How to Say Yes to Bigger Builds Without Hiring an Infra Team

Scaling your infrastructure for larger projects or rapid growth doesn't have to mean hiring a full-time infrastructure team. The article outlines practical strategies for UK businesses, such as using managed cloud services, automating with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and leveraging on-demand cloud engineering. These approaches allow you to handle increased demand while controlling costs and maintaining performance.

Key takeaways include:

• Managed cloud services handle routine tasks like scaling, maintenance, and security updates. Examples: AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Run.
• IaC tools like Terraform automate infrastructure setup, making it consistent and easy to manage.
• Cost-saving methods such as autoscaling, spot instances, and right-sizing resources can reduce expenses by up to 60%.
• On-demand support provides expert help when needed, avoiding the cost of full-time hires.

These methods help UK SMBs and SaaS startups grow without the financial burden of building an in-house infra team.

Cloud Infrastructure on Easy Mode with Jake Cooper from Railway.App [DevOps Deployed Ep 07]

Using Managed Cloud Services

If you're managing larger projects without a dedicated infrastructure team, managed cloud services can be a game-changer. They take care of routine tasks like server maintenance, security updates, and scaling, freeing you up to focus on delivering value to your clients.

These services bring expert infrastructure management to the table, eliminating the need for in-house specialists. Major players like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform offer solutions that handle scaling and maintenance seamlessly, saving you time and resources.

For example, instead of hiring DevOps engineers to manage Kubernetes clusters, you can rely on managed container services that handle orchestration for you. Similarly, managed database services take care of backups, updates, and performance tuning. And for UK-based businesses, these services can help meet local regulatory and operational requirements.

Key Managed Services to Consider

• Serverless computing: Platforms like AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Run scale your code automatically and charge based on execution. This is perfect for event-driven workloads, such as processing user uploads, sending notifications, or handling API traffic spikes. It's a practical way for SaaS startups to manage sudden growth without worrying about capacity planning.
• Managed databases: Services like Amazon RDS, Azure Database, and Google Cloud SQL handle automated backups, security patches, and performance monitoring. For businesses in the UK, these often include built-in encryption and compliance features, making them ideal for handling customer data securely.
• Container orchestration: Managed Kubernetes services - such as Amazon EKS, Azure Kubernetes Service, and Google Kubernetes Engine - simplify container management, so you can focus on deploying and running your applications instead of dealing with the intricacies of orchestration.
• Content delivery and edge services: Managed CDN services like CloudFront, Azure CDN, and Cloud CDN improve global content delivery by bringing it closer to your users. This results in faster load times and better performance with minimal setup.

While managed services can come with a higher per-unit cost compared to raw compute resources, they often deliver overall savings by reducing the need for specialised staff and extra monitoring tools.

UK Business Considerations

For UK businesses, managed cloud services offer more than just technical benefits - they align with local operational needs and regulations. With data sovereignty becoming a growing concern post-Brexit, major providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud have UK-specific regions (e.g., London and Cardiff) to help meet compliance requirements while improving performance for local users.

Many managed services also simplify GDPR compliance by offering integrated privacy controls. Features like encryption, access logging, and pre-configured data retention policies align with UK data protection standards, though it's crucial to ensure proper configuration.

Budgeting is another area where managed services shine. Providers that offer billing in GBP help businesses avoid currency fluctuation issues, making cost planning much more predictable.

Local support is another advantage. Having access to UK-based support teams during standard business hours is invaluable for resolving urgent scaling or troubleshooting issues quickly.

Lastly, the UK regulatory environment often favours managed services. Providers usually hold compliance certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC 2, which reduce the compliance burden on your business. This allows you to focus on growth rather than building complex internal compliance processes.

Using Infrastructure as Code for Automation

When you're scaling without a dedicated infrastructure team, automating your cloud setup becomes a no-brainer. That's where Infrastructure as Code (IaC) steps in, transforming how small teams manage their infrastructure. By defining and deploying your entire setup as code, IaC ensures everything is consistent and reduces the risk of manual mistakes.

For larger builds, IaC shines even brighter. It makes changes to your infrastructure predictable and easy to replicate. You can spin up identical environments, roll back changes when needed, and maintain standardised configurations across the board. The declarative nature of IaC takes out the guesswork - you simply define the desired state of your infrastructure, and the tools figure out how to make it happen.

If you're a UK-based business, there's an added bonus: IaC can simplify compliance and auditing. By defining your infrastructure in code, you automatically create a clear record of changes, making it easier to meet regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Let’s dive into how you can get started with IaC.

Getting Started with IaC

A great way to ease into IaC is by using Terraform, a tool that uses a configuration language called HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language). HCL is designed specifically for describing infrastructure, so even teams with limited coding experience can pick it up quickly.

Start small to build confidence. For example, you could automate a low-risk resource like a development database or a basic web server - this way, you avoid any risks to production systems.

Your first Terraform project might look something like this:

1. Create a new project directory.
2. Add a file (commonly named main.tf) to define your desired resources.
3. Run terraform init to prepare your working directory.
4. Use terraform plan to preview the changes.
5. Apply those changes with terraform apply to create the resources.

Begin with straightforward tasks like provisioning virtual machines, databases, or storage buckets. As you become more comfortable, you can tackle more advanced scenarios, such as auto-scaling groups or load balancers. Many teams find it helpful to dedicate a few hours each week to converting manual processes into IaC, gradually building a more automated setup.

Don't forget version control - it’s critical from day one. By storing your IaC files in a version control system, you can track every change and link infrastructure updates directly to application releases.

Comparing IaC Tools

Choosing the right tool for IaC depends on your team's expertise and the specifics of your project. Here's a quick comparison of popular options to help you decide:

Terraform is often the go-to tool for teams new to IaC. Since its launch in 2014 by HashiCorp, it has built a strong reputation with extensive support for nearly every cloud provider. Its HCL syntax is approachable for anyone familiar with configuration files, and its documentation is thorough, making troubleshooting easier.

Pulumi, on the other hand, offers a more developer-friendly approach by letting you write infrastructure code in familiar languages like Python, TypeScript, or Go. This is particularly appealing for teams who prefer to avoid learning a domain-specific language.

Managed Kubernetes operates at a slightly different level. Instead of provisioning the underlying infrastructure, it focuses on orchestrating containerised applications. Typically, you’d use Terraform or Pulumi to set up your Kubernetes cluster, then rely on Kubernetes to manage your applications within that setup.

For multi-cloud projects, Terraform's ecosystem is hard to beat. If your team is developer-heavy, Pulumi might be the better fit. Up next, we’ll explore ways to scale your cloud infrastructure efficiently while keeping costs under control.

Cost-Efficient Scaling Methods

Cost-efficient scaling methods take cloud spending optimisation a step further. With the right strategies, it's possible to scale your infrastructure effectively without needing a large dedicated infrastructure team. By combining automation, smart resource management, and cloud-native tools, businesses can handle larger workloads while keeping costs under control.

For UK businesses, cloud providers offer several cost-saving features that can reduce infrastructure expenses by as much as 30–60%, all while maintaining performance.

Autoscaling and Spot Instances

Autoscaling is a powerful way to ensure you're only paying for the resources you actually need. It automatically adjusts your infrastructure based on demand, so you avoid spending money on idle resources during quieter periods. Tools like AWS Auto Scaling Groups, Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets, and Google Cloud's Managed Instance Groups all provide similar functionality, albeit with some differences in implementation.

Pairing autoscaling with spot instances can lead to even greater savings. Spot instances (called Preemptible VMs on Google Cloud) are spare compute resources offered at steep discounts - typically 60-90% cheaper than standard on-demand pricing. However, the trade-off is that these instances can be reclaimed by the provider with little notice (usually 30 seconds to 2 minutes).

Applications such as batch jobs or stateless web services are well-suited for spot instances, as they can handle interruptions without issue. The trick lies in designing your application to recover quickly from interruptions - store critical data elsewhere and ensure processes can restart without hassle.

For UK businesses, AWS Spot Instances are particularly useful for overnight processing jobs. Demand for compute resources tends to drop during the UK's evening hours, leading to better availability and lower prices. To manage costs effectively, you can set maximum bid prices and use tools like Spot Fleet to automatically switch between instance types as prices fluctuate.

A practical approach is to run your core workload on standard instances while using spot instances for peak traffic or non-critical tasks. This hybrid model lets you save money without sacrificing reliability for essential operations.

Right-Sizing Resources

While autoscaling and spot instances adjust resources dynamically, right-sizing ensures your infrastructure is matched to actual usage. Many teams over-provision resources initially and then fail to reassess their needs as their applications evolve.

Monitoring tools can provide insights into CPU usage, memory consumption, network activity, and storage performance. These often reveal underutilised resources that can be scaled down. For instance, instances running below 20% CPU usage for extended periods are good candidates for downsizing. Similarly, if you're consistently using only 40% of available RAM, you're likely overpaying for capacity you don't need.

Reserved instances are another way to cut costs for predictable workloads. By committing to specific instance types for one or three years, you can save 30-75% compared to on-demand pricing. This approach works well for infrastructure that runs continuously, like database servers or monitoring systems. Timing your reserved instance purchases strategically - such as during cloud providers' financial year-end periods - can yield additional discounts. For UK businesses, currency fluctuations can also impact the cost of multi-year commitments.

Storage optimisation is another area worth exploring. High-performance SSD storage is often used by default, even for tasks like backups or logs where standard storage would be sufficient. Moving less critical data to cheaper storage tiers can significantly reduce costs without affecting performance.

Cost Comparison of Scaling Methods

Different scaling methods have varying levels of cost savings, complexity, and suitability for specific scenarios. Here's a breakdown:

The best results often come from combining these methods. For example, you might use reserved instances for baseline infrastructure, autoscaling for traffic spikes, spot instances for background tasks, and storage tiering for non-critical data.

A hybrid approach could look like this: run your production database on a reserved instance for predictable costs, use autoscaling groups with a mix of on-demand and spot instances for web servers, and store backups on cheaper storage tiers.

Scaling efficiently isn’t a one-time task. Set up billing alerts, review your usage monthly, and adjust your strategy as your application grows and usage patterns shift. Many teams find that dedicating just a few hours each month to cost reviews can lead to significant savings on cloud bills. These strategies work hand in hand with automation to support growth while keeping budgets under control.

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On-Demand Cloud Engineering and Support

Sometimes, even with advanced managed services and automation in place, you need the expertise of skilled cloud engineers - without the expense of hiring someone full-time. For UK SMBs and scaling businesses, on-demand cloud engineering provides just that: expert help when it's needed most. While managed services and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) simplify operations, on-demand expertise steps in to address specific challenges and fill operational gaps.

Cloud challenges don’t keep office hours. Imagine a database issue at 2 AM on a Sunday or a sudden surge in traffic during a product launch - these problems can’t wait. Hiring full-time staff to cover every possibility can be costly and inefficient. On-demand support offers a smarter alternative. It gives you access to seasoned cloud engineers who know your infrastructure and can respond promptly when something goes wrong. This approach is especially effective for teams focused on product development but needing dependable backup for operational hiccups.

Benefits of On-Demand Support

• 24/7 Incident Response: Problems are resolved quickly by professionals familiar with your system and cloud best practices. Minimising downtime is critical to protecting revenue and maintaining customer trust, and round-the-clock expert support provides that assurance.
• Cost Optimisation: Experienced engineers can identify inefficiencies - like over-provisioned resources, unused reservations, or costly data transfers - that might slip past your internal team. These insights often lead to savings that outweigh the cost of the service.
• Compliance Readiness: For UK businesses navigating standards like ISO 27001, on-demand engineers can implement security measures, set up logging systems, and ensure your infrastructure meets regulatory requirements - all without needing a dedicated compliance team.
• Knowledge Sharing: On-demand engineers don’t just solve problems - they also help your team learn best practices, reducing reliance on external support over time and building confidence to tackle larger projects.

This model complements earlier strategies, offering a cost-effective way to scale operations without the burden of fixed overheads.

Critical Cloud as a Trusted Partner

Critical Cloud takes these benefits a step further with tailored support options designed to simplify scaling for UK businesses. Acting as a flexible, reliable partner, their on-demand engineering services help your team stay focused on delivering your product.

Their Monitor plan costs £400 per month and includes shared Datadog dashboards, basic uptime monitoring, and 8×5 support via Slack and email. This plan is ideal for smaller teams needing reassurance that their infrastructure is being monitored during business hours.

For more hands-on support, the Engineer Assist plan, also priced at £400 per month, provides up to four hours of proactive engineering help each month. This includes services like alert tuning, error triage, and identifying potential cost-saving opportunities before they become major issues.

Critical Cloud’s approach is refreshingly flexible. Instead of locking you into rigid packages, they offer stackable add-ons so you can customise your support. For instance:

• Critical Cover (£800 per month): Extends support to 24/7 incident response.
• FinOps (£400 per month): Focuses on cost optimisation and detecting anomalies.
• Compliance Pack (£600 per month): Combines security hardening with compliance logging and audit support.
• Sales Assist (£400 per month per pitch): Provides infrastructure insights for sales proposals and RFPs.

This flexibility means you’re not tied to long-term contracts or specific tools. Critical Cloud seamlessly integrates with your existing setup - whether you’re using AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud - allowing you to maintain control over your stack and billing while benefiting from expert operational support.

Their engineers can also review your Terraform configurations, suggesting improvements to enhance efficiency. For cost management, they assist with strategies like autoscaling and spot instances, helping you fine-tune your approach and uncover additional savings. By combining managed services, automation, cost-efficient scaling, and on-demand engineering, you gain a complete solution for handling larger projects - without the need to build an internal infrastructure team.

Growing Confidently Without Overheads

By applying the strategies mentioned earlier, UK-based SMBs and SaaS startups can expand their infrastructure without the hefty price tag of a full in-house team. This approach allows businesses to handle larger projects while retaining the agility and streamlined operations that set them apart from competitors.

Traditionally, scaling up meant significant upfront investments in staff and expertise. But with this method, you can adjust your support needs as they arise - ramping up during major product launches or large-scale builds and scaling back during quieter times. This flexibility ensures you’re not tied to rigid contracts or locked into specific vendors, giving you more control over your resources.

With this setup, you’re equipped to take on ambitious projects, confident that your infrastructure can handle increased demand. Your development team can stay focused on creating features that generate revenue, rather than getting bogged down by operational hiccups. Meanwhile, proactive monitoring and optimisation help manage costs effectively, ensuring your business remains efficient and competitive.

This isn’t about cutting corners - it’s about working smarter. By tapping into modern cloud technologies and expert support, you can achieve enterprise-level performance and reliability without the weight of fixed overheads. The result? An infrastructure that grows with your ambitions, keeping your business lean, agile, and laser-focused on delivering value to your customers.

FAQs

How can UK businesses stay compliant with local regulations when using managed cloud services?

UK businesses can ensure compliance by partnering with cloud providers that adhere to UK-specific regulations like the GDPR and the standards outlined in the G-Cloud framework. Following recommendations from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on secure cloud practices is equally important. Regular audits are essential to confirm that legal requirements are being met.

It's also wise to thoroughly review contracts to ensure that providers are committed to maintaining strong data protection and security measures. Staying informed on regulatory updates and performing due diligence are key steps to managing compliance effectively.

What are the main advantages of using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for small teams without dedicated infrastructure specialists?

Why Use Infrastructure as Code (IaC)?

For smaller teams, especially those without a dedicated infrastructure expert, Infrastructure as Code (IaC) can be a game-changer. By automating the setup and management of cloud infrastructure, IaC drastically cuts down on manual work and operational headaches. This means your team can spend more time on what really matters - developing and scaling your applications.

Another big win with IaC is consistency and reliability. Since configurations are stored as version-controlled code, you avoid issues like configuration drift and reduce the chances of errors. Plus, it becomes much simpler to replicate environments - a huge advantage for SMBs and scaleups working with cloud-native applications. Using IaC lets teams grow without losing control or needing to hire a full-time infrastructure team, offering a perfect balance of efficiency and flexibility.

How can businesses integrate on-demand cloud engineering support without increasing costs or complexity?

To make the most of on-demand cloud engineering support, businesses can turn to managed cloud services and powerful automation tools like Terraform and Kubernetes. These tools simplify the process of allocating resources, cut down on repetitive manual tasks, and free up teams to concentrate on developing their core products rather than spending time on infrastructure management.

By embracing scalable cloud architectures paired with pay-as-you-go pricing models, businesses can keep costs predictable while avoiding the expense of maintaining a full-time infrastructure team. This strategy is especially beneficial for SMBs and startups, enabling them to manage modern cloud-native applications efficiently while keeping operational costs in check.

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