Why enterprise software is becoming harder – not easier – to buy
IT leaders are drowning in AI add-ons and consumption pricing. Here's what's actually changing about software procurement.
Why it matters
Enterprise software buying is fracturing under AI complexity — consumption models, overlapping capabilities, and unclear licensing are forcing IT teams to rethink evaluation frameworks and risk assessment.
The key facts
10 to knowAI add-ons fragmenting software vendor strategies
Consumption-based pricing models complicating budget forecasting
Overlapping tool sets requiring new vendor consolidation workflows
Complex licensing terms increasing procurement friction
IT leaders forced to rethink software evaluation criteria
AI add-ons are changing software licensing models
Consumption pricing is complicating budget predictability
Overlapping tools are fragmenting the vendor landscape
IT leaders must rethink value and risk evaluation
Published Sep 2026 — suggests procurement is a current friction point
Go to the source
ITProitpro.com
Publisher excerpt: AI add-ons, consumption pricing, overlapping tools, and complex licensing are making software procurement increasingly difficult. This is forcing IT leaders to rethink how they evaluate value and risk