How to use Trend Vision One with a pay-as-you-go model
Introduction
Hello, I'm Shima.
When using Trend Vision One, have you ever struggled with the licensing system? Vision One has two billing systems when contracting through AWS Marketplace: "Credits" and "Pay-as-You-Go". This time, I'll introduce how to switch from Credits to Pay-as-You-Go and which one is recommended.
Two Billing Systems for Vision One
Credits License Model
The Credits model is a licensing model where you purchase the required number of licenses in advance. It's basically an annual contract, effective in environments where usage can be clearly predicted, but there are the following challenges:
- Not compatible with the scalability of AWS environments
- Risk of over-purchasing or shortage
- Manual license management is cumbersome
Pay-as-You-Go Model
On the other hand, the Pay-as-You-Go model charges based on actual usage. It can be easily contracted through AWS Marketplace and has the following benefits:
- Pay only for what you use, no waste
- Easy management with integration into AWS billing
- Supports auto-scaling
- Reduced initial investment
Why Pay-as-You-Go is Recommended for AWS Users
In AWS, the basic principle of "pay for what you use" is well established. Like EC2, Lambda, and other services, using Vision One on a pay-as-you-go basis enables cloud-native operations.
Furthermore, with Credits, you need to manage license operations by allocating Credits in the Vision One console when resources increase or decrease.
*Example of File Security Storage
However, with Pay-as-You-Go, billing and licensing automatically adjust according to agent additions or deletions. The elimination of manual license allocation and additional purchase procedures when shortages occur is a significant advantage.
Depending on the features used, there may be cost differences between Pay-as-You-Go and Credits. When comparing costs, it's important to consider not just simple price comparisons but also other factors:
- Human costs associated with license management
- Losses due to over-purchasing or shortages
- Business efficiency improvement through simplified billing processes
Considering these points, Pay-as-You-Go offers greater benefits in many cases.
Important Notes
Checking Pay-as-You-Go Compatible Features
Not all Vision One features are compatible with Pay-as-You-Go. You need to verify in advance whether the features you're considering are available with Pay-as-You-Go.
When checking compatibility with Pay-as-You-Go, confirm the latest status in Trend Micro's official documentation. Features not compatible with Pay-as-You-Go will require purchase through Credits.
Contract Restrictions
As of September 2025, even though pricing becomes Pay-as-You-Go, Vision One doesn't have the same flexibility as Cloud One regarding contracts. Please also check the notes explained in the previous article "Understanding the Differences in Marketplace Contract and License Management between Cloud One and Vision One". Be particularly aware that it's an annual contract and cancellation requires contacting support.
https://dev.classmethod.jp/articles/202505-v1c1-marketplace-01/## Procedure for Enabling Pay-As-You-Go in Vision One
Let's look at the steps to enable pay-as-you-go for each function in Vision One after completing the AWS Marketplace contract and account linking.
If you are considering a new contract, please consult with our office before proceeding.
※As of September 2025, due to the limitations mentioned earlier, if you already have a contract, you cannot update the contract terms until the next contract renewal timing.
Prerequisites
- Subscription completed on AWS Marketplace
- Account linking between Vision One account and AWS Marketplace is completed
- Having Primary User Account permissions for Trend Vision One
※ Detailed information about AWS Marketplace contracting and account linking procedures will be introduced in a separate article.
Switching to Pay-As-You-Go for Each Function
Log in to the Trend Vision One console, select "Administration" → "Credits & Billing" from the left pane, and check your current billing model from the "Pay-As-You-Go" tab. Click the "Manage Billing Model" button, and then click the "Confirm" button on the confirmation screen to switch to pay-as-you-go.
There are some important points to note when switching the billing model for each function to pay-as-you-go.
- Individual switching settings are required for each function
- For Endpoint Security, charges vary depending on the functions and modules that are enabled
- Once changed, you cannot change it again for 30 days
Summary
Trend Vision One's pay-as-you-go is a billing model that works very well with AWS usage.
By transitioning to pay-as-you-go using AWS Marketplace, you can simultaneously achieve security operation efficiency and cost optimization. Why not first check your current usage and consider the benefits of switching to pay-as-you-go?
I hope this article has been helpful to someone.