Emphasize the need to remove automatic renewal clauses for your upcoming purchase. This gives you leverage in negotiating better terms and ensures you have the flexibility to evaluate options each year. Stress the importance of avoiding automatic renewals, particularly with a new supplier.

Present competition and alternatives to drive down pricing. Inform the supplier that you are looking at similar products from competitors that may offer better pricing or features. This tactic is effective when suppliers know you have options, which can push them to provide more competitive pricing.

Offer participation in a reference or case study as a negotiation tool. This can be valuable to the supplier as they seek to showcase success stories. If positioned correctly, this could result in better pricing or terms in return for your involvement.

Propose a shorter-term commitment as a means to assess the software's effectiveness and ROI. This reduces your risk and provides you an opportunity to renegotiate terms after a year based on workout performance. Highlight that this is a standard practice for new vendors, especially when the software's potential is still being evaluated.

Discuss overage fees that could be incurred during usage and request that these fees be waived or greatly reduced, particularly if usage is projected to increase. Highlight that as a new customer, discounts on overages should be considered to make the service more attractive.