Cost Explorer Automation

Cost Explorer Automation

The Cost Explorer Automation is a Continuous automation that collects and processes AWS cost data, powering SkySaver’s cost analysis features.

How It Works

graph LR
    A[Cost Explorer Automation] --> B[Query AWS Cost Explorer API]
    B --> C[Process Cost Data]
    C --> D[Store in SkySaver]
    D --> E[Power Dashboards & Reports]

1. Collect - Queries the AWS Cost Explorer API for cost and usage data
2. Process - Aggregates data by service, account, region, and tags
3. Store - Saves processed data for visualization
4. Display - Powers dashboards, charts, and reports

Data Collected

Prerequisites

To use the Cost Explorer Automation:

1. Enable Cost Explorer - AWS Cost Explorer must be activated in your AWS account

2. IAM Permissions - The SkySaver role needs Cost Explorer API permissions:

   • ce:GetCostAndUsage
   • ce:GetRightsizingRecommendation
   • ce:GetSavingsPlansPurchaseRecommendation
   • ce:GetReservationPurchaseRecommendation

3. Cost and Usage Reports (Optional) - For enhanced detail, configure CUR:

   • s3:ListBucket
   • s3:GetObject
   • s3:GetBucketLocation

Configuration

Note: Enabling the Cost Explorer Automation also makes the Cost Explorer item appear in the main navigation menu. If you don’t see Cost Explorer in the menu, enable this automation first.

Verifying Permissions

1. Navigate to Tenant Management > Accounts tab
2. Click the ⋯ menu on the account and select Test Connection
3. Verify that the account shows “Configured”

Data Availability

Cost Allocation Tags

For tag-based cost breakdown, enable Cost Allocation Tags in AWS:

1. Go to AWS Billing Console > Cost Allocation Tags
2. Activate tags you want to track
3. Wait 24-48 hours for data to populate

Understanding the Data

Cost Metrics

Recommendations

Troubleshooting

Related Topics

• Cost Explorer - Using the Cost Explorer UI
• AWS Account Setup - IAM role configuration
• Dashboard - Viewing cost widgets