I'm trying to figure out how to estimate the costs for moving our external DNS to Azure, but I'm finding it really challenging. Our company doesn't have much presence in Azure yet, aside from a sponsored subscription while we were assessing some services. We utilize Microsoft 365 and other features, and I need to be spot on with budget estimates for next year, especially since we're under financial constraints typical for educational institutions. I've talked to both our Microsoft customer success account manager and our licensing partner, Dell, but I keep getting redirected to use the Azure pricing calculator without any clear answers about additional costs that might apply. I understand how to use the calculator, but I'm worried that the low estimate (under $50/month) might not cover everything I need to consider. Has anyone else gone through a similar transition to Azure DNS and can provide some insight or advice on what costs to factor in?
3 Answers
I’m not impressed with Dell as a licensing service provider. If you're unhappy with their support, maybe look for a different cloud service provider. That said, the Azure calculator is still your best bet for estimations.
Azure DNS is actually one of the more affordable services available, so I get why your calculator is showing under $50/month. Just remember to back up your records and consider putting a delete lock on your SOA record; once you delete those zones, they're gone for good!
From my experience, the Azure pricing calculator is pretty reliable for estimating costs, but I recommend adjusting your budget upwards by 30-40% just to be safe. Prices can fluctuate with new updates, changes in services, or emerging requirements, so it’s not an exact science. It's better to anticipate some extra costs if needed!
I agree, Dell has been pretty hit-or-miss for us too. It’s frustrating when they don’t provide the clarity we need. That really makes it harder to plan accurately.