Time-to-Value Comparison: Avatier vs. ForgeRock (PingIdentity) Deployment Speed

Organizations cannot afford lengthy identity and access management (IAM) implementations. With the average cost of a data breach reaching $4.45 million in 2023 according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, the speed at which an IAM solution can be deployed and deliver measurable security improvements has become a critical evaluation criterion.

This comprehensive analysis compares the deployment speed and time-to-value between Avatier’s Identity Anywhere platform and ForgeRock, which was recently acquired by PingIdentity. We’ll examine implementation timelines, resource requirements, and the tangible benefits organizations can expect when choosing between these two identity management solutions.

Understanding Time-to-Value in Identity Management Deployments

Time-to-value (TTV) represents the duration between purchasing an IAM solution and realizing meaningful business benefits from the implementation. For identity management, this typically includes:

1. Initial deployment timeframe
2. Configuration and customization period
3. User adoption milestones
4. Measurable security improvements
5. Quantifiable ROI achievements

According to Gartner, traditional IAM implementations often take 18-24 months to complete, with many organizations experiencing significant delays, cost overruns, and organizational disruption throughout the process.

Avatier’s Deployment Approach: Containers and Automation

Avatier has revolutionized IAM implementations with its Identity-as-a-Container (IDaaC) technology, the world’s first containerized identity management solution. This architectural approach enables deployment advantages that fundamentally change the implementation timeline:

1. Containerized Deployment

Avatier’s containerized architecture allows for rapid deployment across various environments. While traditional IAM vendors like ForgeRock require extensive installation processes across multiple servers, Avatier’s Docker container technology enables deployment in hours rather than weeks.

The benefits include:

• Immediate provisioning of identity services
• Consistent deployment across all environments
• Elimination of compatibility issues
• Simplified upgrades and maintenance

2. Pre-Configured Connectors

Avatier provides over 500 out-of-the-box application connectors that enable immediate integration with common enterprise systems. This eliminates weeks of custom connector development typically required in ForgeRock implementations.

3. Self-Service Configuration

Avatier’s interface allows IT teams to configure complex workflows without coding, unlike ForgeRock which often requires significant custom development. The platform’s intuitive design enables business users to create approval processes, access policies, and governance rules without developer involvement.

ForgeRock (PingIdentity) Deployment Realities

ForgeRock has traditionally positioned itself as an enterprise-grade IAM solution with extensive customization capabilities. While powerful, this approach comes with inherent deployment challenges:

1. Professional Services Requirements

ForgeRock implementations typically require significant professional services engagements. According to customer surveys, the average ForgeRock implementation involves:

• 3-6 months of professional services planning
• 6-12 months of phased deployment
• Specialized developer expertise throughout the project lifecycle

2. Custom Integration Development

ForgeRock’s architecture often necessitates custom-coded integrations with enterprise systems. While the platform offers flexibility, this approach extends implementation timelines and increases project risks compared to Avatier’s pre-built connector approach.

3. Complex Customization Requirements

Organizations implementing ForgeRock frequently report significant time spent on customizing the platform to meet specific business requirements. These customizations typically involve:

• Custom UI development
• Integration scripting
• Policy framework modifications
• Reporting customizations

Comparative Deployment Timelines

Based on aggregated customer implementation data and third-party assessments, here’s how Avatier and ForgeRock compare across key implementation milestones:

Implementation Milestone	Avatier	ForgeRock	Time Advantage
Initial Deployment	1-3 days	3-4 weeks	89% faster
User Directory Integration	1-2 days	2-4 weeks	92% faster
Application Connectivity	1-2 weeks	2-3 months	83% faster
Workflow Configuration	1-2 weeks	1-3 months	75% faster
Governance Implementation	2-4 weeks	3-6 months	80% faster
Production Rollout	4-8 weeks	6-12 months	75% faster

Real-World Implementation Examples

Manufacturing Sector Implementation

A global manufacturing company with 15,000 employees recently switched from ForgeRock to Avatier’s Identity Management Anywhere for Manufacturing solution. Their experience highlights the dramatic differences in implementation speed:

• ForgeRock Implementation (Previous): 14 months from contract to full production, requiring 3 full-time developers and $1.8M in professional services
• Avatier Implementation: 12 weeks from contract to full production, using existing IT staff and $120K in professional services

The company achieved full ROI with Avatier within 7 months, compared to ForgeRock’s projected 30-month ROI timeline.

Financial Services Deployment

A mid-size financial institution implemented both solutions across different business units, providing a direct comparison:

• ForgeRock Deployment (Wealth Management): 9-month implementation timeline, requiring significant developer resources and customization
• Avatier Deployment (Retail Banking): 8-week implementation timeline with minimal customization requirements

The bank reported that Avatier’s self-service capabilities enabled much faster configuration of compliance workflows necessary for SOX compliance, a critical requirement for financial institutions.

Resource Requirements and TCO Impact

The resource requirements for implementation directly impact the total cost of ownership (TCO) for identity management solutions:

Avatier Resource Model

Avatier implementations typically require:

• 1 project manager (part-time)
• 1 identity administrator (full-time during implementation)
• Minimal developer involvement (typically less than 80 hours)
• Limited professional services engagement

ForgeRock Resource Model

ForgeRock implementations commonly require:

• 1 dedicated project manager (full-time)
• 2-3 identity specialists (full-time during implementation)
• 2-3 developers with ForgeRock expertise (full-time)
• Extensive professional services engagement (typically 2,000+ hours)

This resource differential translates to approximately 60-70% lower implementation costs for Avatier deployments.

Critical Factors Influencing Deployment Speed

Several key factors explain the dramatic difference in implementation timelines between Avatier and ForgeRock:

1. Architectural Approach

Avatier’s containerized approach allows for rapid deployment and configuration, while ForgeRock’s traditional architecture requires more extensive installation and configuration processes. Avatier’s Identity Management Architecture is designed for rapid implementation and simplified maintenance.

2. Out-of-the-Box Functionality

Avatier provides significantly more pre-configured capabilities that work immediately upon deployment, while ForgeRock implementations often require extensive customization to achieve similar functionality.

3. Implementation Methodology

Avatier employs a streamlined implementation methodology that emphasizes early wins and iterative deployment, while ForgeRock typically follows a more traditional waterfall approach to implementation.

4. User Interface and Configuration

Avatier’s interface allows business users and IT administrators to configure workflows without coding, significantly reducing the technical expertise required during implementation. ForgeRock’s approach typically requires more developer involvement for similar configurations.

Business Impact of Faster Deployment

The accelerated implementation timeline for Avatier delivers substantial business benefits:

1. Faster Security Posture Improvement

Organizations implementing Avatier experience security improvements months earlier than ForgeRock implementations. In an environment where security threats evolve daily, this acceleration provides significant risk reduction value.

2. Earlier Compliance Achievement

For organizations facing regulatory deadlines, Avatier’s faster implementation means achieving compliance requirements significantly earlier than with ForgeRock, reducing regulatory risk exposure.

3. Reduced Implementation Risk

Shorter implementation timeframes inherently reduce project risks, including:

• Reduced exposure to budget overruns
• Lower risk of scope creep
• Less vulnerability to staffing changes during implementation
• Fewer integration complications

4. Lower Total Cost of Ownership

The combination of faster deployment, reduced professional services requirements, and lower internal resource needs drives substantially lower TCO for Avatier implementations compared to ForgeRock.

Best Practices for Accelerating IAM Deployments

Regardless of which solution you choose, certain best practices can help accelerate IAM deployments:

1. Prioritize critical use cases first – Focus on the most critical security and compliance needs before expanding scope
2. Leverage phased deployment approaches – Implement core functionality first, then expand capabilities over time
3. Utilize vendor implementation expertise – Engage with vendor professional services to leverage best practices and accelerate deployment
4. Ensure executive sponsorship – Secure strong leadership support to overcome organizational resistance
5. Plan for user adoption early – Develop training and change management strategies from the project’s outset

Conclusion: The Value of Accelerated IAM Implementation

In today’s security-conscious environment, organizations cannot afford extended periods of vulnerability while waiting for IAM implementations to complete. Avatier’s innovative approach to identity management deployment delivers substantial time-to-value advantages over ForgeRock and other traditional IAM solutions.

For organizations prioritizing rapid security improvements, compliance achievement, and measurable ROI, Avatier’s containerized implementation approach represents a significant advantage in the identity management marketplace.

When evaluating IAM solutions, consider not just the feature set, but the speed at which those features can be deployed and delivering value to your organization. In most cases, faster implementation translates directly to improved security posture, reduced risk, and better overall return on investment.

By choosing an IAM solution with accelerated deployment capabilities like Avatier, organizations can achieve their security and compliance objectives months sooner than with traditional approaches, while simultaneously reducing implementation costs and resource requirements.

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