Introduce competition effectively by mentioning that other vendors have provided lower quotes for similar functionality. Doing so creates pressure on your current supplier to match those prices or offer additional value. It's critical to reiterate your preference for the incumbent while also stating that budget constraints dictate your options.
Address potential overage fees early in the renewal conversation. Reference the original agreement to understand existing terms and argue for waiving these fees in exchange for an early renewal or if you intend to increase usage, as this aligns with alternative growth strategies.
Emphasize the economies of scale by highlighting your requirement for additional users. By framing your negotiation around growth, you can leverage this to get lower rates on additional users, as suppliers typically prefer retaining existing customers over losing them.
If there are concerns regarding the product or ROI, leverage this by pushing for a shorter contract term. This strategy allows you to evaluate the product over the next few months and solidifies your position for negotiation during future renewals.
Emphasize the need to eliminate auto-renewal clauses as part of your negotiation process. Justify this requirement as a strategy dictated by your finance team to maintain flexibility and avoid unforeseen cost increases in the future.