For higher education Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) initiatives, consortium agreements aren’t just convenient; they’re strategic, helping institutions capture every benefit and avoid leaving value on the table.
Consortiums exist for a reason: strength in numbers. When institutions band together, they gain more than just camaraderie—they gain real buying power. By negotiating shared agreements, consortiums are able to secure pre-vetted vendors, favorable terms, and fixed pricing that individual institutions could rarely achieve on their own.
And yet, time and again, we hear stories where members go outside their consortium agreements—often without even realizing the full benefits they’re missing. Some didn’t know the agreement existed. Others weren’t aware of the locked-in pricing. A few simply didn’t trust the process and decided to start fresh with another RFP.
The result? Lost time, wasted money, and missed opportunities.
Benefits of Consortium Agreements for Procurement and IAM
When you leverage your consortium agreements, you get:
- Collective Buying Power – Pricing and terms negotiated on behalf of all members.
- Pre-Vetted Vendors – Partners chosen because they meet the unique needs of the community.
- Simplified Procurement – Reduced administrative burden without needing to run duplicative RFPs.
- Shared Knowledge – Learn from peer institutions that have already walked the path.
By stepping outside these agreements, institutions often take on longer procurement cycles, higher costs, and increased risk—exactly what the consortium was designed to avoid.
Why Institutions Overlook Consortium Agreements (and How to Fix It)
In many cases, the problem isn’t a conscious decision to bypass the consortium—it’s a communication gap. Procurement offices may not realize a contract exists. IT leaders may not know that favorable pricing has already been negotiated. Staff turnover can create blind spots.
That’s why raising awareness inside your institution is critical. Share the list of available consortium vendors. Remind decision-makers that pricing has already been secured. Encourage IT, procurement, and leadership to align on the benefits of consortium participation.
Why Consortium Agreements Work: Pre-Vetted Vendors and Proven Results
We understand that sometimes trust in the process wavers. Maybe past experiences with consortium-negotiated vendors weren’t ideal. But here’s the truth: consortiums are designed to advocate for their members. They choose vendors that have demonstrated success in the community, understand the industry’s unique challenges, and can deliver without costly customizations.
Take higher education as an example—complex environments, limited budgets, and constant demands for efficiency. Fischer Identity has been selected as a vendor of choice in multiple consortiums precisely because we’ve proven our ability to deliver IAM/IGA solutions that work for this space. We don’t just offer “off-the-shelf” products—we’ve spent over 20 years solving the most complex identity challenges without requiring custom code.
Leveraging Consortium Agreements for IAM Success in Higher Education
Consortium membership isn’t just a badge, it’s a resource. Institutions that leverage these agreements save money, time, and effort, and they strengthen the entire community by reinforcing the value of shared partnerships.
If your institution is part of a consortium, take advantage of it. Don’t leave value on the table. The agreement is already there, waiting to make your path easier.
And if you’re considering an IAM/IGA program, know this: Fischer Identity has been chosen as the trusted partner across multiple consortiums because we invest in product and customer experience—not flashy marketing. That’s why institutions keep turning to us, and why your consortium selected us as the vendor of choice.
