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Flexible Consumption Program for Distributed Cloud

Published April 5, 2023 | Last modified July 8, 2026

Objective

This document provides the information on Flex Consumption Program (FCP-B). It is suitable for those prepared to commit to a minimum of three years and a specified amount of spend.

FCP-B simplifies the procurement and access to Distributed Cloud products and services, offering you the best pricing and premium support. This program includes the most popular services, such as:

  • App Security

  • Secure MCN

  • Distributed Apps

  • App Performance

With FCP-B, you commit to a minimum 3-year term with annual payments plus any applicable True Up/True Forwards at the end of each annual term. You'll agree to a minimum annual commitment, but you have the flexibility to use your committed dollars across any offered Distributed Cloud product. If you exceed your commitment value, you can continue to consume within each annual term. At the end of each annual term, your commitment will be adjusted based on actual reported growth usage.

Below you will find the steps required to purchase, activate, and get started with Distributed Cloud Services through the FCP-B.

Flex Consumption (FCP-B) Purchasing

F5 follows a two-tier channel model and therefore you should work with an F5 approved partner to submit a purchase order to F5 for Distributed Cloud Services. You can utilize the Find a Partner Tool.

Flex Consumption (FCP-B) Onboarding

You have successfully purchased your Distributed Cloud Services tenant through an FCP-B purchase. The next step is to set up your account. See the detailed steps in the Steps to Activating a Distributed Cloud Tenant to complete the setup process.

Flex Consumption (FCP-B) Billing

FCP-B subscriptions are a commitment to a minimum annual spend over a minimum 3-year agreement. Customers will pay a minimum annual commitment and applicable True Up/True Forward at the beginning of the annual term.

During each annual term, F5 will monitor and report on the Distributed Cloud product consumption to see how utilization tracks against the original annual commitment.

True Up and True Forward are calculated as total cumulative monthly usage minus your annual commitment. The True Up is the in arrears overage charge for the previous annual term's growth. The True Forward is the increase to your next annual term's commitment resulting from the previous annual term's growth.

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