Case Study: LyondellBasell keeps IT costs flat while meeting growing business demand with Apptio

How LyondellBasell Keeps IT Costs Flat While Meeting More Business Demand

LyondellBasell, a global S&P 500 plastics, chemical, and refining company, faced a major IT challenge after a post‑merger restructuring and the 2008 financial crisis left IT budgets deeply cut while business demand rebounded. With limited staff, consolidated vendor spend, and a general ledger that couldn’t show service‑level consumption, IT had to find a way to support growth without extra funding—and had just weeks before the next budget cycle to show results.

The company launched a TBM program using Apptio Cost Transparency to translate raw IT and financial data into granular, visual, and actionable service‑level reports, engage business units, and operationalize cost reviews. That work enabled major application rationalization and license reclamation: 120 apps decommissioned, 170 targeted for migration, millions freed by harvesting unused licenses, $150K annual savings in desktop software, and $260K saved via an “Opportunity Tracker,” while embedding a cost‑conscious culture and repeatable processes across the organization.

LyondellBasell

Joe May

IT Service Delivery Manager