4 easy ways to optimize your Adobe licensing spend

Adobe users, are you getting the most out of your licenses?

It’s understandable if you haven’t asked yourself this. You’re likely not alone. But that doesn’t make the question any less important.

Software spend was anticipated to account for roughly 30% of business IT spend in 2021. That percentage will likely continue to grow as the upswing in software as a service (SaaS) purchases initiated by COVID-19 continues – making the possibility of SaaS sprawl a legitimate organizational concern.

Not to fear, we’ve got you covered. Here are four ways to maximize your Adobe licensing purchases:

1. Lock in a multiple-year commitment

Price increases happen all the time. Signing a multi-year agreement locks you into an annual fixed rate, so these price hikes won’t impact you. Even if the license cost goes up, you pay the same amount for the duration of your contract. These yearly savings tend to add up.

Ultimately, by committing to a certain number of licenses (10 or more) for three years – paid annually – you can expect to see even deeper discounts, which you can put into other areas of your business.

2. Consolidate for volume discounts

It’s not uncommon for businesses to have multiple agreements and buying programs spread throughout the organization. We’ve seen anywhere from 15 to 20 different agreements going on at one time. This is problematic because it can lead to unchecked subscriptions, out-of-control costs, and security risks.

Instead, consolidate these licenses under Adobe’s Value Incentive Plan (VIP). This subscription-based licensing program offers centralized control, simplified deployment, and, best of all, savings opportunities.

The more Adobe licenses you can purchase under one common arrangement, the greater the discounts you can achieve – anywhere from 5% to 50%.

3. Utilize bulk purchasing

Speaking of volume discounts, we have two words for you: bulk purchasing.

A bulk purchase typically starts with 100 licenses, but the more you buy, the more you save. Consider bulk purchasing of Acrobat, for example. When buying over 100 Acrobat licenses, you have the option to seek special pricing with Adobe. This is typically on a case-by-case basis, but it’s usually designed for businesses still using perpetual models.

If you’re willing to switch from perpetual to subscription licenses, purchase in bulk, and move them under a single VIP agreement, you can achieve even greater discounts.

4. Go the ‘a la carte’ route

Following an “a la carte” approach is another way to take advantage of your Adobe licenses – especially when it comes to Creative Cloud.

A full Creative Cloud Suite has over 20 apps, but who’s to say your employees are – or will be – utilizing all of them regularly? Maybe they only use two or three apps consistently, like Photoshop or Illustrator.

In this case, it’s more cost-effective to break up the full suite or purchase the most widely used apps individually. That way you maximize your investment, reduce waste, and save money.

Strategic partners for all your licensing challenges

Underestimating the intricacies of software licensing can put your organization in a bind. Fortunately, you don’t have to take on this complicated subject alone.

SHI’s License Advisory can help you optimize your software license strategy, maximize the value of your purchases, and support you through the entire software lifecycle. Whether it’s Adobe or any of the other major software vendors, SHI has the expertise and experience to put your mind at ease.