Where is all the content?

[Shuuli]

I dunno if they work anything like our company a new server must go through extreme IT security protocols and must meet already existing requirements. In addition to that, this would be a new supplier. Do you have any idea how approaching a new supplier could be so painful like this?

Most companies have something we call anit corruption, anti bribery and anti fraud acts in palce when it comes to new suppliers. You cannot just chose whomever you want off the shelf. You need to have a competition. Contact at least 2-3 suppliers to ensure you are compliant (e.g.: you need to be able to proof that you made all the effort to ensure there is proper segregation of duties, and no conflict of interest). You also go through heavy negotiations for contracting, not just the price, but the length of the contract, the management of potential issues, the management of disputes.

Procurement has not just fraud risk but also reputational risk. If your supplier is bad and fucks up, the players won't care. What we will see is that something is not working and reputation will drop...

Then if you manage to get a new supplier, you will need approval from 2-3 level depending on company. But before that they also need to show that they meet due diligence. This may also take time.

I also would not downplay the shortage of supply... it makes everything more difficult as the supplier can push prices higher because they know that their products/ services are in need, and if FFXIV team inside Squere has a budget that cannot allow this for the year, again, this will take many approvals before a higher priced supplier can be contracted... Also these prices are not contracted for 1 month. The conracts can vary from 1-10 years... and sometimes its really hard to negotiate new prices with the current supplier, and if you just leave whenever you are over the "shortage" you break contract and pay heavy fees...

I am sure they are looking for something as we got recent news that they finally can introduce new centers. But I can fully understand why it takes time.