Vendor lock-in is one of the quietest, costliest risks in AI — easy to walk into, hard to walk out of. The good news: it’s avoidable if you know where it hides and ask the right questions. Here’s how, and how dgm keeps you free. (dgm implements osFoundry, a separate company’s platform — we are not osFoundry.)
Where lock-in hides
- Model dependence — your AI is built entirely on one provider’s models, so their pricing or deprecations hit you directly.
- Cloud dependence — you’re tied to one cloud’s AI services and can’t move (see on-prem vs cloud AI).
- Proprietary data formats — your data is hard to export and use elsewhere.
- Trapped workflows — a platform whose automations and agents can’t be moved without rebuilding.
How to stay flexible
- Be model-agnostic. Use a platform where you can switch and mix models (see bring your own model).
- Control your data. Keep it under your control, in exportable formats.
- Choose movable platforms. Avoid ones that trap your workflows or data.
Why it’s a strategic risk
Lock-in hands a single vendor control over your AI economics and capabilities. If their pricing rises, terms change, or a model is deprecated, you’re stuck — no leverage, high switching costs. Flexibility preserves your options and your bargaining position; it’s a strategic asset, not a technicality.
The questions to ask every vendor
- Can we switch or mix models?
- Can we export our data in usable formats?
- Can we leave without rebuilding everything?
Get the answers in writing (see what to look for in an AI vendor contract).
How dgm helps
dgm builds on osFoundry, a model-agnostic platform that keeps your data under your control — so you can switch models and aren’t trapped by one vendor’s cloud or formats. Lock-in avoidance is built into the design, part of the $3,999/month implementation (after a $399 assessment). If you’d rather explore the platform yourself first, go straight to osFoundry; if you want AI that keeps you free, that’s where dgm comes in.