Paying for your cloud analysis in Terra

Understand your options to help determine whether to set up your GCP billing account through a Google partner or by yourself is the best approach for you.

Overview

Terra runs on Google Cloud; all storage and analysis costs are ultimately paid through a Google Cloud Billing account linked to a Terra Billing Project. You have the option to set up your Google Cloud billing account through a reseller partner, such as Carahsoft or SADA, or on your own via a self-managed GCP Billing Account.

Determining the best approach

1. Compare costs and benefits

• • Consider the costs, benefits, and potential trade-offs of setting up directly versus using a reseller.
  • Compare service fees, support offerings, and additional services provided by the reseller.

2. Consult with internal stakeholders

• • Engage key stakeholders within your organization, such as finance, IT, and procurement teams, to gather input and ensure alignment with organizational goals and preferences.
  • If your organization has existing relationships with resellers or contractual obligations, review these to understand if setting up through a reseller aligns with your organizational commitments.
  • If you are unsure whether this applies to you, you can talk with your department’s contract person to ask whether your institution has an existing contract already.

3. Evaluate long-term strategy

• • Consider your long-term cloud strategy, including scalability, future growth, and the potential need for additional cloud services or support beyond initial setup.
  • Example: If your team plans to set up a joint account for multiple billing users or you plan to link your billing account to more than five workspaces, it’s best to set up the account through Carahsoft or another reseller.

Leveraging a GCP partner or reseller

1. Local expertise and support

• • Resellers often provide localized support and expertise, which can be valuable if you need assistance navigating regional regulations, languages, or specific requirements.

2. Contractual agreements and terms

• • Some institutions prefer working through resellers due to existing contractual agreements, bundled services, or negotiated pricing that can potentially offer cost savings or additional services.

3. Administrative convenience

• • If managing multiple vendor relationships or streamlining procurement processes is a priority, using a reseller might simplify billing consolidation and vendor management.

4. Value-added services

• • Resellers may offer value-added services such as consolidated billing across multiple cloud services or customized reporting, which can enhance operational efficiency and financial management.

5. Strategic partnerships

• • If your organization has established partnerships or preferred vendor relationships with a reseller like Carahsoft or SADA, leveraging these relationships can provide strategic benefits and support specific business objectives.

6. Support for researchers with NIH funding

• • Carahsoft, a U.S. based partner, supports the NIH STRIDES (Science and Technology Research Infrastructure for Discovery, Experimentation, and Sustainability) Initiative by providing services that let NIH and NIH-funded researchers leverage cloud computing resources effectively.
  • If you are using Terra, are based in the U.S., and qualify for GCP discounts through STRIDES, we recommend working with Carahsoft to set up your billing account.

If you are located outside the U.S. or to explore reseller options

You can search GCP’s partner directory based on location, organization type, product, etc. Ultimately, the decision should align with your organization’s priorities, capabilities, and strategic objectives for leveraging Google Cloud Platform effectively while managing costs and compliance.