Research / Roles
Purchasing
Research / Roles
Purchasing
Purchasing IT services
This collection focuses on articles covering the key considerations when purchasing IT services across different parts of the IT stack.
Agreement optimization
Optimizing T&M Agreements
The following methodology outlines how to optimize the framework for procuring consulting services on a “Time and Materials” basis.
Security
Pricing models for purchasing dedicated operational security services
In this article, we provide an overview of the most common dedicated operational IT security services currently offered in the market – for example, SOC. We review what these services include and take a closer look at how they are typically priced, as well as the factors that influence unit prices.
Software
Negotiating Microsoft Agreements
In this article, we show how you as a customer strengthen your negotiating position and get as strong as possible in a Microsoft negotiation.
Introduction to Software audit
This article explores how software customers can prevent, prepare for, and manage software audits to minimize the risk of substantial additional charges.
Infrastructure
Price Trends In the ITO Market Q2 2026
The market price for composite IT operations agreements increased in Q2 2026. Read more in this article, where we review the quarter’s price data and translate the current development into concrete advice and recommendations for IT operations customers and suppliers, respectively.
Managing Discussions About Price Increases in
IT Operations Agrements
How do factors such as rising hardware and software prices, labour costs, and energy prices affect the cost of IT infrastructure operations? In this article, we answer these questions by examining the mechanisms that drive market prices for IT operations services and guiding customers through a scenario in which a vendor announces a price increase.
Pricing models for purchasing dedicated operational security services
In this article, we provide an overview of the most common dedicated operational IT security services currently offered in the market – for example, SOC. We review what these services include and take a closer look at how they are typically priced, as well as the factors that influence unit prices.
Public cloud IaaS – price comparison
This article reviews the key factors and elements required to accurately compare IaaS pricing across different cloud providers.
Contract Terms
The expensive terms: Capacity flexibility
The requirement for downward capacity flexibility is a key factor that significantly impacts the pricing of the overall ITO service agreement.
The expensive terms: Special security requirements
Certain terms in IT operations service agreements significantly impact the total contract price. In particular, the inclusion of specific security requirements has a decisive effect on the final cost of the agreement.
The expensive terms: Design authority
Design authority is one of the terms that has a decisive impact on the price of operating agreements. In this article, we will review why and what can replace it.
The expensive terms: Special location requirements
Special location requirements are one of the conditions that have a decisive impact on the price of operating agreements.
The expensive terms: Complexity
The complexity of the overall IT landscape is a factor that has a decisive impact on the price of ITO services.
The expensive terms: Short commitment periods
While a short commitment period on an outsourcing agreement may seem attractive, it typically entails additional costs that should be taken into consideration.
The expensive terms: High penalty clauses in outsourcing contracts
High penalty clauses in contracts lead to higher prices and are rarely the best way to ensure high operational quality.