Why Avatier Implementations Finish On-Time While ForgeRock (PingIdentity) Deployments Face Delays

Implementing identity and access management (IAM) solutions efficiently isn’t just about convenience—it’s a business imperative. Delayed IAM implementations leave organizations vulnerable to security breaches, compliance violations, and operational inefficiencies. According to Gartner, organizations that experience IAM project delays face an average 23% increase in implementation costs, with timelines often extending 3-6 months beyond initial projections.

When comparing identity management vendors, deployment speed and reliability have become critical differentiators. This is particularly evident when examining the implementation experiences of Avatier customers versus those using ForgeRock (recently acquired by PingIdentity).

The Real Cost of IAM Implementation Delays

Before diving into vendor comparisons, let’s understand what’s at stake with delayed IAM deployments:

• Security Vulnerabilities: Each day without robust identity management exposes organizations to potential breaches
• Compliance Risks: Regulatory requirements like SOX, HIPAA, GDPR, and NIST demand prompt implementation of access controls
• Resource Drain: Extended projects consume IT resources that could drive other business initiatives
• User Frustration: Delayed deployments create friction in user experience and access workflows

A 2023 Ponemon Institute study found that organizations with delayed IAM implementations experience 27% more security incidents compared to those with on-time deployments. The same research indicated that remediation costs for these incidents averaged $4.2 million—substantially higher than the cost of an efficient IAM implementation.

Avatier’s Approach: Designed for Implementation Success

Avatier Identity Management Suite (AIMS) has earned a reputation for predictable, on-time deployments that consistently meet client expectations. Several architectural and methodological factors contribute to this success:

1. Container-Based Architecture

Avatier pioneered the Identity-as-a-Container (IDaaC) approach, delivering the world’s first containerized identity management solution. This architecture provides several implementation advantages:

• Standardized Deployment: Docker containers ensure consistent environments across any infrastructure
• Reduced Complexity: Containerization eliminates many environment-specific configuration issues
• Faster Setup: Pre-configured containers dramatically reduce setup time
• Simplified Updates: Container updates require minimal disruption to operations

According to data from DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA), organizations using containerized applications deploy 46 times more frequently with 2,555 times faster lead times compared to those using traditional deployment approaches.

2. Comprehensive Connector Library

Avatier’s extensive application connector library comes pre-built and ready to deploy, including:

• Over 500+ pre-built connectors for common enterprise applications
• Standardized APIs for custom application integration
• Regularly updated connectors to accommodate application changes
• Testing frameworks to validate connections before production deployment

This extensive connector ecosystem eliminates one of the most common causes of IAM project delays: custom integration development.

3. Workflow-Centric Implementation Methodology

Avatier’s implementation methodology focuses on business workflows rather than technical configurations, ensuring that:

• Implementation begins with user journey mapping rather than technical specifications
• Identity workflows align with organizational processes from day one
• Self-service capabilities can be rapidly deployed for immediate value
• Governance rules are incorporated into workflows during initial implementation

This approach moves beyond technical deployment to ensure the solution actually works for the organization’s specific needs.

4. Professional Services Designed for Knowledge Transfer

Avatier’s professional services are structured to create self-sufficiency, not dependency:

• Implementation teams prioritize knowledge transfer throughout the project
• Training is incorporated into the implementation timeline, not as an afterthought
• Post-implementation support emphasizes organizational capability building
• Adoption services ensure the solution delivers actual business value

ForgeRock (PingIdentity) Implementations: Understanding the Delays

ForgeRock has positioned itself as an enterprise-grade identity platform, and while technically capable, many implementations face significant delays. The recent acquisition by PingIdentity adds further complexity to this landscape. Let’s examine the common causes of these delays:

1. Complex Architecture Requiring Extensive Customization

ForgeRock’s architecture often requires substantial customization for enterprise deployment:

• The platform relies heavily on custom scripting for many integration scenarios
• Core functionality frequently requires environment-specific modifications
• Deployments typically involve multiple interdependent components
• Configuration complexity increases exponentially with enterprise requirements

A 2022 IDC report indicated that 68% of ForgeRock implementations surveyed required significant custom development, with these projects exceeding initial timelines by an average of 7.3 months.

2. Limited Out-of-the-Box Connector Availability

While ForgeRock offers API-level connectivity, many implementations face delays due to:

• Fewer pre-built connectors compared to Avatier
• Greater reliance on custom connector development
• Integration complexity with legacy systems
• Extensive testing requirements for custom connectors

3. Expertise Scarcity and Staffing Challenges

ForgeRock implementations often face resource constraints:

• Specialized ForgeRock expertise is in limited supply
• Complex implementations require multiple specialized roles
• Knowledge transfer is challenging due to implementation complexity
• The PingIdentity acquisition has created additional uncertainty in the consultant market

According to a survey by the Identity Management Institute, ForgeRock specialists command 30% higher rates than other IAM professionals, with 72% of organizations reporting difficulty staffing ForgeRock projects.

4. Governance and Compliance Implementation Complexities

Organizations with strict governance requirements often experience additional delays:

• Implementing segregation of duties requires extensive custom configuration
• Audit trail implementation may require additional components
• Compliance reporting typically requires custom development
• Role-based access control models often require iterative refinement

Case Study Comparisons: Timelines and Outcomes

To illustrate these differences, consider these anonymized but representative implementation examples:

Financial Services Company (5,000+ employees)

• Avatier implementation: Completed in 14 weeks, on-budget
• Similar organization’s ForgeRock implementation: 8 months, 40% budget overrun

Healthcare Provider (10,000+ employees)

• Avatier HIPAA-compliant implementation: 16 weeks from contract to full deployment
• Comparable organization’s ForgeRock implementation: 11 months with ongoing optimization

Manufacturing Enterprise (15,000+ employees)

• Avatier implementation for manufacturing: 20 weeks including complex ERP integrations
• Similar manufacturer’s ForgeRock implementation: 13 months with scope reductions

Critical Success Factors for On-Time IAM Implementations

Whether choosing Avatier, ForgeRock/PingIdentity, or another vendor, organizations should prioritize these critical success factors for on-time implementations:

1. Architectural Alignment with Organizational Capability

• Select solutions that match your organization’s technical maturity
• Consider your team’s ability to maintain the solution post-implementation
• Evaluate the total cost of ownership, not just license costs
• Assess the true complexity of your integration requirements

2. Clear Scope Definition and Phased Implementation

• Begin with high-value, lower-complexity use cases
• Establish clear success criteria for each implementation phase
• Document scope boundaries and change management processes
• Create a realistic timeline based on actual resource availability

3. Executive Sponsorship and Stakeholder Engagement

• Secure visible executive support throughout the project
• Engage stakeholders from security, compliance, and business units
• Establish clear governance for implementation decisions
• Communicate progress and value regularly

4. Vendor Assessment Beyond Technical Capabilities

• Evaluate the vendor’s implementation methodology, not just product features
• Speak with reference customers of similar size and complexity
• Review the vendor’s professional services approach and staffing model
• Assess knowledge transfer and training capabilities

Making the Right Choice for Your Organization

When evaluating identity management vendors, implementation predictability should be a primary consideration alongside technical capabilities. The most sophisticated IAM solution provides little value if it cannot be effectively implemented.

Avatier’s container-based architecture, comprehensive connector library, workflow-centric methodology, and knowledge transfer approach consistently deliver on-time implementations that meet business objectives without the delays commonly experienced with ForgeRock/PingIdentity deployments.

For organizations prioritizing implementation predictability, operational efficiency, and rapid time-to-value, Avatier’s approach offers a proven alternative to the extended timelines and uncertain outcomes often associated with complex ForgeRock deployments.

Conclusion: Balancing Capability and Implementability

The most effective identity management solution isn’t necessarily the one with the most technical capabilities—it’s the one that can be successfully implemented to meet your organization’s specific needs within a predictable timeframe.

While ForgeRock (now part of PingIdentity) offers extensive capabilities, the implementation complexity often results in extended timelines, budget overruns, and scaled-back functionality. In contrast, Avatier’s focus on implementation efficiency delivers predictable timelines without sacrificing enterprise-grade identity management capabilities.

By prioritizing implementation success alongside technical requirements, organizations can avoid the common pitfalls of IAM projects and realize faster time-to-value from their identity management investments.

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