Technology

We support clients on the development and negotiation of contracts in the Technology sector including ‘pure tech’, infrastructure and telecommunications. This includes traditional technology based arrangements (licensing, consultancy, support and maintenance and hardware/software purchasing) as well as developing bespoke contracts for new technology (i.e. AI; Drone management software; blockchain solutions).

We are experts in advising on major ‘change’ programmes involving the procurement or replacement of major technology assets and software. Typically we support clients through the lifecycle of their major change programmes supporting on aspects including business case assessment; ITT processes; bidder down selection; contractual arrangements and negotiation; termination of legacy solutions; internal communications with the business on new technology and ongoing support with contractual governance)

Whether you are looking to provide certainty and comfort for customers by offering support and service level commitments or seeking security (as a customer) that a solution will work to the standards promised – we can assist in helping to develop or negotiate simple, measurable and meaningful support and service level regimes. Too often these can be too complicated and end up being either overly burdensome to manage or meaningless as the solution becomes more mature. We can help develop clear and agile regimes to support the technology solution.

Over the last ten years, there has been a clear shift from traditional licence based deployment of software/solutions to more flexible cloud based offerings. This has significantly impacted the way in which businesses contract for technology solutions and placed more of a focus on data, data access, arrangements on exit/transfer to future providers and security. We have worked with both major cloud providers and customers of cloud based solutions in navigating through the typical (and untypical!) issues that arise when providing or consuming cloud based services.

Although traditional licensing has in many cases been replaced by the move to cloud based services there is still a place for the traditional licensing model. In particular we often support businesses looking to provide intra group licensing arrangement as part of a re-structure. We also often provide support for businesses as they license other entities in the supply chain or appoint reseller or distributors for their solutions.

We support customers who are simply looking to incorporate ready-made solutions into their technology estate (i.e. specific billing functions or new technology that will provide better efficiency or cost saving). We can help identify any unusual or onerous terms and help you negotiate a more reasonable and balanced position.

As m and e-commerce sales figures continue to rise year on year we can support your business develop terms that both protect your position when dealing with consumers and business customers online while ensuring that the ‘legals’ do not have a detrimental effect on the user experience. We have worked with companies throughout various sectors in developing legal terms that complement the digitised user journey to ensure that the legals do not become a barrier to the customer experience.

With digital fraud and cybercrime increasing year on year, keeping digital assets and data secure is always a key consideration for any business not only to prevent financial and property loss but also to maintain trust in the marketplace. Together with our Data, Privacy and Information Security team, we work with our clients to help minimise the threat and impact of cyber fraud/theft by focusing on contractual protections with third party contractors (to minimise the threat of fraudsters using your contractors as a gateway to your business assets); data breach response processes; best practice solutions; as well as operational policies and procedures.

With advent of greater interconnectivity of devices, autonomous vehicles, smart sensors and IoT a greater strain is placed upon the telecommunication and physical infrastructure that sits behind digital innovation. We are experienced in supporting both businesses and operators in procuring, maintaining and deploying digital infrastructure within their organisations or for the benefit of their customers to support the growth of new technology.

Blockchain, NFTs, Web 3.0 and the metaverse are some of the most critical, game-changing developments in tech. Businesses that want to get ahead of these developments and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly crowded market need to be in-the-know and have an eye on the ever-changing market at all times.