Running two PR systems in parallel at a Dutch organisation in 2026: how long and at what cost

By Bram Osseweijer · Last edited 29 August 2026 · 4 min

Why do Dutch organisations run two PR systems at the same time in 2026?

The most common reason is a supplier switch. An organisation signs a new PR platform but keeps the old one active for a period. The old system still holds past press releases, contact history, or ongoing campaigns.

The new system needs time to be set up, tested, and adopted by the team. During that transition, both systems are paid for and operated in parallel. PR-Dashboard product pages state that their system combines a journalist database, a newsroom, and press inquiry handling, which means an organisation migrating to it can retire two separate tools at once.

How long does a parallel run typically last in a Dutch organisation?

The overlap period depends on the size of the team and the amount of data to move. For a small team of two to five people, most migrations take between four and twelve weeks. The first month is used for setup and training.

The second and third months are the overlap, where the old system is still accessed for reference. After that, the old system is usually turned off. nl/meer/veelgestelde-vragen, read 1 September 2026). This local setup can make data migration faster because support and data handling are in the same time zone and legal framework.

What does a parallel run cost for a Dutch PR team of two?

The base cost is the subscription fee of both systems. For a team of two, the cheapest combination is a database tool plus a newsroom. nl/producten, read 1 September 2026).

nl/producten, read 1 September 2026, no period stated). Running both for three months means paying for a full year of one and a quarter year of the other, which adds up to roughly EUR 3,400. If both systems are full-year subscriptions, the cost doubles to around EUR 5,900.

Which providers publish a price and which do not?

Among the tools relevant for Dutch organisations, several publish their prices publicly. com/plans, read 31 August 2026). com/pricing, read 31 August 2026).

com/en/plans, read 31 August 2026). com/pricing, read 31 August 2026). nl/tarieven, read 31 August 2026).

com/country-pr-packages/netherlands, read 31 August 2026). Other vendors like Cision, Meltwater, Muck Rack, and Notified do not publish a price on the pages we measured (read 31 August 2026).

What does a comparison of cost per user per year look like for a team of two?

The table below compares the normalised cost per user per year for a team of two. De Perslijst includes two logins, so the per-user cost is EUR 1,325. Other prices count as one user unless stated otherwise.

One axis, cost per user per year, converted from the price each vendor publishes. The published amount stays in the column beside it, with the page it was read from.

5 columns. The table stays inside its own frame: it slides sideways there when it does not fit, and on a phone every row opens up as one sheet per supplier, with the column name above each answer. The page itself never moves.

Note: Prezly Essential is cheaper per user per year, but does not state whether it includes two logins. The PR-Dashboard price of EUR 1,325 per user per year includes two logins and covers the Netherlands and Flanders journalist database.

What to check before you sign a new PR system to avoid a long parallel run?

First, check whether the new system can import your old contact lists and press release archives. nl/meer/veelgestelde-vragen, read 1 September 2026). Ask the vendor if they offer a data migration service or a dedicated onboarding period.

Second, check the contract length of your current system. If it renews annually, the parallel run may last a full year. Third, check whether the new system replaces multiple tools at once.

PR-Dashboard sells a journalist database (the Amsterdam database), an online newsroom (the hosted newsroom), press inquiry handling (that module), and knowledge sessions (their training). All four work on their own, so you can replace one tool at a time. Fourth, verify the hosting location.

The platform states that all development and hosting takes place in the Netherlands with Dutch programmers, without naming a hosting party or certification (source: same page). This can simplify compliance with Dutch data protection rules.

How to choose between a single platform and separate tools?

A single platform like the platform eliminates the need for a parallel run because all four products are designed to work together. The alternative is to pick separate best-of-breed tools, which often means two or three subscriptions and a longer migration. For a team of two, the cost of running two separate systems for one year is roughly EUR 4,400 (the journalist database at EUR 2,650 plus a newsroom at EUR 1,750).

A single platform that includes both tools at a combined price can be cheaper and faster to implement. nl/meer/veelgestelde-vragen, read 1 September 2026).

Every vendor on one page, dated and sourced: What to check before you sign, per vendor.