IT procurement strategies are not what they used to be—they’re far more complex. As organizations shift their focus from mere cost savings and look for technology investments that are all-in-one, things are changing. From IT services to new hardware to AI-powered software, here are some of the procurement trends to consider as your company seeks to stay secure.
2025 Spotlight: IT Procurement Trends and Services
Traditionally, the IT procurement process was about acquiring hardware and software at the lowest costs possible. Today's IT ecosystems are more sophisticated, requiring solutions that are more interconnected and scalable.
Procurement teams must navigate a maze of cloud services, cybersecurity concerns, and competing technologies while trying to align their strategies with broader business objectives. Let’s look at these procurement trends in more detail.
1. AI-Assisted Procurement Processes
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an important procurement trend. It supports companies’ AI procurement by automating repetitive tasks such as comparing vendors, projecting future needs, and analyzing contracts. For example, a large enterprise upgrading its cloud infrastructure could use a generative AI system to evaluate providers based on performance metrics and pricing. This system might identify significant savings opportunities and empower teams to make faster, more data-driven decisions.
2. A Cloud-First IT Procurement Strategy
Cloud-based systems remain one of the biggest aspects of IT that are here to stay. With an estimated 85% of companies adopting a cloud-first approach by 2025, cloud solutions offer IT flexibility and cost-efficiency. Some impacts include:
- An increase in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscriptions as opposed to traditional licenses
- An emphasis on flexible and scalable IT contracts
- Growing demand for procurement professionals who can negotiate and implement cloud agreements
Cloud IT procurement is highly scalable compared to on-premises due to its real-time capabilities and in-house cost savings. These systems also enable greater networking, storage, and database solutions.
3. Sustainability and ESG Considerations
Sustainability isn’t just a procurement trend; it’s an operational mainstay. As organizations prioritize sustainability and more ethical practices, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a major consideration in IT procurement. Regulatory changes require companies to reduce operational resources and energy, which can lead IT departments to adopt hardware and software alternatives.
Companies can focus on sustainability during IT procurement in a few ways:
- Opt for energy-efficient data storage and hardware
- Consider company e-waste management and recycling programs
- Evaluate vendors’ ESG practices
- Adopt more renewable energy sources for data centers
In IT, sustainable efforts not only reduce a company’s environmental impact but also encourage continuous innovation. It can potentially save costs long-term, making it a more affordable and competitive advantage in procurement.
4. Cybersecurity in Procurement
In July of 2024, 8.5 million Microsoft devices were affected by a cybersecurity failure. This showed the world how vulnerable a large-scale digital infrastructure can be when IT unexpectedly fails. Cybersecurity will be a major consideration (and procurement trend) in 2025 as trends evolve—some of which include:
- In-depth security assessments of potential IT vendors and products
- More collaboration between cybersecurity teams and IT departments
- New security requirements across procurement contracts
That said, on-premises IT options are generally considered to be more secure than cloud. If your company needs a custom on-premises solution, it’s important to work with a trusted provider.
5. Agile Procurement Methods
Companies now use more agile procurement sourcing to keep up with rapid technology advancements and ever-changing security protocols. These methods of procurement can involve:
- Custom contracts that adapt to a company’s unique operational and IT demands
- Faster procurement cycles for tech-specific innovations
- More partnerships between procurement departments and vendors
This non-traditional, tailored approach enables organizations to efficiently adopt emerging technologies amidst market changes. Agile procurement methods can position your company to scale and meet customer demands more effectively in digital-centered environments.
6. Cost-Savings in an IT Procurement Strategy
Cost savings itself isn’t necessarily a procurement trend—instead, it’s how it's done. With volatile economic landscapes and geopolitical stress at the start of 2025, cost management is non-negotiable for IT procurement teams. Companies are switching to more practical and multi-purpose solutions for cost reduction, including consolidating vendors and taking the total cost of ownership (TCO) approach.
As mentioned, AI is a big player in technology procurement this year. Fidelity, for instance, reduced costs by 20% using AI-supported sourcing technology, proving it a useful strategy that can enable corporate giants to optimize procurement while reaping the most value.
7. Innovation in Tech and Sourcing
Emerging sourcing options are reshaping how organizations acquire technology. Blockchain technology provides new levels of transaction transparency and security. Collaborative ecosystems also let organizations share sensitive resources and expertise, breaking down procurement silos.
Strengthen Your IT Procurement Strategy for 2025
To stay on top of the latest IT procurement services, strategies, and trends, companies need to prepare now.
- Invest in training and upskilling IT teams to focus on data analytics, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity.
- Adopt a flexible procurement process that adapts to changing technologies and business needs.
- Stay informed about emerging solutions and the potential of IT procurement strategies for your business.
At Meridian, we provide strategic IT procurement services. We leverage industry expertise and partnerships to ensure your IT procurement strategy is future-ready and aligned with your business goals.
Looking into 2025 and beyond, it's clear that IT procurement will continue to play a crucial role in organizational success. By staying ahead of IT procurement trends and adopting proactive strategies, you can turn your company’s IT procurement process into a true competitive advantage.
To adopt the optimal IT procurement solution for your organization, contact Meridian today for a consultation.