- Background & Credibility
IBM Advisory.
Precisely Delivered.
The Vertens Group offers two core services, both built on the same foundation: inside knowledge of how IBM Enterprise License Agreements are designed, priced, and negotiated.
Every engagement is customized. Every fee structure is agreed before work begins. Every engagement is handled directly by our founding team.
- Customized to every client
- Fee agreed before work begins
- Handled by founding team
- Complete confidentiality
01
- Core Engagement
IBM Enterprise License
Agreement Advisory
The Vertens Group offers two core services, both built on the same foundation: inside knowledge of how IBM Enterprise License Agreements are designed, priced, and negotiated.
Every engagement is customized. Every fee structure is agreed before work begins. Every engagement is handled directly by our founding team.
Who It's For
- Procurement executives, CIOs, CFOs, and Vendor Management leaders
- Organizations with IBM software portfolios of $10M or more annually
- Financial institutions, telecommunications providers, airlines, and government agencies
- Any enterprise approaching an IBM renewal within the next 18 months
Problems It Addresses
- No visibility into how IBM builds its ELA pricing structure
- Per-unit pricing adjustments that neutralize license reductions
- Complexity of moving from perpetual to consumption-based models
- Multi-agreement overlap risk across ICA/CRA, IPAA, IPLA, S&S, and mainframe terms
- Negotiating against a team with structural information advantages
Problems It Addresses
- Documented, measurable savings confirmed at contract execution
- Improved contract structure — flexibility, consumption model, and term alignment
- Clarity on IBM's pricing architecture and where real leverage exists
- Reduced risk from overlapping IBM agreement terms
- A defined, informed posture for every future IBM renewal
Documented savings confirmed at contract execution
Greater consumption flexibility in agreement structure
Reduced contractual risk across overlapping IBM terms
Full clarity on IBM's true pricing architecture
Stronger positioning for every future IBM renewal
Engagement Models
MODEL A
Fixed Fee
Scope and fee agreed before work begins. Clear deliverables. No ambiguity. Best suited for organizations that prefer defined cost certainty across the engagement.
MODEL B
Percentage of Savings
Fee calculated as a confidential percentage of realized savings, agreed privately with each client. We earn when you save. Incentives fully aligned from day one.
Typical Engagement Timeline
Active negotiation typically runs 60–120 days from initial portfolio review through to contract execution and confirmed savings.
Request a Confidential
Consultation
Schedule a 30-minute discovery conversation with our founding team. No obligation. No fee.
Organizations
we
serve best
- Financial Services
- Telecommunications
- Aviations
- Government & Public Sector
02
- Post-Negotiation Advisory
Ongoing IBM Advisory
For organizations that want to maintain structural advantage across the full lifecycle of their IBM relationship — not just at the point of renewal.
Ongoing advisory relationships are structured as customized retainers. Scope, cadence, and fee are agreed per client and are not publicly disclosed.
Who It's For
Organizations that have completed an initial ELA advisory engagement. IBM licensees seeking continuity in contract management and renewal readiness. Senior IT and procurement leaders who want a trusted expert on call for IBM-related decisions.
What Ongoing Advisory Covers
- IBM consumption monitoring and chargeback model guidance
- Compliance risk review — identifying exposure before IBM does
- Upcoming renewal planning and early strategic positioning
- SaaS and hosted model migration strategy
- Proactive monitoring of IBM licensing changes affecting your portfolio
Engagement Structure
Retainer engagements are customized per client. Scope, cadence, and fee are agreed privately before the engagement begins. No publicly disclosed pricing — every arrangement reflects the specific complexity and value of the client’s IBM portfolio.
Begin with a Confidential Conversation
Every engagement starts
the same way.
Every engagement starts the same way.
A 30-minute confidential discovery conversation — at no cost and no obligation. We review your IBM situation and confirm whether and how we can help.
Response within one business day · All engagements conducted under NDA