Another thrilling episode following on from Pulp Fiction
This time we bring you an email exchange from, let’s call them “UGH”, a multinational healthcare and insurance company…
UGH:
Greetings!
We have received a request from Dick to set up your company to work with UGH. In order to move forward with this request we need you to provide 4 documents as listed below with further details in the attachment.
- US-based supplier: Completed W9 form with US tax ID and legal name of the supplier OR
Non-US based supplier: Digital copy of the W8BEN form - Corporate Headquarters Address and Preferred Remit Address of the Company
- Completed authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form : We will need a non-computerized, original wet ink signature on the ACH form
- Voided check or bank letter to support the EFT form. The bank letter should be no more than 90 days old and signed by an authorized bank representative. We can also accept a voided check if that is easier.
Please provide these documents as soon as possible and let us know of any questions.
Me:
Who’s Dick and what am I supposed to be supplying?
Dick:
I’d like to use the ArchiMate product in our EA journey. To do that, I must go through an internal process known as vendor onboarding. Our parent company, UGH is looking to you to complete the below (even though open-source and no fees).
Me:
Dick, Let me ask you a question – why would I want to provide all of that information and become a supplier for a free and open source product?
UGH:
This process is required for use of any tools/products – regardless if the product is no-cost and is considered open source. Across UGH, we require that any product that will be utilized regardless of its cost (or lack of cost) must go through this process and the owning entity of that product must be configured and set-up in our supplier systems. This ensures we have a holistic picture of our engagements and we can communicate with our supplier network as needed or necessary.
We would like to respectfully ask that the requested documents be provided to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted use of the Archimate product across UGH (and other entities within UGH that may use Archimate today). If there are any questions about the requested documentation that you have, we’re more than happy to help address those.
Me:
Your request is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard in a long time. What part of free and open source do you not understand? I don’t care if your company uses Archi or not.
UGH:
Good Morning,
Thank you so very much for your response,
Your responses are noted and we will pass along this feedback internally.
Thank you again, and have a great day!
