In the challenging economic environment of South Africa, enterprises often find it difficult to realise a return on investment (ROI) from cloud computing. The volatility of the rand against major currencies, particularly the US dollar, has left organisations uncertain about budgeting for essential cloud services, a critical component of digital transformation initiatives.

Shifts and Movements of Foreign Currency

While the primary value proposition of cloud computing is cost reduction, currency fluctuations can hinder the achievement of this goal. For instance, the rand’s recent volatility, closing in early December 2023 at R18.97 to the US dollar compared to R17.05 in December 2022, has led to a rise in cloud costs, as indicated by the latest pricing data from the US government.

TechTarget’s recent media report highlights the US government’s inflation index for August, revealing a new record in cloud computing prices, surpassing the previous mark set in July. The Producer Price Index, released in September, reported a year-over-year price hike of 3.2% for data processing, hosting, and related services, a category in which cloud computing plays a vital role.

The escalating costs have put severe pressure on local organisations, particularly those paying for services – including cloud computing – in hard currency. The risk of unfavourable exchange rate movements adds to the financial challenges faced by these businesses.

ALP provides Local Comfort 

While cloud computing has the potential to reduce costs, the actual savings depend on effective cost management. Without proper oversight, organisations risk overspending on cloud services. It is crucial to monitor and optimise resource usage to maximise the cost benefits of cloud computing.

Billing in local currency can function as a hedge against currency fluctuations, reducing the currency exchange rate risk for businesses and consumers. BCX, a proudly South African ICT services company, has taken a proactive approach by billing services offered by its Africa Local Public (ALP) Cloud service in the South African rand.

ALP marks a significant stride in BCX’s mission to deliver innovative technology solutions across the continent. Billing in local currency is a disruptive move, considering that most international hyperscalers operating in South Africa bill the local market in US dollars. This approach provides businesses and individuals with a clear and predictable understanding of costs, essential for budgeting and financial planning.

Reshal Seetahal, BCX Executive Head of Alibaba Cloud Business Unit, emphasises the importance of predictability in costs for customers. Billing in US dollars by other public cloud providers often leads to unexpected costs due to forex fluctuations, hindering the expected cost reductions associated with cloud adoption.

When enterprises are billed in foreign currency, they expose themselves to the risk of unfavourable exchange rate movements. Additionally, businesses may end up consuming more cloud resources than initially planned due to the availability of numerous features and functionalities, leading to increased costs. BCX’s decision for rand-based billing for ALP Cloud aims to provide customers with transparency, ensuring they know exactly how much they will pay at the end of the month.

ALP not only offers local billing but also allows clients to track their cloud usage cost-effectively. Seetahal highlights that ROI analysis is crucial for cloud computing strategy, providing a financial perspective on the benefits of cloud adoption, and informing decision-making, cost management, and resource optimisation.

In the dynamic landscape of cloud computing, the decision to bill in local currency becomes a strategic move, particularly in regions facing economic challenges and currency volatility. BCX’s approach with ALP Cloud demonstrates a commitment to providing customers with transparency, predictability, and the tools needed to manage cloud costs effectively. As South Africa navigates its digital transformation journey, local billing in the cloud proves to be a powerful tool for businesses seeking financial clarity and stability.