Vendor Relations
Our members decide on which themes we are active. We are working on a balanced relationship between customer and supplier.
Vendor Relations - page 2
Suppliers of digital technologies are crucial partners for our members. This relationship however has some room for improvement. Their technological knowledge provided them with an advantage vis-à-vis the user. Yet, developments in the area of technology and marketisation in the last decennia, and the characteristics that these digital markets appear to contain, have a downside. They cause such behaviour that a re-evaluation is necessary.
To achieve that, we do the following:
- Help each other to improve the process of procurement, implementation, administration and maintenance of software assets, by sharing knowledge and experiences. Transparency in doing so, where opportunities lie, and best practices, is crucial in order to properly fulfil the user's own responsibility.
- Continue to draw the attention of the Dutch and European administrative and political leaderhip to the fact that the policy framework concerning market forces should be more aligned with the practice of digital technology markets. The manner in which powerful actors can operate their market power towards their customers, should be subject to supervision and the opportunity to intervene.
In a rapidly changing technology landscape, where cloud demands an ever greater role, it is important to maintain good relations with the supply side. More balance in the rights and obligations of both client and supplier is essential for further development of this relationship.
Vendor relations events
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CEG Vendor Relations & Architecture | IT sovereignty – where do you start? | Dutch Government's Strategic Cloud Vendor Management | Utrecht UtrechtVendor managers, Category buyers, Service managers, Contract managers and License specialists participate in this Knowledge Group (CEG) meetings. This CEG shares knowledge and experience on various current topics: major vendors, contracts, licenses, audits, GDPR, DPIAs, exit, Cloud etc.
06 Oct
Vendor-related articles
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September 14, 2026
A fair cloud market requires a sense of responsibility | 11 Fair Principles
Cloud computing has delivered significant benefits, but it has also fundamentally changed the relationship between customers and suppliers. Organizations that rely on cloud platforms become dependent on providers for system availability, security configurations, and the processing of personal data. This requires a strong sense of responsibility from both parties. Without it, situations can arise where customers are left wondering whether their provider is complying with the law, or even whether their organization is exposed to security risks.
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July 23, 2026
Digital Autonomy Is a Design Question
Digital autonomy is often presented in discussions—including on this platform—as a strategic objective. The conversation typically revolves around sovereignty, dependence on hyperscalers, or the extent to which an organization still maintains control over its data and infrastructure. At the same time, organizations tend to discuss these themes primarily in strategic terms. The translation into concrete architectural decisions and design criteria for execution often lags behind.
