This panel discussion will explore the growing challenge of vendor lock-in in SaaS procurement and offer practical strategies for maintaining flexibility and negotiating smarter contracts. With the rapid growth of AI-driven tools and automation, many organizations are unknowingly locked into long-term commitments that limit agility, drive up costs, and create operational friction. Panelists will share lessons learned from real-world procurement experiences, discuss how to identify and avoid lock-in risk early, and provide guidance on building resilient, future-proof vendor strategies. Attendees will gain insight into how to recognize red flags in vendor agreements, what to consider during initial negotiations, and how procurement can better align with IT and finance to control spend and maximize value over time.

The discussion will cover questions such as:

• How to detect subtle forms of vendor lock-in early—and what procurement signals should raise concern?
• How to stay ahead when “small” tools scale quickly—what strategies help adjust negotiations and cost controls in time?
• How to spot and address red flags in SaaS contracts before they become compliance or cost issues?
• How to maintain leverage and flexibility when working with strategic or dominant vendors like Microsoft?