Dealing with an increasing number of SaaS applications can be a major challenge for IT managers.

This situation can lead to inefficiencies, security risks, and skyrocketing costs. The complexity of managing numerous apps without adequate oversight can easily overwhelm your teams.

However, there are solutions available to tackle these issues effectively.

One option to address these challenges is a SaaS Management Platform (SMP). This platform helps by providing a centralised system to oversee all your SaaS applications. It allows IT managers to manage app usage, enhance security, and control costs more effectively.

Alongside other strategies and tools, SMPs can provide better control, enhance security, and help reduce unnecessary spending.

Today, we are going to discuss more about this software category. We’ll learn more about it’s features, benefits, and some tips on how to choose the right SMP software for your business.

So, without further ado, let’s get to it!

What is a SaaS management platform?

A SaaS Management Platform (SMP) is software designed to help organizations manage their cloud-based software applications.

It provides a centralised system that allows IT managers to discover, manage, and optimise both approved and unapproved SaaS applications within the company.

With an SMP, you can gain better visibility into app usage, enhance data security, and reduce unnecessary spending by identifying redundant or underused applications. It also helps automate routine tasks, making the management of SaaS apps more efficient and less time-consuming.

Overall, an SMP is a valuable tool for maintaining control over your organisation’s SaaS environment.

More in Nexalab’s blog: What Is Data Normalisation? Definition, Techniques, and Importance

What SaaS Management Platforms Can Do?

SaaS Management Platforms (SMPs) offer a comprehensive suite of features designed to streamline the management of cloud-based applications within organisations.

These powerful tools provide IT teams with enhanced visibility, control, and efficiency in managing their SaaS ecosystem. Let’s explore the key features that make SMPs an essential asset for modern businesses:

1. Application Discovery

SMPs automatically discover and catalogue all SaaS applications in use within an organisation. This includes both sanctioned applications—those approved by IT—and unsanctioned applications, often referred to as shadow IT.

This feature provides IT teams with a complete overview of their SaaS environment, helping them understand the total scope of software usage and manage it effectively. Using this approach, you can also identify potential security vulnerabilities and make better compliance with organisational policies.

2. Usage Monitoring and Analytics

SMPs track how you use applications, who’s using them, and what they cost. This shows you which subscriptions aren’t being used much and where you could save money.

You’ll see which apps are important and how they’re used, helping you spend wisely on software and assign resources better. This information also helps you decide on future purchases, distribute licences efficiently, and negotiate better with vendors.

In the end, you can streamline your SaaS portfolio, making sure each subscription is valuable and fits your organisation’s needs and budget.

3. Licence Management

SMPs make managing your SaaS licences much easier.

You’ll see all your licences in one place, which helps you avoid overpaying or keeping subscriptions you don’t need. You can quickly spot unused licences and cancel them, saving money.

When licences are about to expire, you’ll know in advance, so you don’t get stuck with automatic renewals for apps you’ve stopped using. It’s also easier to match the right licence type to each user, so you’re not paying for premium access when basic will do.

If your team changes, you can quickly reassign licences from departing employees to new hires. This clear view of your licences means you can cut waste, save money, and get the most out of your SaaS subscriptions.

Plus, when it’s time to renew, you’ll have solid data on usage to help you negotiate better deals with vendors.

4. Security and Compliance Management

Keeping your SaaS apps secure and compliant with regulations becomes much easier with SMPs.

You can easily control who has access to what, making sure employees only see the data they need for their job. If someone leaves your company, you can quickly cut off their access to all apps, reducing security risks.

The platform also helps you follow rules like GDPR or HIPAA by showing you where sensitive data is stored and how it’s being used. You’ll get alerts about potential security weak spots in your apps, so you can fix them before they become a problem.

When auditors come knocking, you’ll have clear records of who accessed what and when, making compliance checks much smoother. Essentially, you get a bird’s-eye view of your SaaS security, helping you spot and fix issues faster and keep your company’s data safe and in line with the law.

5. Centralised Workflow Automation

Managing SaaS apps often involves a lot of tedious tasks, but that’s where automation comes in handy.

With a SaaS management platform, you can automate many of these processes. When you hire someone new, the system can automatically set up their accounts in all the necessary apps, saving you from doing it manually.

Similarly, when someone leaves, you can shut down their access across the board with just a few clicks.

You won’t have to remember to renew subscriptions either; the system can handle that for you, making sure you don’t lose access to important tools. This automation frees up your IT team from spending hours on repetitive tasks. Instead of wasting time on admin work, they can focus on more important projects that actually move your business forward.

Basically, these SaaS management tools take care of the boring stuff, so you and your team can concentrate on what really matters.

How SaaS Management Platforms Can Help Your IT Management

Managing a growing number of SaaS applications can be a real headache for IT teams. That’s where SaaS Management Platforms (SMPs) come in, offering a range of tools to simplify and streamline your IT operations.

Here are some benefits they offer to make your IT management life easier:

• Visibility: You get a clear, bird’s-eye view of all the SaaS apps used in your organisation, including those you might not even know about. This means no more surprises from shadow IT. You’ll see who’s using what, how often, and at what cost. This allows you to make informed decisions about your software stack and avoid security risks from unknown apps.
• Cost Control: SMPs help you identify unused licences, redundant apps, and opportunities to negotiate better deals, potentially saving you a tonne of money. You can spot apps with overlapping functions and consolidate them. The platform can alert you to upcoming renewals, giving you time to evaluate if you really need that expensive subscription. With detailed usage data, you’re in a stronger position to negotiate with vendors.
• Security Enhancement: You can easily manage user access, spot potential security risks, and ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA. SMPs give you a central place to control who has access to what data. You can quickly revoke access when employees leave, reducing the risk of data breaches. The platform can also flag apps that don’t meet your security standards, helping you maintain a secure environment.
• Time Savings: Automate tedious tasks like user onboarding, offboarding, and licence management, freeing up your IT team for more strategic work. Instead of manually setting up accounts for new hires across multiple apps, an SMP can do it automatically. When someone leaves, you can shut down their access across all apps with a single click. This automation not only saves time but also reduces the chance of human error.
• Data-Driven Decisions: With detailed usage analytics, you can make informed choices about which apps to keep, upgrade, or ditch. You can see which features are actually being used in each app, helping you decide if you need that premium tier. Usage trends can show you which apps are becoming more popular and might need additional licences, or which ones are falling out of favour and could be phased out.

With SMPs, your IT management process will evolve from reactive to proactive. These platforms are more than tools; they’re partners in managing your SaaS ecosystem.

They help maintain security, ensure compliance, and control costs. You’ll gain insights to make informed decisions about your software investments, maximising value while safeguarding data. SMPs empower you to optimise your SaaS environment, converting challenges into opportunities for improved efficiency.

How to Choose SMP Platforms for Your Business

As you begin the process of finding a SaaS management platform for your organisation, it’s important to consider several key factors that will impact your decision.

Take the time to evaluate these aspects carefully.

1. Compatibility: Ensure the SMP integrates well with your existing IT infrastructure and the SaaS applications you currently use.
2. Discovery capabilities: Look for platforms that offer comprehensive discovery methods, including API connectors, browser extensions, and financial data integration.
3. Data analysis and reporting: Choose an SMP that provides detailed insights, licence dashboards, and actionable reports to help you make informed decisions.
4. Cost optimisation features: Seek platforms that can identify unused licences, redundant applications, and opportunities for consolidation to maximise your SaaS investments.
5. Security and compliance: prioritise SMPs that offer robust security features and help maintain compliance with relevant regulations.
6. User-friendly interface: Select a platform that’s intuitive and easy for your team to use, reducing the learning curve and improving adoption.
7. Scalability: Choose an SMP that can grow with your organisation and handle an increasing number of applications and users.

One SMP option to consider is Octobits by Nexalab.

Octobits is designed to provide comprehensive SaaS management capabilities, including discovery, cost optimisation, and security features. It offers a user-friendly interface and integrates with a wide range of SaaS applications. This software aims to help businesses of all sizes gain better control over their SaaS environments, reduce costs, and improve overall IT efficiency.

As with any SMP solution, it’s recommended to evaluate Octobits alongside other options to determine the best fit for your specific business needs and requirements.

More in Nexalab’s blog: What is SaaS Management? Definition, Implementation, and Best Practices

Conclusion

Choosing the right SaaS management platform is essential for optimising your organisation’s software ecosystem. A good SMP can significantly improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance security, giving you better control over your digital assets and helping you make informed decisions about your software investments.

Octobits by Nexalab offers a comprehensive solution to these challenges. With its advanced discovery capabilities, AI-driven cost optimisation features, and robust security measures, Octobits stands out as a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes.

Its user-friendly interface and scalable architecture ensure that you can effectively manage your SaaS environment, whether you’re a growing startup or an established enterprise.

Contact Nexalab today for a demo and discover how Octobits can help boost your tech stack ROI.