How a global creative network achieved 218% ROI with Vertice

The Challenge

At this global creative network, selecting and managing SaaS tools became increasingly complex due to the autonomy of its 20+ agencies. 

While some programs like Gmail were standardized, other tools such as Slack and Asana were used inconsistently across agencies, leading to costly overlaps and inefficiencies. The decentralized procurement processes, managed by a small back-office team spread across Finance, IT, and independently by some agencies, resulted in missed opportunities for consolidation and better-negotiated deals.

The decentralized structure of the organization meant that a small back-office team was tasked with navigating a labyrinth of procurement processes spread across departments like Finance and IT, and even handled independently by some agencies.

The Solution 

During the evaluation process, the network considered various solutions, including those operating on a credit-based model. However, these models were not scalable due to the large number of agencies and tools involved.

Vertice was chosen for its ability to establish a standardized procurement process and reduce future costs, rather than simply negotiating one-off contracts. Vertice’s global presence, with purchasing managers across various regions, allowed for more effective negotiations with software vendors worldwide.

Vertice’s international presence was a significant factor in their decision. Unlike other vendors, Vertice is not only an expert in negotiating deals in North America but also has purchasing managers globally. This extensive reach provides access to a broader range of data and insights, enabling more effective negotiations with software vendors worldwide. In this way, Vertice was able to act as a true partner, offering a comprehensive solution that supports organizations needs both now and in the future.

The initial focus was cataloging all tools being used and categorizing them based on ownership. This transparency enabled the network to identify areas for consolidation and negotiate better terms with vendors. By consolidating efforts and negotiating as a single entity, they secured enterprise-level pricing that individual agencies could not achieve independently.

The Results

Since partnering with Vertice, the organization has experienced significant improvements in procurement processes and cost management. Vertice helped the network achieve an average of 14% savings per contract on its SaaS spend, resulting in a 218% return on investment within the first nine months of the partnership.

Beyond immediate cost savings, Vertice provided a structured procurement process that addressed inefficiencies and enabled long-term financial sustainability. They’ve also gained greater visibility into software usage and spending across its agencies, facilitating more strategic decision-making and improved budget planning.