Using the competitive landscape as leverage, especially considering you are evaluating multiple suppliers, can significantly strengthen your negotiating position. Present a competing quote, emphasizing that while you prefer Data Theorem's offerings, finance ties decisions to cost. Make sure to detail what's on the table from the alternative supplier.
If you're planning to add significant volumes of users or expanded functionalities, communicate this to leverage economies of scale for negotiations. Anchor that with increased user numbers comes the expectation of reduced unit pricing, which will aid in your negotiation.
Emphasize the necessity of flexibility in your contract by removing auto-renewal clauses. This is especially crucial for maintaining negotiation power in future dealings and can often yield better pricing or terms in your current agreement.
Hold firm against any proposed uplift in costs due to your continuous use. It is justified given the existing contract terms and the nature of your usage. Position this as a requirement for moving forward with renewal discussions.
Offer to serve as a reference or participate in a case study as a bargaining chip. This can be particularly compelling for Data Theorem, as they may value proven customer success stories to showcase their services.