Question:

Could you elucidate on the pricing structure for utilizing the Azure VM Scheduler service?

Answer:

Azure Scheduler allows you to run jobs on simple or complex recurring schedules. It’s ideal for tasks like cleaning up logs, initiating backups, and other maintenance tasks. The service integrates into your applications to run jobs immediately, on a recurring schedule, or at any point in the future.

Pricing Tiers:

Azure Scheduler offers different pricing tiers to accommodate various needs and scales:

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Standard Tier: This is the entry-level tier, which includes unlimited job executions with a maximum execution frequency of every minute. You can have up to 10 job collections per unit, with each collection capable of holding 50 jobs. The price per month for one standard unit is $13.99

, billed on an hourly prorated basis.

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Premium Tiers: For more demanding requirements, premium tiers offer greater scalability. Premium P10 and P20 tiers provide unlimited job executions with the same frequency as the standard tier but allow for a significantly higher number of job collections and jobs per collection. The P10 tier costs $139.99 per unit per month, while the P20 tier is priced at $1,399.99 per unit per month

, also prorated hourly.

Additional Considerations:

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Scaling:

The number of job collections you can scale up to depends on the tier you choose. For more extensive scaling needs, you can contact Azure sales for more options.

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Outbound Authentication:

Included in both standard and premium tiers, allowing secure calls to services outside of Azure.

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Transition to Azure Logic Apps:

Starting September 30, 2019, Azure Logic Apps is replacing Azure Scheduler. For scheduling jobs, Azure recommends using Azure Logic Apps, which offers more advanced features and capabilities.

Cost Estimation Tools:

To help users estimate their costs, Azure provides a pricing calculator. This tool allows you to input your anticipated usage and receive an estimated cost, making it easier to plan and budget for your Azure services.

In summary, the Azure VM Scheduler’s pricing is designed to be transparent and scalable, ensuring that you only pay for what you use, with no upfront costs. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Azure provides the tools to estimate and manage your spending effectively.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s always best to consult the official Azure pricing page or contact an Azure sales specialist.