Helping With AI Technology Selection
Through the structured approach of needs assessment, consensus building, formal RFP management, vendor selection framework, and AI contract negotiations.
Problems Companies Face
When They Need Help With AI Technology Selection
Companies turn to ElevatIQ when they lack AI pricing and licensing expertise. When they’re unsure about procurement decisions. When they fear vendor overcommitments or losing control of the project. With confusing demos and endless options, the process can feel overwhelming. ElevatIQ brings clarity, structure, and confidence to every step of the AI journey.
Limited Subject Matter Expertise with AI Pricing and Licensing
Vendors frequently change their pricing and licensing models. If you're not tracking vendor contract terms and updates regularly, you risk unexpected charges. Companies turn to ElevatIQ when they lack in-house expertise in navigating complex AI pricing and licensing structures.
Afraid of Failing Implementation Due to Vendors’ Overcommitment
Most AI vendors don’t involve their implementation teams during the sales process. As a result, sales reps—often lacking real-world implementation experience—unknowingly overpromise. This leads to hidden technical and financial risks that fall on you. ElevatIQ helps identify these overcommitments early—before they turn into costly surprises.
Unsure of the Changes Required with the As-Is State to Avoid Financial Risks
Existing processes and data structures often lead to project failures and unexpected costs. Aligning them with the target operating model reduces both technical and financial risks. Companies engage ElevatIQ when they’re unsure how to align their current operating model with the target state of the AI technologies they’re adopting.
Confused with Overlapping AI Technologies
Most AI vendors offer overlapping capabilities, making it difficult for customers—who often lack deep technical expertise—to distinguish meaningful differences. This uncertainty can erode confidence during the procurement process. Companies rely on ElevatIQ to bring clarity and confidence to their AI technology selection and contracting decisions.
Worried About the Superior Leverage of AI Technology Vendors
AI vendor sales reps are highly trained professionals, skilled in anticipating your negotiation tactics. Often, when it feels like you’ve won the deal, you may have actually conceded more than you realize—without even knowing it. ElevatIQ brings the same level of subject matter expertise to your side, ensuring a fair and informed outcome.
Internal Selection Process Feels Like Spinning Wheels with Limited Confidence
Companies often spend months—or even years—on internal selection efforts, yet still lack confidence in the outcome. While it may seem cost-effective on the surface, the real loss comes from missed opportunities and delayed decisions. Organizations typically turn to ElevatIQ after internal initiatives stall, seeking the clarity and momentum needed to move forward with confidence.
Want to learn more about why independent advisors have a higher success rate with AI initiatives?
Our Case Studies for
AI Technology Selection
ECommerce Supply Chain Transformation With ERP Selection
Download the eCommerce Supply Chain transformation case study and learn how LockNLube transformed its inventory and supply chain challenges by consolidating over 20 systems. As well as by creating business, process, information, and system architecture as they prepare for the next phase of their growth.
Omnichannel eCommerce Customer Experience Transformation
Download the omnichannel eCommerce customer experience case study and learn how fashion retailer AKIRA built a digital roadmap and managed stakeholder expectations to transform its processes and systems to explore newer business models such as buy-online-pickup-in-store and curbside pickup.
ERP Implementation Failure Recovery
Download the ERP implementation failure recovery failure case study and learn how Frederick Wildman struggled with Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP implementation failure even after spending over $5M and what options they had for recovery.
Our Methodology
for AI Technology Selection
The process begins with an assessment of current needs and a high-level validation of the target operating model. ElevatIQ facilitates strategic alignment through a series of workshops before launching a formal vendor selection process. Following demos, vendor briefings, and target operating model recalibration, teams make informed decisions using a structured selection framework based on agreed-upon critical success factors.
1 Assessment
In this brief data‑collection phase, we validate the approach and present multiple options, each with clear advantages, drawbacks, risks, and potential rewards.
3 RFP Development and Sourcing
This phase identifies the initial vendors and solutions to be reviewed, builds agreement on the critical success factors and decision framework, and briefs vendors on the core objectives of the project.
5 SOW and Contract Negotiations
This phase entails a detailed analysis of contract terms, assessing their impact on the target operating model and identifying potential financial risks. Teams receive briefings on each vendor’s discounting rationale and the concessions customers may be making for seemingly attractive offers. Based on these insights, a tailored negotiation strategy is developed to secure the best possible terms from each vendor.
2Alignment Workshops
These workshops cover multiple dimensions—reviewing current workflows, addressing key issues and assumptions, and training core teams on essential concepts. This equips them to anticipate adoption risks and make more informed strategic decisions.
4Vendor Demos and RFP Response Briefings
This phase involves a thorough review of vendor responses while refining initial assumptions and the operating model. It also delivers the necessary data and scripts to ensure both parties share a common understanding of the solution, enabling a fair and consistent comparison across all vendors and offerings.
6 Award of the Contract and Implementation Prep
This phase finalizes the contract through negotiations and aligns the target operating model with the data and process constraints of the newly procured systems. It also defines and organizes work items logically, aligning them with the RACI matrix to ensure a clear, coordinated plan of action for all parties involved.
Ready to learn how we can help With AI Technology Selection?
Our
Other Artificial Intelligence Consulting Services
AI-Enablement Strategy and Planning
Our AI Strategy and Planning begins with a deep assessment of your current challenges, followed by a rapid roadmap outlining multiple paths forward—whether through modernizing existing systems or adopting new technologies. Each option is supported by a detailed business case, highlighting its pros, cons, risks, and potential rewards.
AI-enabled Process and Data Transformation
This service supports clients facing specific process or data challenges and exploring whether AI could be the solution. It's also well-suited for organizations unsure if their issues stem from processes, technologies, or both. ElevatIQ helps define a comprehensive, AI-enabled target operating model that integrates all critical dimensions—agentic and human processes, data, and systems—needed to enable and sustain a successful AI-driven transformation.
AI Implementation and Change Management
This service supports the implementation of the target operating model by integrating key dimensions—including agentic and human business processes, data, and technologies. ElevatIQ works closely with end users and vendors to continuously recalibrate the model as assumptions shift and business context evolves.
AI Project Recoveries
This service focuses on recovering and rescuing struggling AI projects, including collaboration with technology lawyers for mediation, arbitration, or litigation support. Organizations without a clearly defined target operating model often face operational disruptions and challenges in controlling costs. ElevatIQ conducts a comprehensive assessment—reviewing implementation plans, requirement states, architectural documentation, testing strategies, migration and communication plans, and active contractual obligations—to develop a clear, actionable roadmap for getting the project back on track.
AI-native Cx and Operational Strategy
This service helps companies understand how their peers and competitors are leveraging AI to transform their Cx workflows and operations. It also clarifies how AI-native workflows and experiences differ from traditional, non-AI approaches. As part of the engagement, ElevatIQ develops a rapid roadmap outlining various options—each with a clear view of the pros, cons, risks, and potential rewards.
