Comparing Cloud, Software, and Network Deals Without Getting Lost in the Math
Staying Connected
Cloud, software and networking deals all sit under the enterprise technology umbrella, but they do not behave the same way. Enterprise customers need a benchmarking approach that compares lifecycle value, flexibility, operating reality and commercial risk without forcing dissimilar deals into a misleading math exercise. In this 9-minute episode of Staying Connected, is joined by TC2’s to discuss how customers can benchmark complex cloud, software and network proposals in a way that supports better decision making, stronger negotiation positions and clear internal alignment. If you would...
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HPE + Juniper: What Network Consolidation Means for Enterprise Leverage
Staying Connected
The HPE-Juniper combination may create stronger technology options, but it also changes the competitive map for enterprise networking. Customers that once viewed HPE, Aruba and Juniper as distinct sourcing alternatives need to reassess how consolidation affects channel strategy, roadmap decisions, pricing leverage, and future flexibility. A broader supplier relationship can simplify operations, but it can also create dependency if the commercial structure makes it harder to compete, reduce or unwind parts of the technology estate. In this 10-minute episode of Staying Connected, is...
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Finding Run-Rate Waste Without Disrupting the Business
Staying Connected
Run-rate waste often hides in the gaps between contracts, invoices, service inventories and operational ownership. In dynamic network environments, old services may keep billing after new circuits are installed, closed sites may retain active charges, and valid overlapping transition costs can quietly become permanent waste. Enterprise customers need a disciplined way to recover value without creating operational chaos. In this 8-minute episode of Staying Connected, is joined by TC2’s to discuss how enterprise customers can identify stranded services, validate pricing,...
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AI Pricing Is Changing the Software Deal. Are Enterprises Ready?
Staying Connected
AI is changing the commercial model inside enterprise software agreements. Seats and users are giving way to credits, tokens, agent actions and outcome-based pricing. The issue is not only what the AI capability costs but also understanding the pricing construct to know where financial exposure stops if adoption is slower—or much faster—than expected. In this 10-minute episode of Staying Connected, is joined by TC2’s to discuss how AI pricing is changing software negotiations and why customers need to evaluate commitments, usage models, pricing constructs and how to model...
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CCaaS and UCaaS Sourcing: How to Compare Offers, Not Stories
Staying Connected
Sourcing CCaaS and UCaaS can appear straightforward, that is until the proposals arrive. If customers don’t force comparability early, the decision can turn into a contest of narratives instead of a rigorous evaluation of cost, scope, accountability and operating risk. In this 11-minute episode of Staying Connected, is joined by TC2’s to discuss how customers can structure CCaaS and UCaaS sourcing so suppliers actually show their work. Tony and Julie explore why licensing, migration, voice, AI features, usage-based costs, responsibility matrices and contract terms need to be clear before...
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From Invoice Fire Drill to a Baseline You Can Trust
Staying Connected
A polished report, monthly invoice or TEM dashboard doesn’t necessarily give customers a baseline they can trust. In complex technology environments, contracts, invoices, inventories and ownership records often drift apart as services change, sites move and suppliers bill differently. When the baseline is wrong, strategy, sourcing decisions, savings targets, and budgets are built on shaky ground. In this episode of Staying Connected, is joined by TC2’s to discuss how enterprise customers can move from invoice fire drills to a defensible and actionable baseline by connecting contracts,...
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How to Turn a Network Rate Review into Real Leverage
Staying Connected
A rate review is more than a routine supplier meeting. Done poorly, it can produce a modest price reduction while giving the supplier more term, more commitment and better control over the next negotiation. Customers need to understand the baseline, market position, service mix and strategic roadmap before trading flexibility for short-term savings. In this 10-minute episode of Staying Connected, is joined by TC2’s to discuss how customers can turn rate reviews into real leverage events. Tony and Larry explore how benchmarking, service segmentation, contract guardrails and negotiation...
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How to Make a Global Network Roadmap Executable
Staying Connected
A network transformation roadmap can look robust on a slide, but if enterprise customers go to market before all the details. steps and sequencing are clear, the sourcing process can quickly expose gaps in the baseline, stakeholder alignment, contract timing and migration readiness. In this 8-minute episode of Staying Connected, is joined by TC2’s to discuss how enterprise customers can ensure a network transformation roadmap is truly executable before launching an RFP. Tony and Brent explore why the baseline, sourcing structure, contract planning and migration timing all need to align...
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IT Strategy That Survives the Renewal Calendar
Staying Connected
A renewal date is not a strategy, it’s a deadline. But in many enterprise technology environments, contract expirations, supplier proposals and budget cycles start driving decisions that should be tied to a larger strategic roadmap. When that happens, customers lose leverage, accept unfavorable contract extensions or lock in terms that limit flexibility before they have time to build better options. In this 11-minute episode of Staying Connected, is joined by TC2’s to discuss how customers can connect renewal calendars to technology strategy, sourcing plans, contract mechanics and...
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"Who Did I Just Buy This From?” — Negotiating SaaS Deals Through Cloud Marketplaces and Resellers
Staying Connected
Enterprise SaaS deals are moving to cloud marketplaces — and resellers are often in the driver’s seat. But what looks like a fast, seamless purchase can quickly turn into a legal maze, with three sets of terms and hidden risks around pricing, support, data protection, liability, and termination. In this episode of Staying Connected, Tony Mangino and LB3 Partner Deb Boehling break down the three-party contracting triangle, expose the pitfalls of flow-through obligations, and share practical strategies for legal and procurement teams to protect their interests. If you want to avoid...
info_outlineA profound difference in the construct of service level agreements (SLAs) between managed services and outsourcing deals and network transport SLAs is that SLAs are more custom to a particular contract or customer. Knowing what to measure and how to measure it, however, can be challenging.
In this 10 minute podcast, Ben Fox, one of TC2’s Managing Directors, and Joe Schmidt help you understand how to define and negotiate these custom SLAs so you can include them in your next managed services or outsourcing deal.
If you would like to learn more about our experience in this space, please visit our Managed Services & Outsourcing and Success Stories webpages.