I agree but if there is one lesson I've learned, its that often when you find such environments it is due to failure of the management/execs to properly support

I agree but if there is one lesson I've learned, its that often when you find such environments it is due to failure of the management/execs to properly support the IT team, so they cut corners, halfass it, or hire contractors as you mentioned. True it shouldnt be done, but if you are selling equipment to a business who has had this failing, its just something to be aware of. Im so damn tired of companies underfunding IT and then roasting some director or other alive when the technical debt inevitably bites them in the ass.