# 3. How should we calculate scouting software total cost of ownership?


**Separate cash expenditure from internal staff capacity, then compare complete operating scenarios.** Use a cost model rather than a headline licence comparison; Wyscout’s published packaging already distinguishes viewing, downloading and additional API requirements. ([hudl.com](https://www.hudl.com/en_gb/products/wyscout/pricing))

Recommended model:

**First-year cash cost = subscription + required data/video rights + implementation + infrastructure + parallel-running charges + exit charges.**

**First-year economic cost = cash cost + incremental internal hours × the club’s chosen hourly cost assumption.**

Model at least:

1. Retain the existing stack.
2. Retain it and add the proposed supplier.
3. Replace an incumbent after migration.
4. Change the workflow without buying another feed.

**Illustrative calculation only—not supplier pricing:** retaining a US$30,000 subscription while adding a US$20,000 feed and US$5,000 integration project produces US$55,000 in first-year cash spending. If implementation also requires 80 internal hours valued at an assumed US$60 per hour, add US$4,800 of staff capacity, giving US$59,800 of economic cost.

Against the US$30,000 baseline, that is **US$25,000 additional cash plus US$4,800 of internal capacity**, not a US$29,800 invoice.

Keep claimed benefits equally disciplined. Record hours released separately from cash savings. Count a subscription saving only after confirming that cancellation is permitted and the replacement preserves essential capability.