FOCUS 1.2 in Microsoft Cost Management: Unified Multi-Cloud, Multi-Currency Reporting

A New Milestone for FinOps Teams Worldwide

In the ever-evolving landscape of cloud management, keeping costs under control while effectively managing resources across multiple platforms is a daunting task that organizations around the globe face. The recent advent of the FOCUS 1.2 standard by the FinOps Foundation marks a revolutionary stride forward in this domain. Released on June 3, 2025, this standard introduces pivotal enhancements aimed at enabling FinOps teams to deftly analyze, manage, and optimize cloud expenditures.

A significant leap for Microsoft Cost Management, this update, which is available in preview, includes the capability to export cost data utilizing the FOCUS 1.2 schema. The essence of this update lies in its potential to significantly streamline the FinOps journey for organizations through richer, more standardized data sets.

Breaking Down Silos: A Unified Approach

One of the standout features of FOCUS 1.2 is its unified, auditable, and highly detailed dataset. This new architecture breaks down the silos typically associated with cloud, SaaS, and PaaS cost management. By consolidating billing data into a cohesive schema, organizations are empowered to streamline operations and deploy a single dashboard or query to encompass their entire technology expenditure. This elimination of redundant workflows represents a quantum leap in operational efficiency.

As a note, while the dataset is currently in preview as certain fields essential for complete FOCUS 1.2 conformance remain unpopulated, these components will be enabled as supporting capabilities mature in future updates.

What’s New in the FOCUS 1.2-Preview Dataset?

The FOCUS 1.2-preview dataset brings a host of enhancements, meticulously designed to make cost management not only powerful but intuitive. Among the changes are several renamings of extension columns that bolster the FOCUS 1.2 alignment:

• x_InvoiceId becomes InvoiceId.
• x_PricingCurrency updates to PricingCurrency.
• x_SkuMeterName converts to SkuMeter.

Additionally, new columns make their debut in this release:

• ServiceSubcategory provides a provider-agnostic breakdown of ServiceCategory.
• x_ServiceModel denotes the cloud service model (IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS) relevant to the billed service.
• x_SkuPlanName reflects the marketplace plan name—a crucial element overlooked in prior dataset versions.
• x_AmortizationClass identifies whether a charge is principal or amortized, a key distinction for accurate cost summation.

Moreover, there are several new columns initially empty but poised for future population, ensuring the evolution of the FOCUS standard:

• CapacityReservationId
• CapacityReservationStatus
• CommitmentDiscountQuantity
• CommitmentDiscountUnit
• SkuPriceDetails

Enhanced Consistency Across All FOCUS Dataset Versions

The update further extends improvements across all FOCUS dataset versions. In keeping with FOCUS requirements and providing a comprehensive dataset, placeholder values have been expunged from various fields to meet stringent conformance standards.

The Road Ahead

As organizations become increasingly digital, effectively managing cloud costs across disparate platforms remains a strategic priority. With the support for the FOCUS 1.2 standard, Microsoft is demonstrating its commitment to empowering businesses to optimize their financial operations with a precision-oriented approach that unifies reporting and aligns multi-cloud and multi-currency financial data.

To delve deeper into the FOCUS 1.2 schema’s capabilities, interested parties are encouraged to consult the detailed FOCUS cost and usage details file schema. By initiating a new export and selecting the FOCUS 1.2-preview dataset version, teams can take the first step towards unlocking unprecedented value and efficiency within their FinOps practices.

Stay tuned as this exciting journey unfolds and organizations harness the full potential of unified multi-cloud, multi-currency reporting through FOCUS 1.2.