Salesforce just announced a 6% price increase effective August 1st (20% for Slack Business+), alongside new Agentforce and Slack plans. This includes a staggering $125/user/month Agentforce add-on and an Agenforce 1 Edition for $550/user/month. In this episode, Adam Mansfield, Salesforce Practice Leader at UpperEdge, breaks down the real strategy b…

In this episode of Insights for IT Negotiations, UpperEdge’s Adam Mansfield joins Kylie Chisholm to unpack the evolving reality of vendor lock-in in the cloud era and how AI is deepening that entrenchment. From the long-standing SaaS model to today’s rapidly spreading AI offerings from Microsoft, Salesforce, and others, organizations are finding th…

Jeff Lazarto, Oracle Practice Leader at UpperEdge, breaks down Oracle’s explosive FY25 earnings, the role of AI in their growth, and strategic guidance for existing and prospective Oracle customers. From cloud infrastructure to database demand and Oracle’s aggressive sales posture, this episode unpacks what buyers need to know now to negotiate smar…

Microsoft’s mega deal is raising big questions. A report suggests Microsoft is working on a 1 million-seat Microsoft 365 Copilot deal, but what does that actually mean for customers? In this episode, Adam Mansfield, Advisory Practice Leader at UpperEdge, dissects the potential Microsoft 365 Copilot mega-deal and raises critical questions about poss…

There has been speculation that Microsoft is going to one day introduce a Microsoft 365 E7 plan. Adam Mansfield, Advisory Practice Leader at UpperEdge, shares his take on whether Microsoft 365 E7 is coming and why customers shouldn’t wait around for it. He breaks down the math behind M365 E3, M365 E5, and M365 Copilot pricing, the pitfalls of bundl…

In this episode of Insights for IT Negotiations, Jeff Lazarto and Shane Griffin pull back the curtain on a recent Oracle ERP transformation engagement. They share how a client secured over $11 million in savings and achieved long-term pricing protections without turning negotiations adversarial. Tune in to learn how UpperEdge’s relationship-based a…

In this episode, Jeff Lazarto, Workday Practice Leader at UpperEdge, breaks down Workday’s Q1 FY26 earnings and what they reveal about the company’s direction—and how enterprise customers should respond. With 13% YoY growth, major investments in AI agents, and the rollout of Workday Go for rapid deployments, Workday is pushing innovation and reach …

Salesforce just released its Q1 FY26 earnings, and it’s clear: Agentforce (Salesforce’s AI offering), and Data Cloud are at the heart of its future growth strategy. In this episode, Adam Mansfield, Advisory Practice Leader at UpperEdge, unpacks the financials and the implications for current and future Salesforce customers. From 8000 Agentforce cus…

In this episode, Adam Mansfield, Advisory Practice Leader at UpperEdge, analyzes key messages from ServiceNow’s recent Financial Analyst Day and what has been revealed to ServiceNow customers, including ServiceNow’s clear focus on accelerating AI revenue growth and getting customers to upgrade. He also discusses what that means for customers moving…

As vendors like Microsoft and Accenture leverage AI to gain an edge in IT negotiations, enterprise buyers risk falling behind. In this episode, UpperEdge CEO David Blake joins hosts John Belden and Kylie Chisholm to discuss the evolving role of the third-party advisor (TPA) and why independence, intelligence, and strategy matter more than ever. Lea…

Fresh from Knowledge 2025, ServiceNow’s annual conference in Las Vegas, Adam Mansfield, Advisory Practice Leader at UpperEdge, shares his takeaways from the event, including customer sentiment and concerns, as well as his perspective on ServiceNow’s aggressive pivot toward AI and CRM. While the ServiceNow keynote showcased big ambitions around beco…

In this episode, Adam Mansfield, Advisory Practice Leader at UpperEdge, unpacks key takeaways from Microsoft’s FY25 Q3 earnings and what they really mean for enterprise customers heading into negotiations. From Copilot adoption trends and RPO growth to margin pressure and pricing tactics, Adam explains how Microsoft is positioning itself and why ev…

In this episode of Insights for IT Negotiations, UpperEdge’s Adam Mansfield and Kylie Chisholm have a candid conversation on the mounting frustrations enterprise customers face with major SaaS vendors like Microsoft, Salesforce, and ServiceNow. From relentless AI upsells to opaque consumption-based pricing and universal cost increases, Adam breaks …

ServiceNow just posted strong Q1 FY25 earnings—and raised its full-year guidance. But what does that mean for customers facing renewals or being pushed into early AI (Pro Plus upgrade) and CRM expansions? Adam Mansfield, ServiceNow Practice Leader at UpperEdge, breaks down the results, what ServiceNow executives had to say during the earnings call,…

In this candid session, Adam Mansfield, Advisory Practice Leader at UpperEdge, challenges the long-held promise of SaaS flexibility. Drawing from real-world client conversations in 2025, he exposes the disconnect between vendor (Salesforce, ServiceNow, Microsoft…etc.) sales pitches and the contractual realities. Learn what you can do to effectively…

Heading to ServiceNow Knowledge? Don’t just show up—show up with a strategy. In this episode of Insights for IT Negotiations, UpperEdge’s ServiceNow expert, Adam Mansfield, shares critical guidance for IT leaders on how to extract real value from the event. Whether you're planning to evaluate Now Assist, expand into Pro Plus, or simply optimize you…

In this episode, Adam Mansfield, Advisory Practice Leader at UpperEdge, breaks down the fine print pitfalls in SaaS renewal negotiations with vendors like Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Microsoft. He shares real-world insights from ongoing client conversations and highlights three major conditions that can quietly undermine your renewal protections—im…

In this episode, Adam Mansfield, Salesforce Advisory Practice Leader at UpperEdge, breaks down the complexities of Salesforce's Success Plans (Premier and Signature Success and Security offerings (Shield). He explains how the “percentage-of-net” licensing metric tied to these products can dramatically impact your spend, and offers actionable strate…

Adam Mansfield, Practice Leader at UpperEdge, breaks down ServiceNow’s latest acquisition of Logik.ai—an AI-powered CPQ solution—and what it means for ServiceNow and Salesforce customers and the CRM market. With this move, ServiceNow doubles down on its ambitions to move deeper into the CRM market and better compete against now rival Salesforce wit…

In this episode of Insights for IT Negotiations, UpperEdge’s Chief Research Officer, John Belden, sits down with Marc Kermisch to explore the critical challenges of talent deserts, why IT projects fail, and how Generative AI is reshaping the way organizations approach innovation. Marc shares insights from his experience at Emergent Software, discus…

Adam Mansfield, UpperEdge’s Microsoft Advisory Practice Leader, dives into Microsoft Copilot Studio—its significance to Microsoft, how it is priced, its licensing model, and how Microsoft customers should approach negotiations. Learn why usage definitions matter, how to optimize your contract, and the key factors to consider before adopting (and us…

Are you truly getting the flexibility you need from your enterprise SaaS vendor (Salesforce, ServiceNow, Microsoft etc.) and are your contracts set up well to provide it? Adam Mansfield, UpperEdge’s Practice Leader, dives into the critical issues surrounding flexibility in SaaS agreements and shares his thoughts on how customers can fix the likely …

Microsoft is significantly increasing Power BI and Teams Phone pricing starting April 1st. Adam Mansfield, UpperEdge’s Microsoft Advisory Practice Leader, breaks down the justifications given, the hidden motivations behind these changes, and what Microsoft customers can do to navigate the price hikes effectively. Learn how to turn Microsoft’s tacti…

In this episode of Insights for IT Negotiations, hosts Adam Mansfield and Kylie Chisholm dive into the evolving landscape of SaaS negotiations. They discuss how vendors are responding to market changes, the key considerations for IT decision-makers, and strategies to maximize value in software agreements. Tune in to gain expert insights and practic…

The CRM and ITSM battleground is heating up! Salesforce and ServiceNow are stepping into each other's territories, creating opportunities for strategic moves. In this video,Adam Mansfield, UpperEdge's Salesforce Advisory Practice Leader, breaks down the latest developments, key insights from recent earnings calls, and how customers can leverage thi…

Adam Mansfield, UpperEdge’s Microsoft Advisory Practice Leader, shares valuable insights on when and how to prepare for Microsoft renewals. He outlines key questions to consider, strategic timelines, and effective negotiation tactics to secure the best deal. Whether your renewal is months away or fast approaching, Adam’s advice can help you maximiz…

ServiceNow just announced its largest acquisition ever — a $2.85 billion purchase of Moveworks. This strategic move doubles down on AI and enterprise search capabilities, aiming to expand ServiceNow’s footprint in CRM and customer insights. What does this mean for customers and the future of ServiceNow’s offerings? Adam Mansfield, UpperEdge’s Servi…

In this episode of Insights for IT Negotiations, host Kylie Chisholm is joined by Adam Mansfield, UpperEdge’s Microsoft, ServiceNow, and Salesforce Practice Leader, to discuss how organizations can prepare for upcoming Microsoft renewals. They dive into Microsoft's latest earnings call, the company’s push for early commitments, and key strategies t…

Many CIOs are voicing a common concern: Beforeinvesting in new Salesforce products, they need to see more value from what they already have. As Salesforce pushes AI, data, and additional products, customers are questioning spending priorities, engineering investments, costincreases and where their subscription fees are going. In this video, Salesfo…

Adam Mansfield breaks down Salesforce's Q4 FY25 earnings, revealing mixed results with single-digit growth and some key misses on analyst expectations. CEO Marc Benioff is doubling down on AI (Agentforce) and Data Cloud, but most specifically the "Holy Trinity" of CRM (Apps / Customer 360) + AI + Data. With CFO (Weaver) and COO (Millham) transition…

In this insightful discussion, we explore the critical aspects of negotiating software-as-a-service (SaaS) pricing with major vendors like Microsoft, Salesforce, ServiceNow, SAP, andOracle. From ensuring upfront discounts translate to long term savings to leveraging volume discount structures and scrutinizing future pricing tables, this conversatio…

In this episode of Insights for IT Negotiations, hosts John Belden and Kylie Chisholm are joined by Oracle advisory experts Jeff Lazarto and Shane Griffin from UpperEdge. They dive deep into Oracle's pricing strategies, Fusion ERP, and critical negotiation tactics. Learn how to navigate Oracle contracts, secure the best pricing, and avoid common pi…

Welcome to Insights for IT Negotiations, a podcast by UpperEdge, a leading IT sourcing, negotiation, and project execution advisory firm. Join John Belden, UpperEdge’s Chief Research and Strategy Officer, and Kylie Chisholm, UpperEdge’s Marketing Manager, every other week as they share valuable insights to help you maximize the value of your key IT…

As the biggest SaaS vendors (Microsoft, ServiceNow, and Salesforce) pivot to consumption-based licensing models for AI products and services, how will it impact customers' pricing and long-term value? In this episode, we break down the major industry licensing shift, what’s driving it on the vendors' side, and what customers need to negotiate to en…

Salesforce just made a game-changing announcement—combining the COO and CFO roles into one, appointing Robin Washington to lead the charge. But with longtime executives Brian Millham and Amy Weaver stepping down, the market is reacting with skepticism. In this episode, we break down what this leadership shift means for Salesforce’s AI-driven future…

In this episode, we dive into the latest Salesforce renewal negotiations and the growing emphasis on AI and Data Cloud. With Salesforce pushing hard for Agentforce adoption, our Salesforce expert breaks down what this means for customers, the hidden costs behind consumption-based pricing, and the strategies you need to maximize value from your exis…

Microsoft just reported its Q2 FY2025 earnings, highlighting strong cloud growth but falling short on future guidance. With AI-driven revenue at the forefront, Microsoft is pushing hard for greater adoption of Copilot, Microsoft 365 E5, and Azure services. If you’re an enterprise customer, this is the moment to negotiate better pricing, ensure tran…

ServiceNow just reported its Q4 FY2024 earnings, revealing strong revenue growth but falling slightly short of analysts’ expectations. AI remains a major focus, with significant growth in its ProPlus offerings and a push toward increased customer adoption of Now Assist. With ambitious revenue targets of $15 billion by 2026 and $30 billion in the fu…

Welcome to Insights for IT Negotiations, a podcast by UpperEdge, a leading IT sourcing, negotiation, and project execution advisory firm. Join John Belden, UpperEdge’s Chief Research and Strategy Officer, and Kylie Chisholm, UpperEdge’s Marketing Manager, every other week as they share valuable insights to help you maximize the value of your key IT…

Welcome to Insights for IT Negotiations, a podcast by ⁠UpperEdge⁠, a leading IT sourcing, negotiation, and project execution advisory firm. Join John Belden, UpperEdge’s Chief Research and Strategy Officer, and Kylie Chisholm, UpperEdge’s Marketing Manager, every other week as they share valuable insights to help you maximize the value of your key …

Salesforce’s Q3 FY25 total revenue came in at $9.44B, representing an 8% growth year-over-year. This came in slightly above the $9.35B expected by analysts. While Salesforce did slightly raise the low end of their Full Year FY25 guidance from $37.7B to $37.7B (high end set at $38B), they also maintained an expected single digit revenue growth for F…

Welcome to Insights for IT Negotiations, a podcast by UpperEdge, a leading IT sourcing, negotiation, and project execution advisory firm. Join John Belden, UpperEdge’s Chief Research and Strategy Officer, and Kylie Chisholm, UpperEdge’s Marketing Manager, every other week as they share valuable insights to help you maximize the value of your key IT…

Microsoft announced their FY25 Q1 earnings last evening. Total revenue was reported as $65.6B, better than the $64.5B that analysts were expecting. The critically important Microsoft Cloud revenue, which includes Azure, O365 Commercial, LinkedIn, Dynamics 365, and other cloud products, came in at $38.B, representing a 22% increase year-over-year. M…

ServiceNow’s FY24 Q3 subscription revenue came in at $2.72B, representing 23% growth year-over-year while, once again, beating guidance and analyst expectations. ServiceNow also raised their full year FY24 subscription revenue guidance, now expecting somewhere between $10.65B and $10.66B, about a 23% growth. In this podcast, ServiceNow Practice Lea…

Welcome to Insights for IT Negotiations, a podcast by UpperEdge, a leading IT sourcing, negotiation, and project execution advisory firm. Join John Belden, UpperEdge’s Chief Research and Strategy Officer, and Kylie Chisholm, UpperEdge’s Marketing Manager, every other week as they share valuable insights to help you maximize the value of your key IT…

Welcome to Insights for IT Negotiations, a podcast by UpperEdge, a leading IT sourcing, negotiation, and project execution advisory firm. Join John Belden, UpperEdge’s Chief Research and Strategy Officer, and Kylie Chisholm, UpperEdge’s Marketing Manager, every other week as they share valuable insights to help you maximize the value of your key IT…

Welcome to Insights for IT Negotiations, a podcast by UpperEdge, a leading IT sourcing, negotiation, and project execution advisory firm. Join John Belden, UpperEdge’s Chief Research and Strategy Officer, and Kylie Chisholm, UpperEdge’s Marketing Manager, every other week as they share valuable insights to help you maximize the value of your key IT…

Salesforce’s Q1 FY25 total revenue came in at $9.325B, representing an 8% growth year-over-year. This came in slightly above the $9.225B expected by analysts. Operating Margin came in at 33.7%, beating the analyst expected 31.94%. While Salesforce did raise their FY25 operating margin guidance to 32.8%, they also maintained their expected single di…

Welcome to Insights for IT Negotiations, a podcast by ⁠UpperEdge⁠, a leading IT sourcing, negotiation, and project execution advisory firm. Join John Belden, UpperEdge’s Chief Research and Strategy Officer, and Kylie Chisholm, UpperEdge’s Marketing Manager, every other week as they share valuable insights to help you maximize the value of your key …

Microsoft announced their FY24 Q4 earnings recently, and the total Q4 revenue was reported as $64.7B, better than the $64.39B analysts were expecting. The critically important Microsoft Cloud revenue, which includes Azure, O365 Commercial, LinkedIn, Dynamics 365, and other cloud product, came in at $36.8B, representing a 21% increase year-over-year…