP provisions and exit rights that protect your organisation.
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Our cloud negotiation advisors have executed EDP renegotiations, CUD optimisations and multi-cloud restructures that save enterprises millions every year. We work on fixed-fee and gain-share models.
Related: AWS Advisory · Google Cloud Advisory · Cloud Optimisation · All White Papers