Octobits Blog – Why does companies need SaaS management? Because with great SaaS benefits come great challenges.
SaaS management is all about making sure that SaaS applications are used, bought, and kept in good shape within an organization.
As more companies start using SaaS applications, it’s important to have good management in place to make sure you get the most out of them, keep them secure, and stay on the right side of the rules.
What is SaaS Management?
SaaS management is the process of keeping an eye on how SaaS applications are being used within an organization and making sure they’re being used in the best way possible.
This means keeping an eye on how the apps are being used, managing the licenses, handling the renewals, and making sure everything is secure and compliant.
Good SaaS management gives you a clear picture of all your SaaS subscriptions, user licenses, contracts, and costs. This helps you make smart decisions and use resources more efficiently.
The Importance of SaaS Management for Companies
The importance of managing SaaS is growing because so many more SaaS applications are being used in organizations.
According to Statista, in “Average number of software as a service (SaaS) applications used by organizations worldwide from 2015 to 2022,” organizations worldwide were using an average of 130 SaaS apps in 2022.
And since 2015, the number of SaaS apps used by companies has been on the rise.
This increase in the number of apps can lead to higher costs, security risks, and compliance issues if not managed properly.
Good SaaS management helps with these issues by giving you a full picture of what SaaS is being used in your company.
This translates to how effectively you spot any unused or redundant apps and make sure you’re not spending too much.
However, companies also need to consider using Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) for their SaaS management.
As highlighted in “CASB and SaaS Management: Should You Have Both?” integrating CASB with SaaS management can strengthen security and compliance, enhance cost efficiency, and give you better operational control.
Combining CASB with SaaS management gives you a more comprehensive approach to managing and securing SaaS apps.
CASBs make sure that security policies are followed, that any unusual activity is spotted, and that companies are sticking to industry regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.
SaaS management platforms help out here by giving you visibility into how your SaaS is being used, letting you know when licenses are being underused, and managing renewals and contracts.
Together, they provide a solid security stance and ensure that all your apps are compliant.
Key Benefits of SaaS Management
Here’s one great thing about SaaS management: you can save money.
By identifying and eliminating unused licenses and consolidating redundant applications, companies can avoid unnecessary expenses.
Another great thing about SaaS is that it makes your company safer. SaaS management lets companies make sure only approved apps are used, which helps keep data safe from breaches.
Proper SaaS management also means deprovisioning licenses when employees leave, so that only authorized users can access sensitive information.
That’s why it’s important to make sure that managing cloud security is a top priority for your organization.
Improved compliance is essential to reduce the risk of legal liabilities. SaaS management helps you track all the apps and their compliance status so you can show that you’re following the rules during audits.
You can read more about auditing in “SaaS Subscription Audits: A Necessary Routine Spring Cleaning for You.”
SaaS management makes it easier to be more efficient in how you operate. Automating processes for onboarding and offboarding employees, as well as managing renewals and licenses, makes it easier for IT teams to get things done.
Combining SaaS management with Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) really amplifies these benefits.
CASBs give you a clear picture of the data stored in the cloud and let you control it. This integration helps you manage all that stuff we call shadow IT.
Challenges Addressed by SaaS Management
One of the biggest challenges in managing SaaS applications is visibility. This visibility problem is becoming a common challenge in many companies.
If you don’t manage it properly, shadow IT—where departments buy and use SaaS apps without IT’s knowledge—can lead to some serious security and compliance issues.
According to BetterCloud’s 2021 State of SaaS report, more than half of the respondents (55%) said the biggest challenge in their SaaS environment is a lack of user activity and data visibility.
Also important is being able to track how the applications are being used. Many companies have trouble tracking how their employees use their apps, which can lead to inefficiencies and wasted resources.
Good SaaS management lets you track which SaaS tools employees use, how often they use, and how they affect productivity. This helps you make the most of your SaaS investments.
Gartner predicts in 2023, there will be around $197,288 million of global SaaS spending. That number is expected to rise in 2024 to around $232,296.
The number shows how hard it is for IT teams to keep track of all the apps in use.
On top of that, renewal management is pretty complex, especially when you’re dealing with multiple vendors.
SaaS management tools make this process easier by sending out alerts and giving you a clear picture of how much you’re using and how much it’s worth. This helps you make decisions about renewals.
Security and compliance are major issues that SaaS management frameworks help address by controlling how applications are used and accessed.
If you make sure all your SaaS apps comply with your company’s security policies and industry regulations, you’ll reduce the risk of data breaches and legal problems.
For another reference, kindly read “SaaS Gone Wild: Addressing the Challenges of Global SaaS Management.”
Successful SaaS Management Implementations: The Gong Case Study
Drift, a platform for conversational marketing, hit a wall when it came to sales processes during its rapid growth.
Before Gong, Drift’s sales team had a tough time keeping their pitches consistent and their pipeline reviews organized. This led to inefficiencies across the company.
Gong totally transformed Drift’s operations. We can see how Gong accelerated activities to Drfit in “Drift Uses Gong’s Goldmine of Data.”
First of all, Gong records and analyzes sales calls, provides consistent sales pitches, and makes onboarding for new reps a breeze.
This helped the sales team be more productive and accurate in their pipeline reviews, turning them into productive coaching sessions.
Gong’s insights also helped the product marketing team at Drift come up with better-targeted messaging and get real-time feedback on product launches.
Teams were able to work together better across departments because they shared customer insights and aligned their strategies.
Gong’s Deal Intelligence tools gave us a complete picture of deals, which helped us cut down on unproductive meeting times and make better strategic decisions.
How Octobits Become Your Supporting System of SaaS Management
Octobits can help you get a better understanding of how your SaaS applications are being used, how much they’re costing, and whether they meet your security standards.
With this knowledge, you can make sure you’re getting the most out of your SaaS investments, cut back on unnecessary costs, and keep your sensitive data safe.
Are you tired of surprise renewal costs? Octobits makes this process easy, so you get the most out of your investment.
And when it comes to security and compliance, Octobits has your back, keeping your data safe and making sure your SaaS usage aligns with industry regulations.
Another great thing about Octobits is it’s free for you until the end of December 2024. So, it’s time to learn about Octobits and see how it can help your business meet its goals.
Conclusion
In short, a well-planned SaaS management strategy will help you navigate the complexities of your software environment and turn challenges into opportunities.
As we can see, understanding why companies need SaaS management is key to navigating today’s dynamic IT landscape.
