Octobits Blog – The role of SaaS manager emerged to address the complexities of managing diverse SaaS portfolios effectively.
According to Grand View Research, the global SaaS market was worth about $261 billion in 2022. It’s expected to grow at a 13.7% compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2030.
These numbers show a big shift from on-premise software to cloud-based solutions.
The shift has been made even faster by the pandemic, which forced companies to adopt remote working and digital transformation.
So, in this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the ins and outs of the SaaS manager role.
Key Responsibilities of a SaaS Manager for a Business
Strategic Planning and Procurement
Strategic planning and procurement are all about picking the right SaaS applications that fit with the business’s needs and goals.
The Productiv State of SaaS Management found 59% of enterprise tech leaders say they don’t have a clear picture of the tools not managed by IT.
This shows that a SaaS manager needs to do lots of research and check out what different vendors are offering.
This process also involves negotiating contracts and making sure that the new system integrates smoothly with existing ones.
Implementation and Onboarding
Once you’ve picked a SaaS app, the SaaS manager is in charge of getting it set up and ready to go.
This also means setting up the software to meet the company’s needs, moving data, and making sure employees know how to use it.
It’s important to get new tools up and running smoothly to avoid any hiccups and get everyone using them.
The Zylo 2022 SaaS Management Index Report says, on average, only 60% of the SaaS licenses that have been set up are actually used. This shows how important it is to make sure that onboarding is efficient.
User Support and Adoption
Another key responsibility is making sure employees know how to use the SaaS applications.
The SaaS manager is there to help out with any issues that users might have and to run training sessions to keep users up to date with new features and best practices.
It’s important to get as many users as possible to adopt SaaS applications if you want to see the productivity gains you’re hoping for.
The Productiv report says that 29% of tech leaders are worried about applications that aren’t being used enough. This shows that we need to keep providing support and training, which the SaaS Manager should lead.
By answering users’ questions, providing resources, and tracking adoption metrics, the SaaS Manager makes sure the company gets the most out of its SaaS investments.
For your reference, you can read “Making Sense of Managed Services vs. SaaS: Your Business Quick Guide.”
Vendor Relationship Management
Keeping the lines of communication open with your SaaS providers is key to making the most of your SaaS investments.
The Zylo report says that SaaS spending is getting more and more decentralized, with business units controlling 66% of it.
So, the SaaS manager keeps in touch with vendors to stay up to date on product developments, negotiate good deals, and deal with any service issues.
Good vendor management means that the company gets the best support and value from its SaaS providers.
Performance Monitoring and Optimization
Monitoring and optimizing the performance of SaaS apps is key to ensuring your provider meets your organization’s needs.
The SaaS manager uses different metrics and analytics tools to keep track of how the application is being used, how it’s performing, and how much it’s costing in terms of return on investment.
Based on these insights, the providers make data-driven decisions to optimize the software’s configuration, enhance the user experience, and eliminate inefficiencies.
The Zylo report shows that most organizations only use about 60% of their SaaS licenses, which means there’s a lot of room for improvement.
Security and Compliance Management
As more and more companies turn to cloud-based solutions, it’s more important than ever to make sure that SaaS applications are secure and compliant.
The Productiv report says that 57% of tech leaders have had security or compliance issues with different SaaS apps.
The SaaS manager works closely with the IT and compliance teams to make sure the security is rock-solid, that regular audits are done, and that the applications comply with all relevant regulations and standards.
Budgeting and Cost Optimization
When it comes to SaaS applications, it’s all about tracking expenses, spotting cost-saving opportunities, and making sure the organization gets the best bang for its buck.
The SaaS manager keeps an eye on licensing agreements, usage patterns, and subscription plans to find ways to cut costs without affecting the service.
The Zylo report says that it’s important to optimize SaaS licenses and subscriptions because organizations often pay for unused licenses.
The Productiv report says that 40% of tech leaders are most worried about shadow IT, or apps not owned by IT, from a cost perspective.
Kindly read “Benefits of SaaS Management: Your Track for a Stress-Free Tech Stack,” to see how many fundamental benefits when optimizing SaaS management.
How Octobits Supporting the Role of SaaS Manager
Octobits has a full range of tools to help SaaS managers get the most out of their SaaS investments.
Octobits has got your company back with features like automated cost tracking, performance analytics, and vendor management tools that make the complex tasks of a SaaS manager a breeze.
With those features, we at Octobits can help you work more efficiently, cut costs, and stay on top of industry standards.
Needless to say, this is just a bit of a sugar coating. That’s why we’re really happy when you do a background check.
You can even use Octobits for free until the end of December 2024. Yes, you can run a few A/B tests to see how Octobits work with your system.
So, for the initial step to know more about how Octobits can help you manage your SaaS applications effectively, just visit Octobits.
Absolutely, we’re all set for the discussion session. Please don’t hesitate to make an appointment. We’re here for you.
Conclusion
The SaaS Manager’s role is pretty diverse and important in today’s business world. They make sure companies use SaaS apps to reach their goals.
From planning and buying to putting it all together, making it work, and keeping it safe, SaaS managers are the ones who make digital transformation happen and get the most out of software investments.
By using tools like Octobits, the role of SaaS managers can be easier to make sure their SaaS operations are running smoothly.
