Fred Teekens

Feb. 26,2026 | Financial Services, SAP

Let’s be blunt: the financial services sector’s relationship with SAP has become…complicated. For decades, it’s been the default, the assumed, the “we’ve always done it this way” solution. But clinging to legacy SAP systems isn’t a strategy; it’s a slow bleed of resources and agility. Enter SAP Finance Cloud (SFC). It should be the obvious next step, but a surprising number of firms are dragging their feet. Let’s cut through the marketing fluff and get real about what SFC offers, why the hesitation is justified, and – crucially – what alternatives exist when you realize SAP isn’t your only path forward. SFC: The Promise (and the Reality) in ...

Fred Teekens

Jan. 29,2026 | Cloud, MSSP, Quantum Computing

Let's get to the point.... If your organization is still operating under the delusion that "quantum computing is a future problem," you're not just behind the curve; you're driving straight into a digital black hole. As a strategic advisor at NET(net), I see the fear, the confusion, and the and borderline negligence in meeting rooms worldwide. Your managed IT security? It could be managed right into the ground unless your teams are prepared now. "Q-Day" (the moment a fault-tolerant quantum computer can crack RSA-2048) is a question of "when," not "if", currently projected for the 2030's And frankly, you're missing the more insidious threat ...

Fred Teekens

Sep. 29,2025 | Vendor Management, AI

Look, I've seen enough gold rushes in tech to know that AI is the latest nugget luring enterprises into a frenzy. But here's the contrarian truth: without a sheriff in town- meaning smart oversight and negotiation muscle, your AI investments could turn into a ghost town of wasted budgets, security holes, and disappointed stakeholders. This post cuts through the hype, spotlighting how unchecked AI spending is leaving companies high and dry, with operational risks piling up faster than bad debts. We'll arm you with battle-tested strategies to control those costs, minimize risks, and squeeze real value out of your AI plays. Drawing from market ...

Fred Teekens

Jul. 31,2025 | Managed Services, Infrastructure

In today's fast-evolving technological landscape, the Infrastructure Managed Services (IMS) industry stands at the forefront, acting as the backbone for global businesses that span diverse regulated markets including finance, healthcare, and telecommunications. With digital transformation becoming a centerpiece of organizational strategy, the integration of advanced technologies is more influential than ever. This blog delves into the profound impact of disruptive technologies reshaping the IMS sector and offers insights into how businesses can leverage these innovations to stay competitive and compliant. Disruptive Technology At the heart ...

Fred Teekens

Mar. 27,2025 | news, Security, Supplier Management, SSM - Strategic Supplier Management, sentiment analysis

European companies may face a dual challenge as the U.S. seemingly shifts its strategic focus, which may necessitate measures to assess risk and potentially reduce reliance on American based technology firms. The new US administration has signaled an increasing prioritization of its own domestic manufacturing, which has increased the specter of raising tariffs on EU goods like automobiles and machinery to shrink its $200 billion goods deficit - while simultaneously redirecting resources to counter China’s economic and political challenges across the globe. This pivot may leave EU firms exposed, as the US has signaled it can’t indefinitely ...

Fred Teekens

Feb. 25,2025 | Software, Oracle, Java

APs (application providers) rely on customer retention and satisfaction. Persistent, coordinated pressure from end-users - especially when tied to cost, compliance risks, and competitive positioning - can force them to adapt. The Java ecosystem’s shift toward open-source runtimes (accelerated since Oracle’s 2023 pricing change) gives users leverage, as APs risk losing relevance if they cling to an outdated model. Now is the time to leverage Aps to accelerate the breaking of Java’s monopoly. Navigating the Java Licensing Landscape: A Shift Towards Cost-Effective Solutions In the dynamic landscape of enterprise technology, navigating the ...

Fred Teekens

Jan. 30,2024 | Software, Financial Services, SAP, Oracle, Digital Transformation, Coupa, Basware, Jaggaer, Ivalua

Preface Nearly all clients are seeking greater prosperity in 2024. While client organizations are still focused on cost reductions to meet the challenges of their new economic and market realities, the pent-up demands of the business are increasingly calling for innovation, automation, and organizational performance improvement. We foresee a volatile and unpredictable business landscape predicated on geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and continued supply chain disruptions as client organizations continue to diversify their technology supply chains, but digital transformation continues to be an investment area. Digital ...

Fred Teekens

Jul. 31,2023 | Oracle

Oracle in hunt for new money With Oracle Cerner integration going slowly, and as expected most valuable and highly skilled resources are leaving the organisation, the Cerner acquisition has not delivered (yet) the value Oracle has been expecting so far. See our post from 2021 on this topic here. So, what can you do and what do you need to know? Increase the annual YoY price increase on core products to a minimum of 8%. In an economic tide, where clients are creaming for cost optimizations Oracle, has increased their starting position for support renewals to an 8% YoY increase. Only when a client would be committing to new business of the ...

Fred Teekens

Apr. 26,2023 | Software, Oracle, Java

A significant change to Oracle's Java licensing policy was announced January 23rd 2023. The Java licensing changes are clearly designed to increase revenue for the company rather than provide for a greater or enhanced product. While most well-run businesses seek to increase revenue, with Oracle we must view with a critical eye however, as these types of initiatives typically don’t do much for the customer in the way of added value. In addition to the revenue bump these changes will impact for Oracle, they are clearly also designed to eliminate competition (also not in the customer’s favor). It is important to note that these changes do not ...

Fred Teekens

Jan. 26,2023 | Veeva, Healthcare

Like many of the market leading SaaS companies, Veeva’s fiscal year-end is January 31st. Why is this important? Most technology suppliers before their fiscal year end will have an extreme ‘push’ by sales management to extract every last dollar of potential revenue before they have to report out their annual earnings. As any sales representative will tell you, everyone wants to close strong at the end of the year. Veeva is no different. To that end, however, there can be opportunities for savvy buyers who are willing to research and invest time in understanding their supplier and their place in the market - even with only days to go. It’s ...