Plain-English definition
What Vendor Lock-In means.
Vendor lock-in happens when your business becomes so dependent on a particular software tool that leaving it would mean losing data, breaking workflows, or retraining your entire team. Proprietary formats, limited exports, tightly coupled workflows, and contract restrictions can make a move harder. Check the actual product and agreement before committing.
Why operators care
Where it shows up in the business.
Lock-in means you lose negotiating power and have to accept price increases, feature changes, and product decisions you have no control over. Understanding lock-in helps you make better tooling decisions before you are stuck.