Finding the perfect vendor partner for any campus initiative takes more than patience and planning; it takes an open mind. In the case of the two institutions and their software initiative leaders profiled in this article, a careful assessment of need--coupled with a good deal of out-of-the-box thinking--led to innovative approaches to vendor partnering for project success. Got an upcoming software initiative that could use some help? Throw out preconceived ideas and look for a win-win in the technology vendor community.