Across industries, organizations are spending millions each year on Identity and Access Management (IAM) tools they do not actually need. It is common to see two or more platforms doing the same job. One system handles workforce single sign-on while another suite already includes that capability. A separate multi-factor tool runs in parallel to features that exist in the primary stack.
These overlaps are rarely intentional. They appear quietly over time after mergers, during migrations, or when specialized tools become redundant as platform suites mature. The result is the same: budgets stretch thin, teams juggle unnecessary complexity, and risk increases with every extra system in play.
Industry research shows that many enterprises maintain multiple identity providers, often overlapping in functionality and cost. At the same time, most organizations underutilize the tools they already own, leaving significant value (and budget) untapped each year.
Duplicate IAM tools typically emerge through four patterns.
When two companies come together, each brings their own identity stack. Running both in parallel feels safer at first and often becomes permanent. Every acquisition adds another provider and another licensing bill.
During moves from legacy or on-premises identity to cloud identity, teams double run both systems for safety. If the project slows, those overlapping licenses linger.
Teams adopt a specialized tool because their main suite lacked a feature at the time. Over the years the suite matures, yet the specialized tool remains. The organization ends up paying twice for similar functions like sign-on, multi-factor, and lifecycle management.
Different divisions buy their own identity tools, often unaware that corporate IT already funds another. Autonomy turns into redundancy with separate systems managing the same functions.
Duplicate licensing does not just drain budget; it weakens the foundation of security and efficiency.
The hidden cost of multiple identity systems is a division of expertise. Each platform demands its own specialists, updates and governance. Without close coordination, organizations often rebuild the same features in parallel, multiplying effort and complexity.
Multiple login experiences and authenticator apps frustrate employees and reduce security hygiene. Transitioning to a passwordless authentication model simplifies that experience while improving security and adoption rates.
Every extra identity store widens the attack surface. Misaligned policies create blind spots where old accounts remain active.
Proving compliance is harder when access data is spread across several systems. Running redundant platforms means paying twice. First in licensing, then again in lost visibility, control, and trust.
Organizations that examine their identity stack often uncover fast, measurable wins. Case studies in the market show six figure annual savings from license cleanup, reduced helpdesk tickets after unifying sign in, and 10 to 30 percent lower program costs after rationalization and automation. Teams also report clearer accountability and faster access enablement once identity runs through a single control plane.
Consolidation does not require a disruptive rip and replace. The key is clarity and control.
Inventory every identity tool, license, and feature in use. Determine who uses what and why. Visibility is step one to reclaiming value.
Compare capabilities. If multiple systems provide sign-on, multi-factor, provisioning, or governance, decide which platform is strategic and already included in enterprise agreements. Quantify affected users and potential savings.
Plan phased migrations. Align to renewal dates. Ensure equivalent or stronger security controls in the target system. Consolidation succeeds when it is deliberate and time bound.
Use federation or identity orchestration patterns to smooth transitions. Let users log in seamlessly while back-end systems merge.
Decommission redundant licenses and support contracts to realize savings. Track support tickets, time to onboard, and policy consistency after cutover.
Monitor utilization quarterly. Add approval steps for any new identity tools. Make license management part of ongoing governance so waste does not creep back in.
If resources are tight, an external assessment focused on license optimization can accelerate discovery, quantify savings, and guide a safe migration. Rather than absorbing another round of license renewals, leverage third-party experts to consolidate your identity stack on schedule. Pairing that with a managed services overlay ensures your chosen platform runs smoothly, even as internal resources shift.
Consolidating identity platforms is about more than reducing spending. It builds a stronger, simpler foundation for Zero Trust and long-term scalability. Unified identity means consistent policies, fewer blind spots, and faster execution across the business. That is how strategy turns into results, and how identity programs last.
At GCA, we help organizations discover and eliminate duplicate licenses, streamline operations, and make full use of what they already own. Our assessments uncover hidden overlap, our implementation teams guide structured migrations, and our managed services keep day-to-day identity running smoothly so internal teams can focus on progress.