IBM's support strategy is focused on cloud and hybrid cloud adoption — not on the on-premise software enterprises still depend on daily. Legacy systems like Db2, WebSphere, MQ, and Tivoli get minimal attention. We deliver IBM support at 50–90% less cost, with 15-minute response SLAs and engineers who actually know the products.
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The Problem
IBM's strategy is to drive enterprise customers toward modern cloud-native solutions. The cost is simple: on-premise legacy software gets deprioritised, response times increase, and engineering attention evaporates. You're paying premium support prices for commodity service levels.
IBM bundles software you don't use into mandatory support contracts. You pay for cloud services, AI analytics, and hybrid-cloud tooling when you just need Db2 or WebSphere support on your own infrastructure.
IBM's support is tiered by severity, but response windows can stretch to hours or days even for critical production issues. Offshore first-level support follows scripts; escalation to engineers who know the product takes weeks.
IBM's engineering resources are diverted to cloud products. On-premise Db2, WebSphere, MQ, and middleware support is treated as legacy, not priority. You feel it in response quality and engineering capability.
IBM's acquisition strategy bundles multiple vendors together. You get consolidation pressure, combined contracts, and bundled pricing that masks the true cost of what you actually use.
IBM doesn't announce end-of-support dates until critical patches disappear. Systems like older Rational tools, Tivoli, and integration servers are left in limbo — still in production, but no longer getting real support.
IBM's support contracts have automatic annual increase clauses built in. Year over year, your costs grow even as the quality of service declines and your usage stays flat.
Coverage Comparison
Better support, lower cost, dedicated engineers. The difference is immediate.
| Coverage Area | IBM Support | GoVendorFree |
|---|---|---|
| Initial response SLA | 4–24 hours depending on severity | ✓ 15 minutes guaranteed |
| Named engineer | ✗ Shared ticket queue system | ✓ Dedicated named engineer |
| On-premise legacy software | Declining support quality | ✓ Full priority support indefinitely |
| Bundled cloud/modern products | ✗ Forced into contract | ✓ Pay only for what you use |
| Security patches | Cloud-first distribution | ✓ All supported versions covered |
| Custom code / integrations | Limited support scope | ✓ Full coverage included |
| Db2 + WebSphere + MQ support | Generic support model | ✓ Deep product expertise |
| Annual price increases | ✗ Automatic annual escalation | ✓ Predictable, fixed rates |
| Contract flexibility | ✗ Multi-year lock-in | ✓ Annual, exit anytime |
IBM Products We Support
Our engineers specialise in IBM's mission-critical on-premise software. We know these products better than IBM's tiered support model.
All versions from 9.x through latest. Database design, performance tuning, replication, high availability, disaster recovery, and integration with on-premise applications.
All versions including legacy 6.1 and 7.0. Java application deployment, performance, clustering, security, and middleware configuration.
MQ Series, MQ Explorer, MQ clusters, and message queue infrastructure. Integration Bus/App Connect systems and message throughput optimisation.
IIB and App Connect Enterprise. Message flows, connector development, API gateway, and integration middleware support.
Tivoli Monitoring, Tivoli Service Automation Manager, Tivoli Identity Manager. Systems management, IT operations, and identity/access control.
Rational Tools, ClearCase, ClearQuest, Sterling Supply Chain Visibility. Development tools, version control, and supply chain software.
The Transition Process
We manage the transition with zero disruption. Most clients complete it in 30–60 days.
We document all IBM software in your estate — every Db2 instance, every WebSphere server, every MQ cluster, every Tivoli system. This becomes your support baseline.
We design support coverage that matches your actual software usage, not IBM's bundled model. You get coverage for what you use, not what IBM forces into contracts.
We activate GoVendorFree support while IBM remains active. This parallel period (typically 30 days) validates our engineers and response times before cutover.
We guide you through proper IBM contract termination. Handle all required documentation. Zero risk of reinstatement fees or complications.
Client Results
Client identities protected by request. These results are documented and verifiable.
$1.2M IBM support contract covering Db2 clusters, WebSphere farms, and message infrastructure. Replaced with $300K GoVendorFree coverage. Immediate 15-minute response SLA replaced multi-hour IBM delays. Named engineers replaced ticket queues.
$1.5M annual IBM contract included cloud products, modern middleware, and legacy Integration Bus. GoVendorFree covered only actual usage (Integration Bus + Tivoli) for $195K. Saving $1.305M annually with better on-premise product expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
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