Afleveringen
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Big things are happening behind the scenes at SaaSMe Unfiltered! In this short update, Cory Wheeler shares why the podcast is taking a brief break, and what you can look forward to when we return this fall. Learn how to stay connected so you're the first to know when new episodes drop.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction0:19 SaaSMe Unfiltered Season 5 Update0:39 Ways to Stay Connected -
SaaS sprawl doesnât fix itselfâsmart operations do. Vlad Tsapko, VP of Business Operations at Insurity, breaks down how his team built a functional, data-driven SaaS Management program that reduces waste and supports business growth. In this episode, youâll hear why SaaS Ops is essential for managing big software spend, how data integrity supports smarter decisions, and why continuous improvement keeps the program effective over time.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to SaaS Operations
03:19 Defining SaaS Ops and Its Importance
05:35 Building a SaaS Management Program
07:31 Cost Savings and Budgeting Strategies
10:25 Establishing a SaaS System of Record
12:53 Data Integrity and Business Buy-In
15:40 Optimizing Renewals and Negotiations
17:17 Process for Renewal Preparation
19:11 Driving Value at Renewal
23:40 Vlad's Dream SaaS Ops Playbook
25:44 Lessons for the Future
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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How do you bring order to SaaS sprawl without killing innovation? Aaron Bass, IT Operations Analyst at Imagine Learning, shares how the Business Transformation team became âruckus makers for good,â driving structure, clarity, and true change management in a fast-growing, post-M&A environment. In this episode, youâll learn how to build a steering committee that actually works, why visibility and ownership matter more than control, and what it takes to make decentralized SaaS Management sustainable.
Chapters
00:00 Decentralized SaaS Ownership: A Double-Edged Sword
01:12 The Role of Business Transformation in SaaS Management
04:20 Ruckus Makers for Good: The Philosophy Behind Change
07:20 Integrating Organizational Change Management with SaaS
09:41 Establishing a Steering Committee for SaaS Oversight
12:28 Initial Focus and Priorities of the Steering Committee
13:39 C-Suite Involvement in SaaS Decision-Making
14:45 Key Data Points Driving Steering Committee Actions
17:07 Game Changers in Decentralized SaaS Management
17:38 Building a System of Truth for Effective Change Management
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When an audit flagged opportunities in Hyattâs software management program, Jennifer Clark used that as a launchpad to rethink SaaS governance from the ground up. Jennifer, Global IT Asset Manager at Hyatt Corporation, shares how consolidating data, understanding ownership, and embedding compliance into daily workflows turned audit preparedness into an always-on discipline. In this episode, youâll learn how to streamline your audit processes, build collaboration between security and asset management, and make governance a shared responsibility across the organization.
Chapters
00:00 The Catalyst for Change: Audit Findings03:07 Building a Proactive SaaS Management Mindset06:16 Navigating the Audit Landscape: On-Prem vs. SaaS08:59 Establishing a Comprehensive Application Inventory11:52 Collaboration and Governance in SaaS Management14:42 Key Performance Indicators for SaaS Management17:15 Strategic Steps for Effective SaaS Management -
After several attempts to launch a successful SaaS Management program, TJ Johnson recognized that the FinOps approach needed to shift. As Lead Architect for Platform Economics at MGM Resorts International, he shares how starting with visibilityâbefore diving into optimizationâhelped his team finally gain traction. In this episode, youâll learn the mindset change that made the difference, how to pick the right starting point, and what it really takes to make FinOps work for SaaS.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to FinOps and SaaS Challenges
01:51 Building a Software Management Program at MGM
05:46 Tactics, Data, and Prioritization
09:00 Implementing a New Software Intake Processes
11:48 Standardizing Data with FinOps FOCUS
14:39 Understanding the Differences Between Cloud and SaaS
17:54 Evolving FinOps Practices for SaaS
19:10 Making the Most of the FinOps Community
21:09 Closing Thoughts
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500+ applications. Stitched-together spreadsheets. No clear owners. Thatâs what Ksenia Kouchnirenko inherited when she joined Verkada as VP of Enterprise Operations & Technology. In this episode, she shares how she stood up a SaaS Management program from scratch to bring visibility, accountability, and strategy to software decisions. Youâll learn what it takes to start your own program, align stakeholders across IT and Procurement, and avoid early-phase pitfalls.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to SaaS Management01:30 Identifying Gaps in SaaS Management03:34 The Role of Procurement in SaaS Management05:49 Defining the Value of SaaS Management08:21 Importance of Visibility in SaaS Management09:38 People, Process, and Technology Framework11:34 The Role of Automation in SaaS Management13:45 Lessons Learned from Previous SaaS Management Experiences16:16 Advice for IT Leaders on SaaS Management -
What happens when a cloud FinOps expert takes on the unruly world of SaaS? Ridge Fussell, Senior Manager of FinOps at The Home Depot, reveals the surprising complexity behind managing SaaS at scaleâand why it's nothing like managing cloud. In this episode, learn why SaaS Management requires a different mindset and the first step you need to take to gain control and drive value.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction01:32 Understanding SaaS vs. Cloud Management07:44 The Home Depot's Partnership Approach to Change Management09:30 Identifying Gaps in SaaS Visibility15:34 Crawl, Walk, Run: Building a SaaS Management Program21:48 How to Get Started: Don't Try to Boil the Ocean -
When does Smartsheet renew? Are we getting a fair price for Zoom? Do we really need 100 enterprise licenses? Each SaaS renewal requires time to prepare so you can answer these questions â and more. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains SaaS renewal management and the ideal process you should follow to confidently tackle software renewals at scale.
Have a question youâd like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.
Key Takeaways:
[00:09 - 00:46] Helping with renewals[00:46 - 01:36] What is SaaS renewal management?[01:36 - 02:34] What is the ideal renewal process?[02:34 - 03:11] 120 days applies to most applications but there are exceptions[03:11 - 03:48] Determining quantity of licenses[03:48 - 04:27] Benchmark comparisons[04:27 - 04:59] Adding the agreement to your system of record[05:00 - 05:34] RecapSaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn here.
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License waste runs unchecked in most organizations today. In fact, Zyloâs SaaS Management Index shows that on average 49% of licenses are unused each month, adding up to $18M in wasted spend each year. Sure, money speaks. But this risk goes beyond your bottom line, impacting security, operational efficiency, and value across the business. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains the importance of SaaS license management and outlines what an effective strategy looks like and the steps for execution.
Have a question youâd like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.
Key Takeaways
[00:08 - 00:48] Organizations on average waste $18 million in SaaS licenses[00:48 - 02:26] What is SaaS license management[02:26 - 03:20] Decisions you need to make after obtaining usage data[03:20 - 04:34] How to reclaim SaaS licenses[04:34 - 05:05] RecapSaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn here.
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How many applications do we really have? What apps are being expensed by employees? Are there potential security risks we donât know about? Youâll get answers to these questions and more by practicing SaaS inventory management. In this episode, Ben Pippenger will explain the ins and outs of what it is, why it matters, and best practices you should follow.
Have a question youâd like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.
Key Takeaways
[00:00 - 00:51] Companies spend three times more on SaaS than they think they do[00:48 - 02:03] What is SaaS inventory management?[00:48 - 02:24] Unlocking the Secrets of SaaS Inventory Management[02:04 - 04:08] AI-powered discovery and strategic portfolio management, three tiers of apps to work through[04:08 - 05:36] Onboarding applications and managing inventory[05:37 - 06:17] Quick winsSaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn here.
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SaaS has shaken up the world of software and the lives of software asset management professionals everywhere. While it is daunting to wrap your arms around, SaaS is a gift in disguise â presenting SAM pros the opportunity to uplevel their careers. In fact, Joe Ryder, Senior Manager, Software Asset Management at McKesson, believes SAM has evolved to be a critical and strategic function in the enterprise. In this episode, Ryder reveals how software asset management pros can adapt their strategy to the cloud model, what they need to do differently when it comes to SaaS, and his prediction for what SAM looks like in five years.
Key Takeaways
[01:36 - 03:23] How SAM is ushering in a new era of accountability[04:13 - 06:22] Self-imposed and artificial barriers to adoption of SaaS management[09:48 - 10:58] AI and consumption level tracking[12:49 - 14:32] The growing iceberg of risk associated with individually expensed software and Shadow IT[21:42 - 24:36] The impact of attaching FinOps and SaaS to your infrastructure, and the impact on SAM practitioners[26:07 - 28:30] The next five years of SAMâMore collaboration with architecture and security, new risks as technology evolvesAbout Joe Ryder
Joe Ryder is the Sr. Manager of Software Asset Management at McKesson. He has more than 10 years of software asset management experience and was previously a member of the world-class SAM team at Salesforce. If youâre a SAM leader or practitioner, you may have come across him on LinkedIn, sharing his thoughts and tips on maturing a SAM practice and upleveling your career in SAM. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.
Want more great SaaS Management stories and content? Subscribe to our newsletter: https://zylo.com/newsletter-sign-up/
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Lloyd and Harry. Buzz and Woody. Romy and Michele. We all love a great dynamic duo. But, what about IT and Procurement? According to Steve McKenzie, the IT Supplier Management Lead at Zoetis, IT and Procurement are the dream team of SaaS Management. In this episode, learn why this partnership is so critical to the enterprise, how to overcome common obstacles to collaboration, and the pivotal role data plays in fostering strategic alliances.
Key Takeaways
[01:20 - 02:34] Speaking the same language between Procurement and IT[02:35 - 05:45] How aligning the procurement and IT relationship has benefitted Steve and his team at Zoetis[10:18 - 12:40] Partner reactions and surprise when seeing renewal data from Zylo[13:50 - 17:59] Managing AI internally at Zoetis, taking AI by the horns[18:01 - 19:49] Two types of tools, AI and current gen, making an investment in the future[19:50 - 24:04] Doing things better with SaaS management at Zoetis, doing your job well and showing value, addressing pain points[24:07 - 26:12] Steve's favorite appsAbout Steve McKenzie
Steve McKenzie is the IT Supplier Management Lead at Zoetis, the largest global animal health company. He has over 10 years of procurement and sourcing experience, with notable stops at KPMG and JP Morgan. Connect with Steve on LinkedIn.
Want more great SaaS Management stories and content? Subscribe to our newsletter: https://zylo.com/newsletter-sign-up/
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AI has incredible potential to drive value for your business, but it can be easy to get lost in the hype. With so many SaaS vendors now offering AI-powered features and products, how do you break through the noise? In this episode, Ben Pippenger shares the five essential questions you need to ask your current and prospective SaaS vendors about AI so you get the right tools that drive the right outcomes for your organization.
Have a question youâd like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.
Key Takeaways
[00:07 - 00:54] Asking the right questions about AI[00:54 - 01:13] Five table-stake questions to ask SaaS vendors about their AI-powered solutions[03:57 - 04:20] Thinking through questions about AI adoptionSaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn here.
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Securing buy-in from your executive team is the most important ingredient for a successful SaaS Management program. No one knows this better than Siroui Mushegian, CIO at Barracuda Networks. In this episode, discover Mushegian's approach to securing executive buy-in for SaaS Management, and how it's helping drive application rationalization, security, and innovation in the enterprise.
Key Takeaways
[01:31-6:05] Making SaaS Management a strategic priority[8:03-10:42] Sirouiâs simple 9-box strategy [10:46-16:24] The âwhatâs in it for meâ story and stakeholder interviews for application rationalization[20:57-21:38] Barracudaâs security playbook in partnership with CISO Riaz Lakhani[25:53-27:59] Funding new programs with tight budgetsAbout Siroui Mushegian
Siroui Mushegian is the CIO at Barracuda Networks, the worldwide leader in Email Protection, Application Protection, Network Security, and Data Protection Solutions. She has nearly 30 years of IT leadership experience, previously at notable enterprises like the NBA, Ralph Lauren, and Time Warner. To-date, Mushegian has helped build and implement two SaaS Management programs. Connect with Siroui on LinkedIn.
Want more great SaaS Management stories and content? Subscribe to our newsletter: https://zylo.com/newsletter-sign-up/
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When you don't know everything about a software application â or that it exists in the first place â itâs impossible to effectively manage renewals, optimize licenses, and implement governance. Today, leading organizations are flipping the script, using a SaaS Management platform (SMP) as their system of record to gain centralized visibility into every application. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains how you can prioritize and onboard apps into an SMP â and how to keep it up-to-date for the long-haul.
Have a question youâd like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.
Key Takeaways
[00:07 - 01:12] Setting up a SaaS system of record in three steps[01:10 - 02:03] The discovery process â the average organization has 269 applications, and using financial data to find app costs[02:03 - 02:35] On to onboarding[02:33 - 03:23] Prioritizing apps that are onboarded[03:23 - 04:26] A checklist to follow, alignment with owners[04:26 - 06:06] Gathering data and connecting partner sites to gather dataSaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn here.
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With hundreds of SaaS renewals a year, each with their own complexities, Procurement has its work cut out for them. But that didn't stop Brittney Linville, a tenacious and growth-minded U.S. Army veteran and procurement leader. In fact, she has not only built three procurement organizations from the ground up, but she created the gold standard for how to do it. From ditching spreadsheets and building strategic partnerships to streamlining procurement processes, Brittney dishes on how she executed at high velocity.
Key Takeaways
Building Strategic Partnerships: Brittney Linville emphasizes the importance of building relationships with key stakeholders, such as CIOs and CTOs, to understand their needs and align procurement strategies with organizational goals.Elevating Procurement: Linville discusses how she elevated the role of procurement to become a strategic partner by focusing on understanding the technology landscape, including SaaS, and aligning procurement processes with business objectives.High-Velocity Procurement: Despite being a team of one, Linville successfully managed hundreds of renewals by building a collaborative approach, leveraging technology integrations, and streamlining processes to increase efficiency.Tech Stack Optimization: Linville's tech stack included tools like Coupa for guided buying flows, Ironclad for contract lifecycle management, and Zylo for SaaS management. She emphasizes the importance of selecting tools that streamline processes and enhance user experience.Making Procurement Easier: Linville's approach focused on simplifying procurement processes to make them more user-friendly and efficient, reducing friction and encouraging compliance while minimizing the risk of shadow IT.Personal and Business Favorites: Linville's favorite personal SaaS application is Canva for its user-friendly design capabilities, while her preferred business app is Ironclad for its innovation in contract lifecycle management. -
A majority of IT leaders have prioritized security in 2024, yet the number of SaaS apps behind single sign-on is abysmal. As an IT or security leader, this is your sign to secure more of your applications with SSO. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains why single sign-on is critical to reducing risk and shares practical insights to create and implement your organization's SSO roadmap.
Have a question youâd like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.
Key Takeaways:
[00:07 - 00:45] Reducing security risks is a top concern in 2024[00:45 - 01:15] The definition of SSO (single sign on)[01:15 - 01:53] Minimizing phishing and security threats, an IBM data breach example[01:53 - 02:31] Visibility into your entire SaaS inventory[02:57 - 04:04] Technically and financially possible to enable SSOSaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn here.
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Double your insights and control with a combined SaaS Management Platform and Software Asset Management strategy. SAM tools excel at on-premises management, but SMPs uncover the invisible: longtail SaaS apps, shadow IT, and hidden risks. In this episode, Jason Owens, Sr. Director, Global ITAM at Salesforce, reveals the magic of using both an SMP and SAM tool â unparalleled visibility, cost optimization, and streamlined management you get using them together.
Key Takeaways
[03:05 - 05:41] Redefining roles of software asset managers in digital transformation[06:04 - 08:15] The evolution and impact of software asset management[08:16 - 10:21] Two different personas in SaaS today, thoughts on audits, renewals, license positions and more[10:26 - 13:28] The value challenge in software licenses[14:08 - 15:47] Navigating the value of SaaS management in enterprise-level software[15:50 - 17:33] Having both a traditional SAM solution and SaaS management solution[18:33 - 21:09] The strategic shift to proactive SaaS management at Salesforce[21:10 - 23:59] Measuring utilization and sprawl at Salesforce[24:03 - 26:46] Managing SaaS strategy for onboarding companies year over year[26:51 - 30:37] Harnessing AI for transformational asset management -
SaaS Management has become a fundamental business practice within the enterprise. Yet, many IT, software asset management, and procurement leaders are still wrapping their brains around what it is and how to do it successfully. In this episode, Ben Pippenger breaks down what SaaS Management is, its importance, and why now is the time to get started.
Have a question youâd like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.
Key Takeaways
[00:08 - 00:36] SaaS is fundamental, so how do we make SaaS management successful?[00:37 - 01:15] SaaS management is a holistic business practice, requires cross-functional collaboration[01:15 - 02:14] The problems SaaS management solves â visibility into tech stack, reductions in software spend, and governing shadow IT security risks[02:14 - 03:14] Wasting money and overspending on unused SaaS licenses[03:14 - 05:31] What does a SaaS management practice look like? Inventory management, license management, and renewal management[05:31 - 05:55] SaaS management is a holistic business practice that won't yield effective results when done piecemealSaaSMe Anything is the bi-weekly podcast that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, hosted by your resident SaaS expert and Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn here.
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To achieve operational excellence, save money, and drive innovation, IT leaders must have effective processes in place. But, whatâs the best approach? Look no further than Trenton Cycholl. As VP of Digital Business at ModMed, Trenton has a software management process on lock to not only reduce administrative burden for IT, but to also drive usage and adoption. In this episode, get an inside look at this process and how to crawl-walk-run your way to a successful SaaS Management program.
Key Takeaways
[06:26 - 07:42] Strategically aligned partnership with IT for go-to-market goals and customer experience goals[07:43 - 08:46] The innovation budget, what it looks like. A flywheel effect for supporting innovative culture and tools.[10:47 - 12:05] Legacy software practices and keeping up with the agile world of SaaS, a wakeup call to managing application inventory[16:40 - 17:18] Insights into the discovery exercise, emotions around specific applications[17:18 - 18:38] Balancing individual preference of needed tools, while reducing sprawl and inefficiency. Sometimes it isn't a balance.[20:16 - 21:44] Operationalized usage and adoption of tools, using Zylo to glean insights compared to what used to be cumbersome spreadsheets[23:39 - 25:08] The walk phase, what prevents successful license management, difficulty establishing inventory management[26:32 - 27:35] Finding out thousands of licenses are unused, a security and financial concern - Laat meer zien
