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How to Set Up Microsoft Azure Focus Export with nOps Platform

Prerequisites​

  • nOps Platform Access: Organization Settings permissions in your nOps account

  • Azure Portal Access with billing scope permissions:

    • EA: Enterprise Administrator or Billing Account Contributor
    • MCA: Billing Account/Profile Owner or Contributor

  • Supported Account Types:

    • ✅ Enterprise Agreement (EA)
    • ✅ Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA)
    • ❌ MOSP / Pay-as-you-go (must upgrade to EA or MCA)
    • ❌ CSP (Cloud Solution Provider) — not supported

  • Global Admin Access (Optional): Required if billing scopes aren't visible

Understanding Billing Scopes​

Important

You must create a FOCUS export and configure a nOps integration for each billing account in your organization. A single billing account export covers all subscriptions under it, but if you have multiple billing accounts, each one requires its own setup.

Billing Scope Hierarchy​

Enterprise Agreement (EA):

Billing Account (EA Enrollment)  ← Create export here
  └── Department (optional)
      └── Enrollment Account
          └── Subscription

Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA):

Billing Account                  ← Create export here (recommended)
  └── Billing Profile            ← Or here (for separate business units)
      └── Invoice Section
          └── Subscription

Setup Steps​

Step 1: Select Your Billing Scope (Azure)​

  1. Log in to Azure Portal and search for Cost Management + Billing
  2. Click Billing scopes in the left sidebar
  3. Select your Billing Account:
    • EA: Look for "Billing Account - [Enrollment Number]"
    • MCA: Look for "Billing Account" with type "Microsoft Customer Agreement"

Select billing scope in Azure

Can't see billing scopes?

Enable "As a Global administrator" toggle, or contact your EA/MCA administrator for appropriate permissions.

Multiple billing accounts?

If you see multiple billing accounts listed, you'll need to complete Steps 1-4 for each one.

Step 2: Create the FOCUS Export (Azure)​

  1. Go to Settings → Exports
  2. Click + Create

Basics tab:

  • Select Cost and usage (FOCUS)

Datasets tab:

  • Export prefix: Enter a name (e.g., nops)

Destination tab:

  • Storage type: Azure blob storage
  • Destination and storage: Create new
  • Subscription: Select the subscription where the storage account will be created
  • Resource group: Select an existing one or create new (e.g., nops-billing-exports or cost-management-rg)
  • Account name: Enter a unique storage account name
  • Location: Select a region close to your resources
  • Container: nops
  • Directory: billing
  • Format: Parquet
  • Compression type: Snappy
  1. Click Review + create

Create FOCUS export in Azure

note

If "Cost and usage (FOCUS)" isn't available in the Basics tab, verify you're at billing account scope and have a supported account type.

Step 3: Configure Storage Account (Azure)​

  1. Click on your recently created export, then click the Storage account link

  2. Allow nOps IP (only if your organization restricts public storage access):

Expand if your storage account doesn't allow public access
  • Go to Security + networking → Networking
  • Click Manage below "Public network access"
  • Under IPv4 Addresses, add: 52.11.169.55
  • Click Save
  1. Copy credentials:
    • Go to Security + networking → Access keys
    • Copy Storage Account Name (displayed at top)
    • Copy Key under Key1 (click "Show keys" if hidden)
important

Copy the Key, not the Connection String.

Step 4: Configure Integration (nOps)​

  1. Go to Azure Integrations in nOps
  2. Click + Azure FOCUS Export
  3. Enter:
    • Configuration Name: Descriptive name for this integration
    • Storage Account Name: From Step 3
    • Storage Account Key: From Step 3
  4. Click Setup Account

Configure Azure integration in nOps

FAQs​

Expand FAQs

Why can't I see the FOCUS export option?​

Three possible causes:

  1. Wrong scope: Switch to Billing Account scope (not subscription)
  2. Unsupported account: MOSP accounts don't support FOCUS—upgrade to EA or MCA
  3. Missing permissions: Request Billing Account Contributor or Enterprise Administrator access

Can I change container name or directory path after setup?​

No. You'll need to delete both the Azure export and nOps integration, then recreate with new settings.

What cost types are included?​

Everything under your billing scope: all subscriptions, reservations, and marketplace purchases.

How often does nOps sync data?​

Every 24 hours. Sync issues appear in the integration status indicator.

What if I enter incorrect storage details?​

The export will fail. Edit the configuration in Azure or recreate the export with correct details.

Additional Resources​