RECENT STORIES:

Addressing digital sovereignty in a data-driven world
Global AI Data Center Infrastructure Leader Zettabyte Receives Strateg...
Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. Announces Changes to Its Freight Brokerag...
FNZ Directors Move to Silence Employee Shareholders Behind USD $4.6 Bi...
Noah Holdings and ARK Wealth Hosts Inaugural Global Chinese Wealth Man...
Elegoo Wraps the First Phase of “ELEGOO With Her”, Spotlig...
LOGIN REGISTER
DigiconAsia
  • Features
    • Featured

      Reimagining customer experience with AI

      Reimagining customer experience with AI

      Friday, August 1, 2025, 2:20 PM Asia/Singapore | Features
    • Featured

      Digital innovation for food safety and sustainability in S E Asia

      Digital innovation for food safety and sustainability in S E Asia

      Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 1:29 PM Asia/Singapore | Features
    • Featured

      Asia the true testbed for AI agents

      Asia the true testbed for AI agents

      Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 2:42 PM Asia/Singapore | Customer Experience, Features
  • News
    • Featured

      Experts warn: Deregulated AI rivalry among nations could heighten global risks and instability

      Experts warn: Deregulated AI rivalry among nations could heighten global risks and instability

      Friday, August 1, 2025, 9:31 PM Asia/Singapore | News, Newsletter
    • Featured

      AI and cloud driving growth in software market

      AI and cloud driving growth in software market

      Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 4:58 PM Asia/Singapore | News, Newsletter
    • Featured

      Survey reports IT leaders’ perceptions on enterprise network priorities and challenges

      Survey reports IT leaders’ perceptions on enterprise network priorities and challenges

      Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 5:10 PM Asia/Singapore | News, Newsletter
  • Perspectives
  • Tips & Strategies
  • Whitepapers
  • Awards 2023
  • Directory
  • E-Learning

Select Page

Tips & Strategies

Regain IT strategy control with these tips to avoid vendor lock-in

By DigiconAsia Editors | Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 3:26 PM Asia/Singapore

Regain IT strategy control with these tips to avoid vendor lock-in

Learn how organizations can mitigate vendor lock-in risks, adopt hybrid IT approaches, and align technology decisions with business goals.

As the fulminant advances of AI reshape IT spending across industries, one factor that influences organizations’ freedom to choose tech vendors to explore new avenues of digital transformation or technology pathways is vendor lock-in.

Rigid licensing terms may limit flexibility, while frequent upgrades can disrupt operations and add costs. Organizations tied to vendor-controlled roadmaps often lose autonomy over decisions such as feature adoption, upgrade timing, and resource allocation. This can restrict their ability to explore best-of-breed solutions or adapt quickly to market shifts, according to Han-Tiong Law, Regional CTO (ASEAN and Greater China), Rimini Street.

No doubt, the original vendors of enterprise software platforms often provide benefits such as integrated ecosystems, streamlined workflows, and access to cutting-edge technologies. The trick is to balance these advantages with other options to avoid the risks of lock-in. This requires a strategic approach tailored to each organization’s goals, as Law noted.

Regaining control over IT strategy

To mitigate the risks of vendor lock-in while leveraging technology effectively, businesses should shift from a vendor-driven approach to a business-driven strategy: one where IT decisions align with organizational objectives rather than external agendas. Law offers the following strategies:

  1. Evaluate vendor contracts for flexibility
    IT leaders should review existing contracts for restrictive terms, price escalation risks, and unnecessary dependencies. Asking questions such as “Can we walk away if business needs change or better solutions emerge?” can help identify areas for improvement. Contracts that allow disengagement provide leverage in negotiations while minimizing risks of lock-in.
  2. Embrace a Hybrid IT Approach
    Relying solely on one vendor increases the risk of lock-in. A hybrid IT approach — combining on-premises infrastructure with cloud-based and multi-vendor solutions — can enhance flexibility while reducing dependency on any single provider. For example, rising cloud costs have prompted some organizations to adopt on-premises infrastructure for better control over expenses and security. By diversifying their IT environments, businesses can optimize operations based on evolving needs rather than being constrained by vendor ecosystems.

    (This suggestion by Law is useful: however, while vendors may impose end-of-support deadlines, these timelines are often designed to ensure security compliance and compatibility with evolving technologies. It is ultimately up to organizations to evaluate whether upgrades align with their operational priorities before committing resources.)
  3. Assess upgrade necessity before committing
    Businesses often upgrade systems not because they are failing but due to vendor-imposed end-of-support deadlines. Before committing resources to upgrades, IT leaders should evaluate whether these changes are truly necessary or whether alternative support models could sustain operations effectively.

Third-party software support providers may offer cost-saving alternatives by maintaining systems without requiring frequent upgrades or reliance on vendor security patches. While this approach can reduce maintenance expenses significantly, organizations should carefully assess providers’ capabilities before making decisions.

Welcome budget outcomes

By adopting a business-driven IT strategy rather than relying solely on vendor roadmaps, organizations can achieve several key benefits:

  • Reduced IT expenses: Moving away from rigid licensing terms and upgrade cycles may lead to meaningful cost savings that can be reinvested into growth initiatives.
  • Increased operational flexibility: Fewer restrictions enable IT teams to choose technologies tailored to business needs rather than being confined within a single ecosystem.
  • Stronger business continuity: Greater control over IT systems allows companies to respond quickly to market shifts or operational changes without waiting for vendor timelines.
  • Accelerated innovation: By fostering innovation aligned with organizational goals rather than external agendas, businesses can achieve transformation efficiently while minimizing disruptions.

Take charge of IT strategy

Vendor lock-in presents challenges but is not insurmountable. By prioritizing business needs over external pressures, organizations can regain control over their technology strategies while maintaining agility in adapting to new opportunities.
Exploring diverse approaches — such as hybrid IT models or alternative support solutions — can empower IT leaders to negotiate smarter contracts and build resilient systems that align with long-term goals.
Noted Law: “Ultimately, a proactive strategy starts with organizational objectives — not vendor agendas.”

Share:

PreviousJAL streamlines cabin crew reporting challenges with offline-optimized generative AI
NextHow are geopolitical tensions driving stricter cybersecurity rules and supply chain oversight?

Related Posts

Data COE system should be more common in SEA used-car markets

Data COE system should be more common in SEA used-car markets

May 24, 2021

Are large APAC firms rewriting their cloud strategies in 2025?

Are large APAC firms rewriting their cloud strategies in 2025?

February 4, 2025

Indonesia’s largest financial institution goes full steam on data analytics

Indonesia’s largest financial institution goes full steam on data analytics

June 18, 2020

Understanding cognitive process automation in accounts payable and financial transactions

Understanding cognitive process automation in accounts payable and financial transactions

December 15, 2023

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Awards Nomination Banner

gamification list

PARTICIPATE NOW

top placement

Whitepapers

  • Achieve Modernization Without the Complexity

    Achieve Modernization Without the Complexity

    Transforming IT infrastructure is crucial …Download Whitepaper
  • 5 Steps to Boost IT Infrastructure Reliability

    5 Steps to Boost IT Infrastructure Reliability

    In today's fast-evolving tech landscape, …Download Whitepaper
  • Simplify Payroll Setup for Your Small Business

    Simplify Payroll Setup for Your Small Business

    In our free guide, "How …Download Whitepaper
  • Overcoming the Challenges of Cost & Complexity in the Cloud-first Era.

    Overcoming the Challenges of Cost & Complexity in the Cloud-first Era.

    Download Whitepaper

Middle Placement

Case Studies

  • China’s AI-powered health manager app connects millions to better healthcare resources

    China’s AI-powered health manager app connects millions to better healthcare resources

    Recent digital transformation efforts streamline …Read More
  • Operationalizing sustainability in cybersecurity: Group-IB’s approach

    Operationalizing sustainability in cybersecurity: Group-IB’s approach

    See how the firm turned …Read More
  • Roojai Insurance (Thailand) doubles agent productivity through digital transformation

    Roojai Insurance (Thailand) doubles agent productivity through digital transformation

    Roojai Insurance (Thailand) doubles agent …Read More
  • Malayan Insurance achieves IFRS 17 readiness with SAS

    Malayan Insurance achieves IFRS 17 readiness with SAS

    A leading Philippines non-life insurer …Read More

Bottom Sidebar

Other News

  • Global AI Data Center Infrastructure Leader Zettabyte Receives Strategic Investment from Lam Capital

    August 2, 2025
    Lam Capital Joins Funding Round …Read More »
  • Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. Announces Changes to Its Freight Brokerage Service

    August 2, 2025
    GUIYANG, China, Aug. 2, 2025 …Read More »
  • FNZ Directors Move to Silence Employee Shareholders Behind USD $4.6 Billion Class Action

    August 2, 2025
    LONDON, Aug. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ …Read More »
  • Noah Holdings and ARK Wealth Hosts Inaugural Global Chinese Wealth Management and Inheritance Summit in Singapore

    August 1, 2025
    —— Shaping Resilient and Innovative …Read More »
  • Elegoo Wraps the First Phase of “ELEGOO With Her”, Spotlighting Women Creators in Home Decor, Fashion, Cosplay, and Education

    August 1, 2025
    SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 1, 2025 …Read More »
  • Our Brands
  • CybersecAsia
  • MartechAsia
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertising & Reprint Policy
  • Media Kit
  • Subscribe
  • Manage Subscriptions
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 DigiconAsia All Rights Reserved.