The True Cost of SailPoint’s Slow Deployment vs Avatier’s Speed: Why Time to Value Matters

The speed at which you can implement your identity management solution isn’t just a matter of convenience—it’s a critical business factor with substantial financial implications. While SailPoint has built a reputation as a major player in the identity governance space, organizations are increasingly questioning whether lengthy implementation timelines are acceptable in an era where security threats evolve by the hour.

According to Gartner, the average enterprise identity management implementation takes 18-24 months to complete when using traditional solutions like SailPoint. In stark contrast, Avatier’s Identity Anywhere Lifecycle Management platform can be deployed in as little as weeks, not months or years. This dramatic difference in deployment speed creates a cascade of financial and security implications that many organizations fail to calculate when selecting an identity provider.

The Real Costs of Delayed Implementation

1. Extended Exposure to Security Vulnerabilities

Every day your organization operates without robust identity governance is another day of unnecessary risk exposure. With cybersecurity incidents costing businesses an average of $4.45 million per breach according to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the security implications of delayed implementation are significant.

SailPoint’s lengthy deployment cycle means:

• Longer periods operating with inadequate access controls
• Extended vulnerability to privilege escalation attacks
• Delayed ability to enforce least privilege principles
• Continued manual processes prone to human error

By contrast, Avatier’s rapid deployment dramatically shortens this window of vulnerability, providing essential identity protections weeks or months earlier than traditional solutions.

2. Quantifiable Implementation Costs

The direct costs of implementation create a substantial financial gap between SailPoint and Avatier deployments:

Cost Category	SailPoint (18-24 month implementation)	Avatier (2-3 month implementation)
IT Staff Time	$420,000-$560,000	$70,000-$105,000
Consulting Fees	$500,000-$1,200,000	$125,000-$300,000
Delayed Compliance	$85,000-$150,000	Minimal
Training Time	$50,000-$75,000	$25,000-$35,000

Note: Estimates based on typical enterprise implementation costs for a 5,000-employee organization

3. Opportunity Costs and Lost Productivity

Perhaps the most significant yet often overlooked expense is the opportunity cost of delayed implementation. SailPoint’s extended deployment timeline means:

• IT teams remain focused on implementation rather than innovation
• Security staff continue manual access reviews instead of strategic initiatives
• End-users struggle with inefficient access request processes
• Compliance teams manage paper-based audit processes

According to Forrester Research, organizations that implement streamlined identity management solutions see a 30% reduction in help desk calls and a 40% decrease in access-related delays. With SailPoint’s lengthy implementation, these benefits remain unrealized for up to two years longer than with Avatier.

Why SailPoint Deployments Take So Long

SailPoint’s extended implementation timeline stems from several factors inherent to their approach:

Complex Architecture Requirements

SailPoint’s traditional deployment model requires significant infrastructure setup, including:

• Multiple server environments
• Complex database configurations
• Extensive connector customization
• Custom workflow development

Resource-Intensive Implementation

A typical SailPoint deployment requires:

• Multiple specialized consultants
• Extensive professional services engagement
• Significant internal IT resources
• Extended testing and validation periods

Customization Overhead

SailPoint implementations typically involve:

• Custom development for unique business processes
• Integration complexities with existing systems
• Extensive policy configuration
• Complex role engineering

The Avatier Speed Advantage

Avatier’s Identity Management Architecture fundamentally reimagines how identity solutions are deployed, utilizing several key innovations that dramatically accelerate implementation:

1. Container-Based Deployment

Avatier pioneered the Identity-as-a-Container (IDaaC) approach, allowing organizations to deploy comprehensive identity management capabilities through Docker containers. This revolutionary approach means:

• No complex server infrastructure requirements
• Deployment in any cloud environment or on-premises
• Instant scalability
• Dramatically simplified updates

2. Pre-Built Connectors and Workflows

While SailPoint often requires extensive customization, Avatier delivers:

• Over 500 pre-built application connectors
• Out-of-the-box workflow templates for common processes
• Self-service capabilities ready on day one
• Standardized compliance reporting

Avatier’s comprehensive application connectors eliminate the need for extensive custom development, allowing organizations to connect to their critical applications without writing a single line of code.

3. Self-Service Implementation Tools

Avatier empowers internal teams with:

• Intuitive administration interfaces
• No-code workflow designers
• Visual integration builders
• Built-in training and guidance

4. AI-Assisted Configuration

Leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate implementation, Avatier provides:

• Automated role recommendations
• Intelligent access policy suggestions
• Anomaly detection during setup
• Guided configuration assistance

The Business Impact: Beyond Cost Savings

The speed difference between SailPoint and Avatier implementations delivers benefits that extend far beyond direct cost savings:

1. Faster Time to Compliance

With regulations like GDPR imposing fines of up to 4% of global revenue for non-compliance, accelerated identity governance implementation directly impacts regulatory risk. Avatier’s rapid deployment model enables organizations to achieve compliance with frameworks like:

• SOX 404
• HIPAA/HITECH
• FISMA/FIPS 200
• NIST 800-53
• FERPA
• NERC CIP

Organizations in regulated industries can leverage Avatier’s compliance-ready solutions to achieve certification months earlier than with SailPoint alternatives.

2. Enhanced Security Posture

The security benefits of rapid implementation are substantial:

• Immediate enforcement of zero-trust principles
• Rapid closure of access-related vulnerabilities
• Quick establishment of least privilege controls
• Fast implementation of separation of duties

For CISOs and security leaders, the ability to establish comprehensive identity governance in weeks rather than years represents a transformative advantage in their security strategy.

3. Improved User Experience

Avatier’s self-service password management, access request, and lifecycle management capabilities deliver immediate productivity improvements that would remain unrealized during a lengthy SailPoint implementation:

• 70% reduction in password reset tickets
• 65% faster access provisioning
• 50% decrease in onboarding delays
• 80% reduction in access certification effort

4. IT Resource Optimization

With SailPoint consuming significant IT resources for up to two years, Avatier’s efficient implementation allows IT teams to:

• Focus on strategic initiatives rather than implementation
• Reduce dependency on expensive consultants
• Minimize dedicated identity management staff
• Accelerate digital transformation initiatives

Real-World Implementation Comparison

The contrast between SailPoint and Avatier implementations becomes even clearer when examining real-world deployment scenarios:

Implementation Phase	SailPoint Timeline	Avatier Timeline
Initial Setup	2-3 months	1-2 weeks
Directory Integration	1-2 months	1-2 weeks
Application Connections	4-6 months	2-4 weeks
Workflow Configuration	3-4 months	2-3 weeks
Role Engineering	4-6 months	2-4 weeks
Testing & Validation	2-3 months	2-3 weeks
User Training	1-2 months	1-2 weeks
Total Timeline	17-26 months	2-4 months

Making the Business Case for Speed

When presenting the case for Avatier over SailPoint to executive leadership, consider these compelling arguments:

1. ROI Timeline: Avatier delivers positive ROI within the first year, while SailPoint’s extended implementation often pushes ROI into year three or beyond.
2. Risk Reduction: Accelerated implementation means faster reduction in identity-related security risks, which represent the attack vector behind 80% of data breaches according to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report.
3. Competitive Advantage: In rapidly evolving markets, the ability to implement secure access controls quickly supports faster digital transformation initiatives and business agility.
4. Compliance Certainty: For regulated industries, Avatier’s rapid deployment provides compliance assurance months or years before SailPoint alternatives.

Conclusion: Speed as a Strategic Advantage

In today’s dynamic business environment, the 12-18 month implementation advantage that Avatier delivers over SailPoint represents more than just cost savings—it’s a strategic competitive advantage.

While SailPoint continues to approach identity governance with a traditional, lengthy implementation model, Avatier has reimagined what’s possible through containerization, AI assistance, and a fundamental commitment to speed without sacrificing security or functionality.

For organizations evaluating identity governance solutions, the question isn’t just whether you can afford SailPoint’s licensing costs—it’s whether you can afford to wait two years for the security, compliance, and efficiency benefits that Avatier can deliver in just months.

To learn more about how Avatier can accelerate your identity management journey while reducing total implementation costs, explore our Identity Management Services or request a demonstration of our rapid deployment capabilities.