Vendor Due Diligence
Don't bet your digital transformation on the wrong partner. Expert technical due diligence that protects your investment.
Vendors Evaluated
237
Bad Vendors Avoided
41%
Avg Assessment Time
48 hrs
One Bad Vendor Can Derail Your Entire Digital Strategy
You're not technical. They know it. Their proposal looks great, references check out, and the price is right. But 6 months later, you're explaining to the board why the project failed.
The expensive mistakes we prevent:
- Vendors who can't scale beyond the demo
- Hidden dependencies and vendor lock-in
- Security vulnerabilities that risk your data
- Bait-and-switch with junior resources
- IP ownership disputes after delivery
41% of enterprise software projects fail due to vendor-related issues
Red Flags We Look For
Technical Capability
- •Portfolio doesn't match your needs
- •No similar industry experience
- •Outdated technology stack
- •No senior engineers available
Delivery Risk
- •No clear development process
- •Poor communication history
- •Unclear project ownership
- •No established SLAs
Financial Health
- •Cash flow problems
- •High client concentration
- •Recent layoffs or turnover
- •Litigation history
Security & Compliance
- •No security certifications
- •Data handling concerns
- •Weak IP protection
- •No cyber insurance
What Proper Due Diligence Delivers
Make vendor decisions with the same confidence as your technical peers
Technical Validation
Know their actual capabilities, not just what the sales team promises.
Fair Pricing
Understand what you're really paying for and avoid hidden costs.
Board-Ready Reports
Clear, executive-friendly documentation that justifies your decision.
Comprehensive Vendor Assessment in 48 Hours
Fast, thorough, and designed for non-technical executives
Hour 0-12: Discovery
- • Review vendor proposals and materials
- • Technical architecture assessment
- • Public records and reputation check
- • Initial red flag identification
Hour 12-24: Deep Dive
- • Code repository analysis (if available)
- • Team capability verification
- • Reference checks with technical contacts
- • Security and compliance audit
Hour 24-36: Analysis
- • Risk scoring and categorization
- • Cost-benefit analysis
- • Alternative vendor comparison
- • Negotiation leverage points
Hour 36-48: Delivery
- • Executive summary and recommendation
- • Detailed technical assessment
- • Risk mitigation strategies
- • Decision support presentation
Our Evaluation Framework
Everything You Need to Make the Right Decision
Executive Summary
1-page overview with clear go/no-go recommendation
- • Key findings and risks
- • Financial implications
- • Decision rationale
Risk Assessment
Comprehensive risk matrix with mitigation strategies
- • Technical risks scored 1-10
- • Business impact analysis
- • Mitigation recommendations
Technical Deep Dive
Detailed technical analysis for your IT team
- • Architecture assessment
- • Security evaluation
- • Integration complexity
Contract Guidance
Key terms and negotiation points
- • SLA recommendations
- • IP protection clauses
- • Exit strategy provisions
Due Diligence That Pays for Itself
“Drexus saved us from a $2M mistake. The vendor looked perfect on paper, but their assessment uncovered critical security flaws and a history of abandoned projects.”
“As a non-technical executive, I finally had the confidence to push back on vendor claims. Their report gave me the ammunition to negotiate 40% off the initial quote.”
Case Study: $5M ERP Implementation
Initial Choice
Lowest bidder with impressive demos
Hidden risks: No enterprise experience
Our Assessment
48-hour deep dive revealed 14 red flags
Recommended: Different vendor
Result
On-time delivery with new vendor
Saved: $1.8M in overruns
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes software vendor evaluation different?
Software vendors require deep technical assessment beyond typical procurement. You need to evaluate their actual code quality, security practices, scalability approach, and ability to integrate with your systems. Traditional RFPs miss these critical factors.
How long does proper due diligence take?
Our accelerated process delivers comprehensive results in 48-72 hours. Traditional approaches take 4-6 weeks and often miss technical red flags. We know what to look for and where to find it quickly.
What if we've already selected a vendor?
Pre-contract validation is valuable. We can assess their proposal, validate their claims, and identify risks before you sign. If issues arise, you'll have leverage to negotiate better terms or walk away.
Do you evaluate offshore vendors?
Yes, with specific expertise in cross-border risks. We assess communication protocols, time zone coverage, IP protection, quality standards, and have on-ground contacts in major offshore markets.
Don't Bet Your Career on Vendor Promises
Get unbiased technical validation before you sign. Our Vendor Diligence Scorecard gives you a quick risk assessment.
Free scorecard • Full assessment in 48 hours