Insights from EPI-USE expert Chris Townsend on the Jon Myer Podcast.
Cloud migration continues to be a central strategy for enterprises aiming to modernize infrastructure and improve agility. Yet, as Chris Townsend, Senior Director at EPI-USE Services for AWS, explained on the Jon Myer Podcast, migration by itself does not guarantee cost savings or operational efficiency. What separates success from stagnation is a disciplined approach anchored in readiness, optimization, and governance.
In this episode recorded during AWS re:Invent 2025, Townsend challenges the common assumption that enterprises automatically reduce costs simply by shifting workloads to AWS. Instead, he emphasizes that true value realization starts long before workloads hit the cloud, with strategic assessment and optimization that align business goals with technical execution.
The Cloud Cost Myth: Migration Isn’t Optimization
A common disconnect is equating cloud migration with automatic cost reduction. Townsend highlighted that treating the cloud like an on-premises data center, simply “lifting and shifting” existing workloads, often carries forward legacy inefficiencies and can lead to inflated cloud bills.
“Migration without optimization risks turning your cloud environment into an expensive version of your old data center.” Chris Townsend, Senior Director at EPI-USE Services for AWS
This insight resonates with organizations that see elevated AWS spend post-migration because legacy sizing, unused resources, or lack of governance persist beyond the move.
Where Waste Typically Occurs
From a technical and business perspective, waste often emerges in three core areas:
- Over-provisioned resources: Instances sized for peak demand without rightsizing for actual utilization.
- Unneeded workloads: Systems migrated but rarely used, yet still billed.
- Limited governance: Lack of a framework that ensures accountability for cloud cost and architectural decisions.
Townsend points out that without systematic analysis before shifting to the cloud, organizations can see 20–30% of their AWS spend tied up in waste and in some cases, much more.
Assessment Before Migration: A Strategic Advantage
Townsend shared how EPI-USE’s WHALE Assessment helps organizations uncover optimization opportunities before migration begins. This structured evaluation focuses on usage profiles, footprint reduction, instance sizing, and architectural improvements, all designed to lower spend and reduce risk.
By addressing inefficiencies up front, enterprises can make informed decisions about what to migrate and how to configure workloads for performance and cost efficiency in AWS.
“Pre-migration assessment isn’t just best practice, it’s the foundation for realizing cloud value.” Chris Townsend, Senior Director at EPI-USE Services for AWS
Optimizing Without Re-architecting
One practical takeaway from the discussion was that not all savings require ground-up redesign. With advances in technology, such as newer AWS instance types and processor generations, enterprises can achieve cost savings through right-sizing and platform modernization.
For example, leveraging more efficient compute options can lead to significant reductions in spend while supporting workload performance, without the expense and disruption of a full re-architecture.
Key Takeaways for Leaders
Executives and technical leaders alike can benefit from reframing how they approach cloud initiatives:
- Cloud migration is just one step. Meaningful cost savings come from optimization and governance.
- Early assessment pays dividends. Understanding your environment before migrating reduces risk and spend.
- Ongoing cost accountability matters. Embedding cost governance into cloud operations drives sustainable outcomes.
Want to Drive Real Value from Your Migration?
Migration alone won’t deliver cost savings but a strategic, data-driven approach can.
If your organization is preparing to move to AWS or already underway, consider how assessment and optimization can reduce waste and accelerate value realization.
Listen to the full podcast episode and explore how EPI-USE can help you build a cost-efficient, optimized cloud environment.