15 Cost control is one of the customer a dvantages built into consumption. Customers can flex demand as required by their business needs and can do so without paying for an oversized solution to meet occasional peak demand periods. Customers that work with cloud and data providers already have experience with the consumption- based model; however, it may be their first time working with a SaaS solution provider that leverages this pricing strategy. Transparency and pre-planned strategies to address overages will help both customers and providers avoid unpleasant experiences. DELIVER TRANSPARENCY AROUND COST AND CONSUMPTION Predictability, visibility, and cost transparency must be the tenets of your consumption model. Customers want to understand how they are using the solution and how credits or dollars are spent relative to their contract. Ideally, customers can view usage in the product, but receiving monthly usage statements may be a more feasible place to start. If possible, couple reporting with some level of monitoring and alerting to enable customers to manage costs in real time. Customers want to know if they are consuming at a faster rate than expected and if they are close to exceeding their plan. MANAGE OVERAGES WITH CREATIVITY When customers exceed plans, you should have a thoughtful strategy in place around how to handle overages. Remember: customers exceed their plans because they have found a lot of value in your solution. This behavior should be encouraged and supported, while also helping your customer better scope and realistically plan their usage. HELP CUSTOMERS PREDICT AND OPTIMIZE SPEND CHAMPION GUIDES