Dexter Siglin

Feb. 26,2025 | Artificial Intelligence, AI, AGI

The AI hype is hitting IT leaders, particularly CIOs, like a relentless sales pitch that won’t quit, and it’s driving them up the wall in 2025. IT suppliers are plastering “AI-powered” or “intelligent” on every product from cloud platforms, security tools, even basic infrastructure - promising game-changing efficiency, predictive insights, or automation that’ll slash headcount. But when CIOs get these tools in hand, reality often feels like a bait-and-switch, and that gap between expectation and delivery is where the irritation starts. One big issue is the lack of tangible value. IT suppliers hype AI as a magic bullet - say, an ERP system ...

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(accelerated since Oracle’s 2023 pricing change) gives users leverage, as APs risk losing relevance if they cling to an outdated model.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 ...

Michael Welsh

Feb. 25,2025 | Software, SAP

Good news! As expected, SAP has extended its support for ECC for at least another 6 years. As with all things SAP - buyers are well advised to beware. SAP plans to offer... SAP ERP - Private Edition - Transition Option The new offering, which won’t be available for purchase until 2028, entails moving the hosting of legacy ECC deployments to SAP hosting. Setting aside the complexities associated with changing hosting providers and SAP’s prior failures as a hosting provider for its software for customers, SAP’s option will undoubtedly be a premium cost for an inferior product based upon its customers’ prior experience. What the above ...

Steven Zolman

Oct. 31,2024 | Supplier Management, Market Alerts, Negotiation, Vendor Management, Saving on IT, NET(net), cybersecurity, cyber attack

Cybersecurity Threats and Ransomware Attacks: A Growing Menace Preface The days of relying on personal relationships to secure favorable deal terms are over. IT vendors are aggressively shifting their focus towards capturing a larger share of your value chain and more of your wallet share. Their maneuvers include: Subscription-based pricing models: IT vendors are locking customers into recurring fees with additional consumption costs, making it difficult to predict and control long-term technology costs. Reduced flexibility: Subscription access often comes with limited customization options, and tiered access that requires you to subscribe ...

Steven Zolman

Oct. 22,2024 | Supplier Management, Market Alerts, Negotiation, Vendor Management, Saving on IT, NET(net)

Revolution or Obsolescence: Tech Vendors Are Redefining Industry Preface The days of relying on personal relationships to secure favorable deal terms are over. IT vendors are aggressively shifting their focus towards capturing a larger share of your value chain and more of your wallet share. Their maneuvers include: Subscription-based pricing models: IT vendors are locking customers into recurring fees with additional consumption costs, making it difficult to predict and control long-term technology costs. Reduced flexibility: Subscription access often comes with limited customization options, and tiered access that requires you to subscribe ...

Steven Zolman

Oct. 17,2024 | Supplier Management, Market Alerts, Negotiation, Workday, Vendor Management, Saving on IT, NET(net), sentiment analysis

Workday Sentiment Analysis Preface The days of relying on personal relationships to secure favorable deal terms are over. IT vendors are aggressively shifting their focus towards capturing a larger share of your value chain and more of your wallet share. Their maneuvers include: Subscription-based pricing models: IT vendors are locking customers into recurring fees with additional consumption costs, making it difficult to predict and control long-term technology costs. Reduced flexibility: Subscription access often comes with limited customization options, and tiered access that requires you to subscribe to more expensive levels that offer ...

Steven Zolman

Oct. 3,2024 | Supplier Management, Market Alerts, Negotiation, Vendor Management, Saving on IT, NET(net)

The Insidious Mask of the Technology Channel Preface The days of relying on personal relationships to secure favorable deal terms are over. IT vendors are aggressively shifting their focus towards capturing a larger share of your value chain and more of your wallet share. Their maneuvers include: Subscription-based pricing models: IT vendors are locking customers into recurring fees with additional consumption costs, making it difficult to predict and control long-term technology costs. Reduced flexibility: Subscription access often comes with limited customization options, and tiered access that requires you to subscribe to more expensive ...

Steven Zolman

Oct. 3,2024 | Supplier Management, Negotiation, Saving on IT, NET(net)

Top 5 Ways to Expose Traps and Quash Hidden Costs Executive Summary Investing in technology is crucial for business success. Whether it is to modernize, digitally transform, and/or to improve organizational performance; but hidden costs and vendor manipulations often erode expected value. This blog explores five actionable strategies—detailed spend analysis, price benchmarking, supplier audits, contract reviews, and optimization tools—that can help client organizations expose cost traps, and quash hidden costs, ensuring maximum value from their technology investments. By addressing these challenges, businesses can significantly reduce costs, ...

Steven Zolman

Oct. 3,2024 | Market Alerts, Negotiation, Cloud Negotiation, Vendor Management

SaaS Subscription Squeeze Preface The days of relying on personal relationships to secure favorable deal terms are over. IT vendors are aggressively shifting their focus towards capturing a larger share of your value chain and more of your wallet share. Their maneuvers include: Subscription-based pricing models: IT vendors are locking customers into recurring fees with additional consumption costs, making it difficult to predict and control long-term technology costs. Reduced flexibility: Subscription access often comes with limited customization options, and tiered access that requires you to subscribe to more expensive levels that offer ...

Steven Zolman

Aug. 29,2024 | Supplier Management, Negotiation, Saving on IT, NET(net)

Teradata Surviving on Mysticism and Tyranny Preface The days of relying on personal relationships to secure favorable deal terms are over. IT vendors are aggressively shifting their focus towards capturing a larger share of your value chain and more of your wallet share. Their maneuvers include: Subscription-based pricing models: IT vendors are locking customers into recurring fees with additional consumption costs, making it difficult to predict and control long-term technology costs. Reduced flexibility: Subscription access often comes with limited customization options, and tiered access that requires you to subscribe to more expensive ...