AWS rolls out new tool to simplify regional cloud planning

Planning where to deploy workloads in the cloud can be tricky, especially for large companies that rely on consistent infrastructure across multiple regions. AWS is looking to take the guesswork out of that process with a new tool called Capabilities by Region.

The tool gives users a clear view of which AWS services, tools, and features — including CloudFormation resources — are available in each global region. It also shows what’s coming next. That level of insight could help organisations plan better, avoid costly mistakes, and stay compliant, analysts say.

“Enterprises struggle with regional service parity. They often discover gaps late in deployment, which causes delays and costly rework. This capability with authoritative, forward-looking visibility into service availability will help address such issues,” said Charlie Dai, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester.

A clearer roadmap for AWS users

One of the most useful parts of Capabilities by Region is its forward-looking view. It doesn’t just show what services are available today — it also highlights whether a feature or service is planned for a specific region. That’s something AWS competitors don’t currently offer, according to Pareekh Jain, principal analyst at Pareekh Consulting.

Microsoft Azure, for instance, has a Product Availability by Region page that lists current offerings by geography. But it doesn’t include a timeline for upcoming launches or offer the unified API comparability that AWS provides. Google Cloud’s Region Picker tool, meanwhile, focuses more on helping users choose regions based on cost, latency, or carbon footprint, rather than upcoming feature rollouts.

With Capabilities by Region, AWS seems to be filling that gap by offering a single place to check both current and planned service availability — a move that could help cloud architects plan global deployments with fewer surprises.

Tackling cloud waste

The new tool could also help organisations get a better handle on cloud spending. Jain noted that almost 30% of cloud budgets are often wasted due to underused resources or a lack of visibility. By knowing which regions have certain features — or will soon get them — teams can plan more efficiently and avoid overpaying for redundant services.

Unlike AWS’s other planning tools, such as CloudFormation or Cost Explorer, Capabilities by Region isn’t housed inside the AWS Management Console. Instead, it lives in the Builder Center, a community hub for developers and architects.

That placement, according to analysts, is intentional. “It is safer for non-admins or partners and avoids touching live environments. Keeping it outside the Console lowers barriers to entry as no AWS account is needed,” said Jain.

Opening the door to automation

AWS is also making the data inside Capabilities by Region accessible through the AWS Knowledge MCP Server. That connection means developers can start automating parts of their planning process — or even pull data into generative AI tools that can recommend deployment options based on available services.

While Capabilities by Region might not sound like a flashy launch, it tackles a very real problem for global enterprises: understanding where AWS services are available and how that’s changing over time. For companies running critical workloads around the world, that visibility could make all the difference between a smooth rollout and an expensive rework.

(Photo by Rubaitul Azad)

See also: AWS commits US$13b to Australia data centres

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