Executive summary
Gamerji, an Indian gaming platform, wanted a lower monthly cloud bill without making the platform slower or less reliable for players. It ran on AWS with a separate MongoDB bill, US$12,050 a month in total. DevOps TechLab assessed, priced and moved the platform to Azure and the databases to Azure DocumentDB in three weeks, with one short planned switch-over. The monthly bill fell 36%, a saving of about US$52,488 a year.
- Client
- Gamerji · Gaming
- Business problem
- A high monthly cloud and database bill: US$12,050 a month.
- What we delivered
- Migration from AWS to Azure, and MongoDB to Azure DocumentDB, sized for real usage.
- Timeline
- Three weeks, with one short planned switch-over
- Outcome
- 36% lower monthly bill: about US$52,488 saved a year
The bill, before and after
| Before | After | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud infrastructure (monthly) | US$8,350 on AWS | US$5,511 on Azure | 34% lower |
| Database (monthly) | US$3,700 for MongoDB | US$2,165 on Azure DocumentDB | 41% lower |
| Total (monthly) | US$12,050 | US$7,676 | 36% lower |
| Saving per year | About US$52,488 | ||
Azure infrastructure is shown at 34% below the previous AWS bill, rounded to the nearest dollar.
The business challenge
Gamerji ran on AWS, with its MongoDB databases on a separate MongoDB bill. Together they came to US$12,050 a month. The aim was a lower monthly cost, without making the platform slower or less reliable for players.
Why it mattered
- Cost was the priority
The aim was a lower monthly bill for the same platform.
- Two bills to manage
The database sat on a separate MongoDB bill from the cloud platform.
- Players expect it always on
Any migration had to keep disruption for players to a minimum.
- Room to right-size
A move was a chance to size resources for what the platform actually used.
What Gamerji set out to achieve
- Cut the monthly cloud and database bill.
- Keep the platform as fast and reliable for players.
- Move the databases without rewriting the application.
- Price the target setup before anything moved.
- Switch over in one short, planned window.
The solution: a priced, right-sized move to Azure
DevOps TechLab matched each AWS service to its Azure equivalent, sized for actual use rather than copied one for one, and priced the result before anything moved. The MongoDB data moved to Azure DocumentDB, Microsoft’s managed MongoDB-compatible database, so the application kept talking to a MongoDB-style database.
Key design choices
- Price before you move
The target environment was sized for real usage and priced before any migration work started.
- A compatible managed database
Azure DocumentDB is MongoDB-compatible, so the application kept working with a MongoDB-style database.
- Build alongside
The Azure environment was built next to AWS and tested before switching.
- One clean switch-over
The final move happened in one short planned window at a quiet time for players.
What it runs on now
| Azure service | Role in the solution |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Azure | Cloud infrastructure for the gaming platform |
| Azure DocumentDB | Managed, MongoDB-compatible database |
How we delivered
- 01Assess
Mapped every part of Gamerji’s AWS setup and the MongoDB databases, and how much each really used.
- 02Plan & price
Matched each AWS service to its Azure equivalent, sized for actual use, and priced it before anything moved.
- 03Move the data
Moved the MongoDB data to Azure DocumentDB.
- 04Build, test, switch
Built Azure alongside AWS, tested it, then switched over in one short planned window.
Business outcomes
Gamerji now pays 36% less every month for the same platform its players rely on.
- Monthly bill down 36%
From US$12,050 to US$7,676 a month, about US$4,374 saved every month.
- About US$52,488 saved a year
The saving recurs every year at current usage.
- Infrastructure 34% lower
US$8,350 on AWS down to about US$5,511 on Azure.
- Database 41% lower
US$3,700 for MongoDB down to US$2,165 on Azure DocumentDB.
- Done in three weeks
One short planned switch-over at a quiet time for players.
What’s next
With costs reset, Gamerji can grow on a right-sized platform. DevOps TechLab advises on the cloud that fits each business, AWS, Azure or Google Cloud, and prices the move before anything changes.
Lessons for leadership teams
- Price before you move. Sizing for real usage, not copying the old setup, is where much of the saving comes from.
- Look at the database bill separately. A managed, compatible database on the new cloud can cut a separate database bill sharply.
- Plan one clean switch-over. Build alongside, test, then move in a short window at your quietest time.
DevOps TechLab is a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Cloud and AI Platforms and an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner. We have moved 275+ workloads to the cloud and manage 265+ cloud environments, so we can advise on the cloud that fits the business, not the one we prefer.
Questions people ask
How long did Gamerji’s migration take?
Three weeks from start to finish, with one short planned switch-over window at a quiet time for players.
How much did Gamerji save?
Its monthly cloud bill fell from US$12,050 to US$7,676, about 36% lower, or roughly US$52,488 a year.
What is Azure DocumentDB?
Microsoft’s managed database on Azure that is compatible with MongoDB, so applications built for MongoDB can use it.
Is your cloud bill higher than it should be?
Book a free migration assessment. We price your setup on the cloud that fits, before anything moves.
