Starting an observability journey is exciting—those first traces and metrics unlock valuable insights. But scaling to production often brings cost challenges, especially with distributed tracing, where strategic sampling is key to balancing visibility and expense.

In this session, we’ll share techniques how to pimp your traces using the OpenTelemetry Collector:

- Tail-Based Sampling & Filters: Capture critical errors and behaviors without unnecessary data.
- Spanmetrics Connector: Gain precise response time metrics for sharper analysis.
- Structured Event Conversion: Transform span events into actionable analytics for targeted troubleshooting.
We’ll also explore the resource and cost implications of various sampling configurations, ensuring efficiency without overspending. By the end, you’ll have practical strategies to enhance your traces and maximize the value of your observability setup.