VENDOR LINK
Optimize Contract Management & Vendor Relations
Optimize Contract Spending through Smart Vendor Management
Save $50K-$100K Annually
per $100M in Assets
How it Works
| A CRITICAL ELEMENT FOR VENDOR MANAGEMENT
Linking Contract Intelligence & Vendor Performance Strategies
VENDOR LINK is a vendor contract intelligence and cost reduction solution that focuses on contract negotiation strategy, enhanced scope of services, and risk mitigation, with an analysis of more than 450 vendor contract cost areas while providing insights to optimize vendor performance.
| VALUE PROPOSITIONS
- Risk-Free with ROI Guarantees
- Data-Driven Actionable Intelligence
- Cost Optimization & Risk Mitigation
- Time & Resource Efficient
- Tailor-Made Engagements
- Industry Experts & Insights
- Trusted Partner
| OBJECTIVES
Contract Intelligence
- Realize Actionable Vendor Contract Intelligence
- Leverage Proprietary Vendor Data Warehouse
- Improve Visibility of Vendor Relationships & Contracts
- Achieve Industry Best Practices & Expert Insights
- Enhance Contract Negotiation Positioning
Vendor Performance
- Reduce Vendor Contract Costs/Risks
- Streamline Vendor Selection/RFP Roadmap
- Strengthen Vendor Relationships & Service Standards
- Enhance Vendor Roadmap & Scope of Products
- Optimize Technology Alignment/System Integrations
| VENDOR & CONTRACT ASSESSMENT
Contract Intelligence
CONTRACT ANALYSIS & VISIBILITY
Our team of strategic analysts will evaluate the vendor contracts at your financial institution and benchmark milestones to reach your goals. When the time is right to negotiate with each vendor, we will alert you and provide a thorough plan of strategic methodology to negotiate with each vendor.
INDUSTRY DATA & BEST PRACTICES
Our team of analysts evaluate and monitor industry trends to keep our pricing strategies and product knowledge sharp and up to date. Additionally, we leverage our internal database of more than 1,000 contracts to benchmark your current costs and terms against others in your peer group.
BENCHMARKING & COSTING METRICS
We develop customized benchmarks and cost metrics for each client. This allows us to compare your current costs against industry standards and our target cost benchmarking data.
VENDOR PEER GROUP ANALYSIS & COMPARISON
We compare your costs against those of your peers to identify areas of improvement and leverage opportunities to aid in our negotiations.
TRUSTED PARTNER & INDUSTRY EXPERT INSIGHTS
Our strategic analysts have invested over 15 years in building vendor relationships and negotiating contracts. We frequently attend vendor conferences and seminars and are thought leaders in contract negotiation strategy and market technology and trends.
Vendor Performance
CONTRACT NEGOTIATION & RISK MITIGATION
We begin by conducting a detailed appraisal of your contracts, comparing your costs against target cost benchmarking data. From there, we develop customized negotiation strategies for each vendor engagement, including risk assessment.
VENDOR SELECTION & ROADMAP
While staying with your incumbent vendor is the first choice, if your financial institution feels it is time to assess the vendors in the market, we work with you to select 3-5 that best meet your goals and make plans to progress down to a final vendor of your choosing. We will look at how all of your vendors integrate and the timeline of change.
RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
The relationship you have established with your vendor is important to us, and we will maintain the current relationship while strengthening the dynamics and ensuring you have several paths to customer service, training, and product development.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Through a rich analysis of your current scope of services, we’ll identify opportunities to eliminate unused services and add more functional and efficient services to move you closer to your financial institution’s goals. We’ll ensure payment strategies, marketing, growth metrics, and analytics are in place.
DIGITAL CONSULTING
Our team will meet you where you are with your current online banking, mobile, and bill pay contracts. We’ll collaborate on a roadmap that brings the digital experience to the forefront of your customers or members that aligns with the branch experience. We’ll ensure your third-party vendor integrates and identify technology gaps.
| DATA-DRIVEN ANALYSIS & INSIGHTS
450 Contract Areas
| CORE DATA PROCESSING
100+ contract cost components or areas:
- Cost per Open Account
- Cost per Closed Account
- Fee per ACH
- Software Maintenance
- Module & API Fees
- Fee per ATM/Debit Card Record
- All Other Related Charges & Fees
| DIGITAL BANKING
40+ contract cost components or areas:
Digital Banking- Monthly per Users Fees Consumer & Business
- Fees for Internal Transfers & P2P Transfers
- Fees for Cash Management Services
- Cost for Online Account Opening
- Cost for Online Loan Origination
- Fees for Site Hosting & VPN
Online Banking
- Monthly Base Maintenance
- Cost per Enrolled Device
- Alerts & Notifications
- Remote Deposit Capture
- Monthly User Fees
- Monthly Bill Fees
| ATM/DEBIT CARD PROCESSING
60+ contract cost components or areas:
- PIN/POS Debit Card Transactions
- Signature Debit Card Transactions
- Card Account File Management
- ATM Residency Fees
- ATM Terminal Driving & Support
- All Other Related Charges & Fees
| CREDIT CARD PROCESSING
80+ contract cost components or areas
- Card Account File Management
- Card Authorization Transactions
- Statement Preparation and Management
- Fraud Monitoring & Reporting
- Rewards Revenue and Expense
- All Other Related Charges and Fees
| CARD BRANDING
10+ contract cost components or areas
- Principal or Affiliate Agreements
- Visa, MasterCard, Discover Debit
- Conversion & Launch Support
- Marketing Funds
- Volume-based Incentives
- All Other Related Incentives and Fees
| OTHER VENDOR CONTRACTS
160+ contract cost components or areas
- Item/Image Processing
- Check Printing
- Communication Services
- ATM/Equipment Maintenance
- Armored Car Services
- Debit Payments Network
- Credit Reporting
- Other Contract Types Upon Request
| 3-PHASE APPROACH TO VENDOR EXCELLENCE
Minimal Disruption. Maximum ROI.
We value your time and understand that your team is juggling other strategic initiatives that are equally instrumental to the growth and profitability of your organization.
As such, we are committed to minimizing the disruption to your team's daily schedule, as we do not require any onsite visits for the engagement.
We conduct 95% of the effort on the project, while working independently within a flexible framework and schedule that fits within the needs of your team members.
Phase I: Appraisal [2 Weeks]
- Collect Contracts for Review
- Perform Analysis & Quantify Cost Savings
- Complete & Deliver Appraisal
Phase II: Roadmap [2 Weeks]
- Review Appraisal and Discuss Options
- Create Vendor Strategy Roadmap
- Establish Milestones and Resources
Phase III: Negotiation [TBD]
- Receive Authorization to Begin Negotiations
- Submit Proposals to Vendors
- Complete the Negotiation Process
- Execute Renewal Contract(s)
