We all know that friend who just has to name-drop every person they’ve ever met—no matter how forced it sounds. A lot of our competitors do the same, but you know us; we’re not in the business of naming names. We operate with a strict code of silence, a kind of Omertà for our clients’ identities. It’s not about hiding what we achieve together; it’s about protecting who we’re achieving it for. Our clients trust us not to give vendors any extra leverage by revealing their names. We don’t break that code as our client’s confidentiality remains of upmost importance.
Why keep things anonymous? We’ve seen firsthand how software vendors use public information to gain leverage, and our approach is simple: don’t give them extra ammo. Public name-dropping? Cringe, as Gen Z says. The last thing our clients need is to end up on a vendor’s radar. In this post, we’ll walk through why we keep client identities private, how this helps clients avoid vendor retaliation, and why we don’t need to name-drop to prove our worth.
How Staying Under the Radar Protects You
Here’s the thing: Vendors like Oracle will use any information they can get to squeeze more out of clients to boost their bottom line. In one memorable case, our client—a major power company—put a large infrastructure project out to bid, and Oracle lost to Dell. But Oracle, unwilling to let go, tried to win them back by leveraging costly licensing fees to make Dell look like the more expensive option.
In a last-ditch effort, Oracle hoped the threat of extra fees would rekindle the “relationship.” Enter LicenseFortress. Not only are we a powerhouse in negotiation, but we’re also expert technologists. The customer saved $2.4 million upfront in additional Oracle licenses and another $2.8 million in potential back-license fees for Oracle Partitioning and Active Data Guard and a reimbursement for Oracle Spatial and Graph functionalities. In short, we turned what could have been a costly heartbreak into a win-win for our client, proving they could have the “one” they wanted without Oracle’s strings attached.
Come Take A Ride on the Audit Carousel
Some might wonder, “If your ArxPlatform customers are always monitored and in compliance, why keep their names anonymous?” Here’s the answer: even with constant monitoring, audits are still a resource drain—not just for us but for the customers being audited. While LicenseFortress handles the brunt of the work, audits still disrupt daily operations, and we’re dedicated to minimizing that impact.
Many other firms offer one-time audit defense engagements, and once the job is done, they promote the client relationship publicly. Fast forward a few years, and that client often finds themselves under audit again. We speculate this can be for a variety of reasons—some more nefarious than others:
Lack of expertise leaves you exposed
When an audit defense firm lacks the necessary expertise to protect you fully, the vendor may see this as an opportunity. If the defense firm fails to push back effectively, the vendor could identify this gap as a weak spot, realizing they’re more likely to succeed in an audit without facing significant resistance. This makes clients of such firms attractive targets for future audits, as the vendor anticipates an easy path to uncover compliance issues and generate additional revenue.
They’re a partner of the software vendor
When the audit defense firm aligns itself closely with the software vendor’s policies instead of enforceable contract terms, it signals to the vendor that their interests are mutually beneficial. This relationship can lead vendors to view these clients as low-risk, high-reward targets for audits, expecting that the firm will follow along with vendor-friendly policies. As a result, the vendor sees recurring audit opportunities as a way to enforce and monetize non-contractual policies, knowing the firm may not push back hard enough to challenge these claims.
They’re in cahoots with the software vendor
Consultants who previously worked for software vendors may maintain close personal or professional connections within those organizations. This network can create a feedback loop that benefits both parties: vendors use these relationships to initiate audits as a steady revenue source, while the consultants secure repeat business by positioning themselves as ‘defenders’ against these audits. As a result, vendors often see these clients as reliable sources for compliance fees, with limited resistance.
What does this create? A win-win cycle for the consultant and the software vendor—but certainly not for you.
At LicenseFortress, we do things differently. Our model relies on ongoing monitoring and proactive protection, ensuring your compliance stays solid and shields you from recurring audits. So if you’re ready to step off the audit carousel, partner with a team that genuinely has your back—not one that keeps you in the cycle.
When LicenseFortress Shows Up, Vendors Pay Attention
When you bring us in, you’re calling in the “big guns.” Our team doesn’t need flashy introductions or loud announcements—our presence alone sends a clear message to vendors: it’s time to play fair. With our deep expertise in software licensing and our legal partnership with Beeman & Muchmore, LLP, we know every angle, every loophole, and every hidden fee vendors might try to leverage.
Vendors quickly recognize that when LicenseFortress is at the table, there’s no room for the usual games. We’re here to protect your investment, enforce your contractual rights, and secure the best possible outcomes—no surprises, no gotchas. By backing you with the knowledge and confidence vendors respect, we make sure you get the value you deserve without any hidden costs or complications.
Our Approach: Negotiating Tough, Building Stronger Relationships
But let’s be clear: not every vendor relationship is adversarial. In fact, we often help restore trust and maintain positive relationships with vendors, working to get fair terms without unnecessary drama. We’re here to advocate for what you’re worth, and we’re not afraid to play hardball when needed.
But if a vendor relationship can stay healthy, we make that our goal too. We use a respectful negotiation strategy that balances firm persuasion with unshakable confidence. While we’re not strong-arming anyone, we leverage our deep understanding of contractual rights to create the kind of leverage that gets results.
In other words, we know when to push, when to negotiate, and when to smooth things over to keep the relationship running smoothly. By combining respect with strength, we protect your best interests and keep vendor relationships as positive as possible. After all, good business isn’t about constant conflict—it’s about building partnerships that work for everyone.
Anonymous Testimonials: Real Client Satisfaction Without the Spotlight
We’re proud of our 82.9% Net Promoter Score (NPS) from ClearlyRated, a reflection of our commitment to client satisfaction amid an increasingly complex licensing landscape. As highlighted in our latest press release, this score places us among the top-rated providers in our field, even as we help clients navigate challenging Java and Broadcom licensing changes.
One client recently shared, “LicenseFortress goes beyond just solving problems; they’ve been proactive in helping us avoid issues we didn’t even know to look out for.” This level of trust is what drives us.
Need Big-Name Reassurance? Let’s Chat—Under NDA
Sometimes, you need that personal reassurance from a fellow client. We get it. In a world full of flashy claims, real conversations matter. That’s why, if direct feedback is what it takes, we’ll gladly arrange a call under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This way, you can hear honest, unfiltered insights from clients who’ve been in your shoes—without putting anyone’s confidentiality on the line.
So, if you were hoping for a “Who’s Who” scroll of our clients… sorry, that’s not us. We’re not in the business of turning clients into headlines for a little extra buzz. Instead, we’re here to protect your name, reputation, and relationship with us from the start.
Contact us to arrange an NDA, and let’s begin securing your compliance and protecting your interests from day one.
