TBM Software & Service Providers

Bridging Data and Decision-Making

Building a robust Technology Business Management (TBM) model involves more than just data collection; it requires transforming data into actionable insights that promote financial transparency and operational efficiency. Organizations must overcome several challenges to achieve this transformation:

• Integrating data from multiple sources (e.g., general ledgers, CMDBs, vendor invoices, cloud bills)
• Mapping data to a common taxonomy to ensure standardization and consistency
• Building allocation rules to fairly distribute costs across IT services and business units
• Generating meaningful reports and analytics that inform decision-making

Addressing these challenges necessitates a suite of TBM-enabling tools that not only handle data ingestion but also serve as a “translation engine”—converting raw financial and operational data into a clear, structured TBM model that finance, technology, and business leaders can use to optimize IT investments.

Commercial TBM Systems: The Core of Data Transformation

For organizations with complex technology environments, commercial TBM software provides an advanced data transformation engine—automating the ingestion, classification, and reporting of cost and consumption data.

Key Capabilities of Commercial TBM Systems:

• Data Ingestion & Transformation: Automatically pull financial, operational, and cloud data from various sources and convert it into standardized cost and consumption metrics.
• Taxonomy Mapping & Allocation: Use predefined or customizable TBM Taxonomy structures to allocate costs across IT resources, applications, and business units, ensuring transparency and consistency.
• Reporting & Analytics: Generate dashboards, financial reports, and benchmarking tools that provide real-time visibility into IT spending, enabling leaders to identify optimization opportunities.

While commercial TBM systems require an upfront investment, their ability to scale, automate, and support evolving IT financial management needs makes them essential as organizations advance in their TBM maturity.

Leading Commercial TBM Platforms

Apptio (IBM) – Apptio provides automated cost modeling, financial transparency, and cloud cost management solutions. ApptioOne helps organizations allocate and optimize IT spend, while Apptio Cloudability offers real-time cloud cost visibility and optimization.

ClearCost – ClearCost ITFM delivers cost transparency and benchmarking, enabling organizations to reduce IT spending while improving service delivery. The platform supports IT chargeback, budgeting, and financial forecasting.

ComSci (Upland) – ComSci IT Financial Management provides cost allocation, chargeback, and budgeting capabilities. It enables organizations to track IT costs, align spending with business priorities, and generate financial reports.

CostLens (Amalytics Software) – CostLens is an advanced cost analytics and scenario modeling platform designed for IT finance teams. It helps organizations gain deep visibility into cost structures, simulate financial outcomes, and optimize technology investments.

CostPerform – CostPerform is a cost modeling and IT financial management solution that supports flexible allocation methodologies and in-depth financial analysis. It helps organizations build TBM models, optimize IT spend, and improve cost transparency.

EZTBM (ITBMO) – EZTBM is a TBM platform designed for mid-sized organizations, offering rapid implementation and simplified cost modeling. It provides core IT financial management features such as cost allocation, reporting, and budgeting.

Nicus – Nicus provides a comprehensive IT financial management platform that supports budgeting, forecasting, chargeback, and cost transparency. It enables organizations to link technology costs to business value and drive informed financial decisions.

ServiceWare – ServiceWare TBM focuses on IT service costing, financial optimization, and chargeback/showback management. The platform helps organizations allocate IT expenses based on usage and improve cost recovery.

TBM-as-a-Service Providers

For organizations that lack the internal expertise or resources to implement TBM independently, TBM-as-a-Service (TBMaaS) providers offer managed services to operate and optimize a TBM Model.

Key Capabilities of TBMaaS Providers:

• TBM Model Implementation & Maintenance: Setting up the TBM Model, mapping costs to the TBM Taxonomy, and ensuring accurate data integration.
• Cost Allocation & Financial Management Services: Continuously refining cost allocation methodologies to improve transparency and financial accountability.
• Custom Reporting & Insights: Providing executive dashboards, benchmarking, and financial insights tailored to the organization’s needs.
• TBM Practice Establishment: Assisting in setting up a TBM practice within the organization, including organizational change management, building reporting structures, establishing accountability, and standing up a TBM office.

Engaging with TBMaaS providers offers several advantages, such as reducing the need for dedicated internal TBM resources, accelerating TBM adoption, and leveraging industry best practices. However, organizations should consider potential drawbacks, including ongoing service fees, possible limitations in customization, and reliance on external partners for critical financial processes.

Top TBM-as-a-Service Providers

Deliquo Ltd (UK) – A UK-based TBM consulting firm specializing in financial transparency and IT cost modeling strategies. TBM Services: TBM strategy, reporting structure design, financial governance

Deloitte – A global consulting firm offering TBM transformation services, including organizational change management and cost optimization. TBM Services: TBM practice enablement, benchmarking, ITFM model development

IBM Apptio – Provides managed TBM solutions and consulting, helping organizations implement and optimize Apptio’s TBM platform for cost transparency and financial governance. TBM Services: TBM model implementation, cloud cost management, ongoing optimization

ItsValue – European-based TBM specialists providing consulting and managed services to optimize IT spending and financial management. TBM Services: ITFM/TBM implementation, cost tracking, reporting automation

KPMG – A leading professional services firm offering TBM implementation, financial modeling, and governance consulting. TBM Services: TBM framework integration, financial operations strategy, benchmarking

Maryville Consulting Group – Helps enterprises establish and mature their TBM practices through strategic advisory and implementation services. TBM Services: TBM adoption strategy, financial reporting alignment, cost allocation

REI Systems Inc – Offers TBM consulting and implementation services with a focus on government and enterprise IT cost management. TBM Services: Cost allocation modeling, cloud financial management, IT cost optimization

Rego Consulting – Provides TBM advisory, implementation, and ongoing support services, specializing in cost transparency and ITFM solutions. TBM Services: TBM model development, financial governance, tool implementation

Alternative Approaches to Building a TBM Model

For organizations in the early stages of their TBM journey or those seeking cost-effective solutions, alternative approaches can be employed to build a TBM Model without investing in commercial tools.

• Database Applications: Utilizing database programs to manage and analyze cost data, apply allocation rules, and generate reports.
• Programming Languages: Developing custom TBM models using programming languages like Python, which can handle data analysis, automation, and reporting.

While these methods can provide a foundation for TBM practices, they may require significant manual effort and technical expertise. As IT environments grow in complexity, transitioning to dedicated TBM systems or services may become necessary to maintain scalability and efficiency.

Expanding the TBM Ecosystem

Modern IT and finance leaders require an ecosystem of tools that extend TBM’s core capabilities—linking IT cost transparency with strategic decision-making, Agile execution, and real-time cost control.

TBM Taxonomy Extensions and Integrations:

• Industry-Specific Taxonomy Extensions: Tailoring the TBM Taxonomy to specific industries, such as healthcare or finance, to provide more granular and relevant cost and consumption reporting.
• Integration with Frameworks like ServiceNow CSDM and NIST: Aligning the TBM Model with frameworks like ServiceNow’s Common Service Data Model (CSDM) and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to ensure consistent cost modeling and service-based financial management.

Additional Tools Enhancing the TBM Ecosystem:

• Cloud Cost Management & FinOps Platforms: Helping organizations manage dynamic, usage-based cloud expenditures, ensuring that cloud investments remain cost-effective and aligned with TBM models.
• Enterprise Agile Planning (EAP) Systems: Integrating financial planning with Agile execution, creating a bridge between strategic budgets, portfolio management, and operational execution. These systems allow teams to align technology spending with business priorities, measure performance, and optimize resources.

By incorporating these additional tools and standards, organizations extend TBM’s financial rigor into cloud optimization, Agile transformation, and broader IT planning—ensuring that every dollar spent on technology is aligned with business outcomes.

Take the Next Step in Your TBM Journey

While you’re here, join the TBM Council to connect with peers and stay updated on all things TBM. Explore our communities to see how others are tackling similar challenges, or check out our Knowledge Base for frameworks, case studies, and how-to guidance. Learn more about the TBM Framework and how it supports smarter decision-making across IT and Finance. You can also attend an upcoming event, pursue training or certification, or see how our partners are contributing to this area of TBM practice.