SaaSMe Unfiltered: The SaaS Management Podcast

Short Break, Big News: What’s Next for SaaSMe Unfiltered

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 12:08:05 -0400

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 Introduction
0:19 SaaSMe Unfiltered Season 5 Update
0:39 Ways to Stay Connected

SaaS Ops in Action: How Insurity Built a System That Works

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

SaaS sprawl doesn’t fix itself—smart 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, you’ll 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

How Imagine Learning Operationalized SaaS Change Management

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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 “ruckus makers for good,” driving structure, clarity, and true change management in a fast-growing, post-M&A environment. In this episode, you’ll 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

Inside Hyatt’s Plan for Continuous Software Audit Control

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

When an audit flagged opportunities in Hyatt’s 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, you’ll 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 Findings
03:07 Building a Proactive SaaS Management Mindset
06:16 Navigating the Audit Landscape: On-Prem vs. SaaS
08:59 Establishing a Comprehensive Application Inventory
11:52 Collaboration and Governance in SaaS Management
14:42 Key Performance Indicators for SaaS Management
17:15 Strategic Steps for Effective SaaS Management

Third Time's the Charm: How MGM Finally Cracked SaaS with FinOps

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:00:01 -0400

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 visibility—before diving into optimization—helped his team finally gain traction. In this episode, you’ll 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

Standing Up SaaS Management: A People, Process & Tech Blueprint

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

500+ applications. Stitched-together spreadsheets. No clear owners. That’s 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. You’ll 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 Management
01:30 Identifying Gaps in SaaS Management
03:34 The Role of Procurement in SaaS Management
05:49 Defining the Value of SaaS Management
08:21 Importance of Visibility in SaaS Management
09:38 People, Process, and Technology Framework
11:34 The Role of Automation in SaaS Management
13:45 Lessons Learned from Previous SaaS Management Experiences
16:16 Advice for IT Leaders on SaaS Management

From Chaos to Control: Applying FinOps Thinking to SaaS

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 07:00:01 -0400

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 scale—and 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 Introduction
01:32 Understanding SaaS vs. Cloud Management
07:44 The Home Depot's Partnership Approach to Change Management
09:30 Identifying Gaps in SaaS Visibility
15:34 Crawl, Walk, Run: Building a SaaS Management Program
21:48 How to Get Started: Don't Try to Boil the Ocean

SaaS Renewal Management, Explained

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0400

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 – 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 you’d 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] Recap

SaaSMe 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.

SaaS License Management, Explained

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 08:30:00 -0400

License waste runs unchecked in most organizations today. In fact, Zylo’s 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 you’d 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] Recap

SaaSMe 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.

SaaS Inventory Management, Explained

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 08:30:00 -0400

How many applications do we really have? What apps are being expensed by employees? Are there potential security risks we don’t know about? You’ll 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 you’d 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 wins

SaaSMe 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.

How SaaS Management Drives Career Wins and Business Impact for Software Asset Management Pros with Joe Ryder (McKesson)

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:30:00 -0400

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 – 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 SAM—More collaboration with architecture and security, new risks as technology evolves

About 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 you’re 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/

Building a Strong Partnership Between IT & Procurement, the SaaS Management Dream Team with Steve McKenzie (Zoetis)

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 08:36:00 -0400

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 apps

About 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/

What Questions Should I Ask My SaaS Vendors About AI?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 08:30:00 -0400

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 you’d 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 adoption

SaaSMe 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.

Securing Executive Buy-In for SaaS Management in the Enterprise with Siroui Mushegian (Barracuda Networks)

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 28 May 2024 13:01:49 -0400

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] Siroui’s simple 9-box strategy
[10:46-16:24] The “what’s in it for me” story and stakeholder interviews for application rationalization
[20:57-21:38] Barracuda’s security playbook in partnership with CISO Riaz Lakhani
[25:53-27:59] Funding new programs with tight budgets

About 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/

How Do I Set Up & Maintain A SaaS System of Record?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 21 May 2024 10:30:00 -0400

When you don't know everything about a software application – or that it exists in the first place – it’s 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 – and how to keep it up-to-date for the long-haul.

Have a question you’d 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 — 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 data

SaaSMe 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.

From Spreadsheets to Success: A Guide to High-Velocity SaaS Procurement with Brittney Linville (Zylo)

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 14 May 2024 08:30:00 -0400

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.

How Do I Secure More SaaS Apps Behind SSO?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 07 May 2024 08:30:03 -0400

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 you’d 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 SSO

SaaSMe 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.

Multiplying the Power of Software Management Using an SMP and SAM Tool with Jason Owens (Salesforce)

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

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 – 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

What Is SaaS Management?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 08:35:02 -0400

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 you’d 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 — 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 piecemeal

SaaSMe 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.

How to Crawl-Walk-Run Managing SaaS in IT with Trenton Cycholl (ModMed)

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:30:01 -0400

To achieve operational excellence, save money, and drive innovation, IT leaders must have effective processes in place. But, what’s 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

I’ve Unlocked Visibility into My SaaS Stack, What Do I Do Next?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 08:30:00 -0400

SaaS is often your biggest blindspot but also your greatest opportunity for optimization. As you embark on your SaaS Management journey, getting visibility is half the battle. Once you have it, what happens next? In this episode, Ben Pippenger breaks down five actions you can take to start making progress toward your strategic business goals.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:07 - 00:35] "With great power comes great responsibility"
[00:35 - 01:09] Five topics to unlock visibility into your SaaS stack
[01:07 - 01:41] Inventory Management
[01:39 - 02:18] Shadow IT
[02:18 - 02:50] Application Rationalization
[02:50 - 03:14] License Optimization
[03:14 - 04:08] Operationalizing your renewal process

SaaSMe 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.

Decoding SaaS Rationalization to Drive Cost Savings with Daniel Garcia (Coinbase)

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 08:33:00 -0400

How many applications, redundancies, and duplicative tools are in your stack? The sprawl and inefficiency is real, and the opportunity to optimize is massive. In this episode, learn how IT procurement and software asset management expert Daniel Garcia uses SaaS app rationalization as a key lever in Coinbase's cost reduction strategies. Discover how to align your sourcing approach with organizational outcomes and leverage data-driven decisions to optimize your software stack.

Key Takeaways

[00:00 - 02:39] Introduction to Daniel Garcia, and background at Coinbase leading IT procurement and SAM
[02:39 - 04:17] Aligning SAM strategy to overall company outcomes in the cryptocurrency industry
[04:18 - 06:02] Cost optimization and innovation, rationalization with software solutions
[06:01 - 08:26] Examining app redundancy, data-driven decisions driven by Zylo that enable better governance
[08:27 - 10:16] A clearer picture of SaaS use and data, thinking about the lifecycle of software
[10:20 - 13:12] Infrastructure and on-prem, a convergence of cloud similar to legacy SAM and SaaS coming together
[13:13 - 14:38] Processes and utilization data, fueling better negotiations in renewals
[16:17 - 18:19] The sacred cow of the product, avoiding deprecation as a necessary software
[18:18 - 20:57] What businesses miss out on by not taking care of low-hanging fruit software expenses, monumental savings in cost
[20:59 - 23:35] Managing different department software beyond IT, a robust process and building self-serve options
[23:35 - 26:11] The most surprising app or piece of technology Daniel has seen expensed

What Security Risks Lurk in My SaaS Stack and How Do I Mitigate Them?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400

It’s easy for cost to be top of mind when it comes to SaaS. After all, the average organization spends $45M a year. But there’s something else lurking in the shadows that is arguably costlier: security risks. In this episode, Ben Pippenger breaks down the security risks lurking in your stack and key steps to address them and strengthen your security posture.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:07 - 00:50] Introduction – 2024 SaaS Management Index found 65% of employee expenses have poor security scores
[00:50 - 01:17] Losing visibility into apps and how organizations conduct business
[01:18 - 01:38] Most unknown security risks lie with employee expenses and Shadow IT
[01:38 - 02:22] Cost is being managed, but security risks linger
[02:22 - 03:05] Cost, data breaches, and legal impact
[03:05 - 03:28] Loss of trust with customers
[03:26 - 03:56] Decentralization of SaaS buying, making a business secure
[03:55 - 04:35] Focused on visibility and risk

SaaSMe 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.

3 SaaS Management Opportunities for 2024 with Matt Harney (Cloud Ratings)

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 08:30:00 -0400

In 2023, organizations spent an average of $45M on SaaS. Yet, $18M of that is wasted. This isn’t chump change – it’s your second largest operating expense. That’s why we’re calling 2024 the year of opportunity for software management.

Between rampant license waste, heightened security risks, and surplus of renewals, it’s hard not to feel like you’re treading water. Add in rising vendor costs and tight budgets, and you’re soon gasping for breath.

In this episode, Zylo co-founder Ben Pippenger and Cloud Ratings founder Matt Harney examine trends from the 2024 SaaS Management Index and how IT, Software Asset Management, and Procurement leaders overcome these headwinds and come out on top.

Key Takeaways

[00:00 - 01:12] Episode overview, introducing guest Matt Harney from software research analyst firm Cloud Ratings on the state of SaaS stacks
[01:11 - 03:50] What to focus on in 2024, rallying behind SaaS management, and more on Matt's background
[03:51 - 04:36] Covering trends in the SaaS Management Index Report
[04:36 - 06:05] Employee purchases and "Shadow IT"
[06:05 - 07:04] Risk and spend are huge for SaaS, from cost and data perspectives
[07:02 - 07:49] Stacks are shrinking, prioritizing SaaS as a strategy
[07:49 - 08:58] Stats on SaaS rationalization
[08:58 - 10:47] Three key opportunities to calm SaaS chaos
[10:47 - 13:36] Matt talks about cloud cost optimization maturity throughout the years, trends he sees
[13:37 - 15:26] Different pricing models for software, and the rise of fin-ops
[15:28 - 16:34] What inning is SaaS management in?
[16:33 - 19:06] Cost per employee in SaaS and NRR
[19:08 - 20:05] NRR and pandemic bloat, a sign of digital transformation?
[21:04 - 22:42] Improving SaaS governance
[22:42 - 25:13] How Netflix is tackling SaaS governance
[25:13 - 26:09] Decentralization in SaaS, talking about Lindsay Stokes from Netflix and last season's episode
[26:09 - 27:05] Adopting AI
[27:05 - 29:05] The AI Interest Index
[29:06 - 30:25] Enabling employees to be responsible with SaaS purchasing

How Do I Get My Arms Around Shadow IT and Eliminate It for Good?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:35:02 -0400

Shadow IT makes up more than one-third of your software stack. While it is a source of overspending, inefficiency, and security risks, the biggest problem is that you don’t even know what apps you’re dealing with. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains how enterprises can get a handle on shadow IT and keep it from creeping back into their software environment.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:07 - 00:28] We're all spending too much on software, Gartner predicts 25% overspend throughout next few years
[00:26 - 00:44] Three areas of focus for rationalization, today's focus is Shadow IT
[00:42 - 01:03] What is Shadow IT?
[01:21 - 01:47] SaaS notoriously hides expense reports under ambiguous line items that are miscatergorized
[01:45 - 02:21] Uncover the spend source for each application
[02:19 - 02:47] After buy-in, put governance in place
[02:46 - 03:08] Adobe and a dollar threshold filter
[03:07 - 03:17] Standardize software catalog
[03:18 - 03:37] Take action to eliminate Shadow IT applications
[03:36 - 03:55] What to do without enterprise agreements
[03:55 - 04:18] Don't let Shadow IT creep back in
[04:18 - 04:52] Reducing Shadow IT reduces overall SaaS cost

SaaSMe 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.

Season 4 Coming Soon: Shake Off the Status Quo and Say Hello to Your SaaS Management Era

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Can I Use Software Asset Management Tools to Manage SaaS?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 09:33:00 -0500

With SaaS adoption skyrocketing in recent years, Software Asset Management leaders are juggling both on-premises and SaaS tools. But what worked for on-premises software simply won't work for SaaS. Managing both types of software demands distinctly different tools and strategies. In this episode, Ben Pippenger breaks down the key differences and shares the winning formula for holistic SaaS management.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:08 - 02:01] The software lifecycle from IT to individual Shadow IT, and where software spend is headed
[02:01 - 03:04] Managing SaaS, audits don't really exists with SaaS and the cloud shift
[03:28 - 03:42] SaaS management in three acts: license management, inventory, and renewal management
[03:40 - 04:25] Inventory management
[04:25 - 04:59] Multiple discovery methods and Zylo's method
[04:59 - 05:30] License management
[05:30 - 05:57] Renewal management
[05:55 - 06:20] A broader approach to tracking SaaS

SaaSMe 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.

What Should I Consider When Purchasing SaaS in Cloud Marketplaces?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:04:00 -0500

Do I Really Need a Direct Integration for SaaS Usage Data?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 09:30:00 -0500

How well are your SaaS apps being used? If you don’t have access to usage data, you’re left in the dark. And that means there’s no way to effectively optimize licensing or make the most of your software investments. In this episode, Ben Pippenger debunks the myth that direct integrations reign supreme and how to get usage data you can act upon.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:21 - 01:07] Gartner — Companies spending $244 billion on SaaS in 2024, 2023 SaaS index shows that $82 billion of that is wasted
[01:08 - 01:37] The importance of usage data
[01:36 - 01:56] Pure cost savings, understanding the value of SaaS applications used in your business[]
[01:56 - 02:12] Rationalizing overlapping applications
[02:18 - 02:44] A risk factor, understanding where you're over licensed and people no longer need access
[02:44 - 03:06] Definition of a direct integration
[03:06 - 03:35] Regularity in data flow, always up to date without needing an admin to pull it
[03:35 - 04:39] Out of the box insights, drawbacks
[04:37 - 05:08] A direct integration for usage data, not necessary and other ways exist to gather like SSO
[05:06 - 05:45] SSO a great way for quick visibility, drawbacks include data misrepresentation
[05:42 - 06:02] API connections for data gathering
[06:00 - 06:28] Admin panels
[06:27 - 06:52] Report imports
[06:51 - 07:21] SaaS app automation
[07:19 - 08:13] In review: ask questions about data and direct integrations

SaaSMe 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.

What Should Procurement Focus on in 2024 When It Comes to Software Management?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 09:30:00 -0500

Tightening budgets. Soaring SaaS prices. The rise of purchasing software in marketplaces. With these shifts, Procurement has their work cut out for them. But there’s a huge opportunity for procurement leaders to be strategic business partners when it comes to software purchasing and renewals. In this episode, Ben Pippenger shares his optimism for Procurement and what teams need to prioritize in 2024.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:07 - 01:01] Recapping SaaS trends in 2023
[01:01 - 01:21] Gartner predicts 13% raise in software spending in 2024
[01:19 - 01:41] Zylo data shows companies averaged $45-50 million in spend for SaaS and had about 270-291 applications
[01:40 - 02:20] How teams buy software is changing, more common through marketplaces now
[02:20 - 02:34] An accelerated interest in AI
[02:34 - 02:46] What should procurement be focused on in 2024
[02:47 - 03:18] Rationalizing your applications
[03:18 - 03:56] Prioritizing SaaS governance
[03:54 - 04:36] Make procurement part of the intake process
[04:37 - 05:17] Forecasting renewals at least quarterly
[05:24 - 05:54] Collaborate with IT and software asset management teams
[05:54 - 06:22] Episode summary

SaaSMe 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.

What Should IT Focus on in 2024 When It Comes to Software Management?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Whether you call them resolutions or goals, setting your intentions for what you want to achieve for the year creates accountability. For IT leaders, there are a lot of shiny objects. What initiatives are going to make an impact this year? In this episode, Ben Pippenger uncovers five key priorities your IT organization needs to focus on 2024.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:07 - 02:23] Ben overviews a tough 2023: the economy, global politics, generative AI, and security breaches
[02:24 - 03:15] #1 Become best friends with your CFO, cost optimization
[03:15 - 04:05] #2 Centralizing SaaS governance
[04:06 - 04:31] #3 Rationalizing your portfolio
[04:31 - 05:08] #4 Stay ahead of security risks
[05:09 - 06:05] #5 Making big tech bets, navigating AI
[06:06 - 06:42] Big bets in 2024, Ben's 2023 wrap-up

SaaSMe 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.

How Does SaaS Management Fuel Innovation?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 09:30:01 -0500

Innovation is key to differentiating your organization in the market and helping you better serve your customers. Yet, it can feel impossible to find the budget to fund it. Enter SaaS management. In this episode, Ben Pippenger shares how SaaS management enables you to drive measurable cost savings that you can use to reinvest in innovation and projects that will be transformational for the business.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:11 - 01:08] Thinking about our personal and professional expenses
[01:10 - 01:37] SaaS can be chaos
[01:38 - 02:12] SaaS is ripe for optimization
[02:15 - 02:26] SaaS prices are going up
[02:26 - 02:45] IT Spending is growing
[02:45 - 03:18] Finding money to innovate, driving optimization and efficiency
[02:58 - 03:52] How to drive optimization and efficiency
[03:52 - 04:27] Digging deep on phone service savings, an anecdote
[04:26 - 05:06] AI innovations, by 2026 80% of software will have embedded AI capabilities
[05:07 - 05:25] Summing it up

SaaSMe 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.

Why Aren’t Companies Optimizing SaaS Like They Are Infrastructure?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 09:30:00 -0500

Companies spend a lot on Infrastructure and even more on SaaS. Yet, the market has seen Cloud growth drop dramatically. Clearly, companies have prioritized optimization of their cloud investments. Why aren’t they putting the same emphasis on SaaS optimization? In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains three reasons why, the opportunity at-hand for SaaS cost reduction, and his rallying cry for SaaS management as a business priority.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:08 - 01:03] Cloud spend run on Zylo, cost savings and visibility
[01:03 - 01:35] Cloud management platforms history
[01:35 - 02:22] FinOps provides predictability and visibility, decreases in growth rate
[02:23 - 03:00] Gartner spend forecast, infrastructure, platform, software as services
[03:00 - 03:36] Why aren't businesses optimizing their SaaS?
[03:35 - 04:08] Scale and cloud complexity
[04:08 - 04:49] Cloud optimization and culture
[04:48 - 05:21] Ben's software optimization challenge for you

SaaSMe 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.

How Much Application Redundancy Is Ok?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 09:30:00 -0500

Redundant applications get a bad rap. Between wasted spend, low adoption, and operational inefficiencies, you’d think eliminating all redundancies would be the answer. Think again. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains when application redundancy may be ok, factors to consider in your strategy, and best practices to consolidate your software.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:08 - 01:08] Introduction, Ben has a lot of streaming subscriptions, addressing redundancy
[01:11 - 01:47] What is application redundancy, and what are the biggest culprits?
[01:47 - 02:22] Why is app redundancy so prevalent?
[02:22 - 03:05] The difficulties of resolving redundancies
[03:04 - 03:36] Determining the right amount of redundancy for your organization
[03:36 - 04:33] Considerations for tackling organization redundancy, the scope of the problem
[04:33 - 05:04] Features and functionality, app preferences and favoritisms
[05:29 - 06:04] Steps to rationalize the redundant apps in your stack
[06:04 - 06:18] Understanding app value and their ROI and importance to business objectives
[06:18 - 06:42] Anecdotal data and feedback about apps from end users
[06:40 - 07:03] Identify what you can eliminate, consolidate, and replace
[07:03 - 07:20] Utilization usage rates in understanding what to remove
[07:18 - 07:47] The big takeaway on redundancy

SaaSMe 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.

How Do I Tie Savings Back to My SaaS Management Program?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 08:30:00 -0400

Optimizing your SaaS spend has a tangible impact on your company’s bottom line and ability to innovate. If you’re not reporting on the value you’re driving, you’re doing your company – and yourself – a disservice. In this episode, Ben Pippenger breaks down the growing need for managing SaaS costs, why quantifying program value is so hard, and what you need to tie savings results directly back to your efforts.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:12 - 02:06] Introduction to tying savings back to a SaaS management program
[02:06 - 03:08] A growing need for managing SaaS costs, and a huge opportunity to optimize
[03:08 - 04:40] The challenges of quantifying SaaS management's value
[04:42 - 05:19] Cross-functional support and political support
[05:18 - 06:04] Identify, quantify, and capture savings
[06:04 - 06:26] Takeaway: Savings achieved from implementing a SaaS management program

SaaSMe 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.

Keith Sarbaugh: Leading Enterprise SaaS Management as a CIO in Pharma

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:30:00 -0400

With 20+ years of IT experience, Keith Sarbaugh has led SaaS management at some of the biggest names in pharma – Eli Lilly & Co, Biogen, and now Zoetis. What’s his secret for driving impact at scale with the business complexities of a pharmaceutical company? In this episode, Sarbaugh lets us in on his enterprise SaaS management strategy, indelible moments that shaped his career, and the biggest opportunities for IT teams in the year ahead.

Key Takeaways

[00:00 - 02:29] Introducing Keith Sarbaugh, CIO at Zoetis
[02:41 - 04:33] Getting the right people, team, and engagement
[04:33 - 05:35] OpEx management, and why cost-savings is so important to Keith's mission
[05:35 - 07:56] What holds companies back from getting control of SaaS and innovating quickly
[07:56 - 09:12] Keith's strategy for delivering value and ROI quickly
[09:13 - 11:09] Common challenges and overcoming them, navigating resistance and discipline
[11:09 - 12:52] Boom and bust cycles with pipeline, being 100% on top of renewals
[12:51 - 14:29] Renewing with intelligence and a business processes.
[14:27 - 15:52] Intelligence means knowing utilization and entitlements
[16:46 - 17:59] Keith's "oh shit moment" with SaaS licensing and spend
[18:01 - 22:53] Partnerships vs revenue plays, a renewal experience that shifted Keith's perspective
[22:55 - 24:46] Licensed usage and waste, taking a programmatic approach
[24:53 - 27:03] Sprawl and finding value with their tools, making sure enterprise knows what is in house
[27:03 - 28:26] Biggest opportunities for CIOs during a tumultuous economy and post-pandemic environment
[28:26 - 30:41] Rapid fire

How Do I Optimize My Zoom Licenses?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 09:31:00 -0400

Just as “Googling” has assimilated into our vernacular, it’s not uncommon for someone to say, “Let’s Zoom,” when asking to video chat. Soaring into popularity during the pandemic, Zoom has become an integral tool for businesses today. It’s also an application ripe for optimization. In this episode, Ben Pippenger examines the complexities of SaaS licensing, the ins and outs of Zoom licensing, and advice for optimizing your Zoom licenses.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:08 - 00:33] Overview of Today's Episode: How do I optimize my Zoom Licensing"
[00:36 - 00:58] Understanding the complexity of SaaS licenses
[00:58 - 01:25] Two steps to thinking about SaaS licensing, access and utilization
[01:25 - 01:53] Tying data back to renewals and the opportunity to optimize licenses
[01:54 - 02:56] Zoom application licensing and utilization example
[02:56 - 03:24] Zoom's subscription tiers and add-ons
[03:24 - 04:26] Optimizing your Zoom licensing
[04:26 - 04:52] Often employees aren't aware of different license types
[04:52 - 05:34] Bottom Line on SaaS Licensing: It's complex

SaaSMe 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.

Dylan Margonari: How to Win at Renewals Amid Skyrocketing SaaS Costs

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 09:30:00 -0400

SaaS suppliers are increasing prices at mind-boggling percentages on a spend category that’s already through the roof. That makes getting a favorable renewal feel like a losing scenario. But according to procurement pro and SaaS negotiator Dylan Margonari, there are ways to find a win. In this episode, Margonari delves into how to prepare for your upcoming renewals, the big gotchas in SaaS contracts, and tactics to mitigate the one-two punch of those steep price increases.

Key Takeaways

[00:00 - 02:20] Introducing Dylan Margonari
[02:25 - 03:15] From hockey to procurement
[03:15 - 04:12] Dylan's passion for helping customers on their SaaS journeys
[04:13 - 06:35] What makes SaaS renewals challenging, from Dylan's perspective and experience in procurement
[06:35 - 08:54] Data is a gold mine in procurement, utilization metrics and beyond
[08:54 - 10:31] Executive buy-in for standardizing tools
[10:32 - 14:46] The 'gotchas' of renewals
[14:47 - 16:18] Single-year renewals vs multi-year agreements, the greatest debate in procurement today
[16:23 - 19:08] How Dylan partners with customers to think about and define success
[19:15 - 22:23] The changing landscape of the market and how it is impacting procurement
[23:22 - 26:12] Executing great negotiation that drivers a good partnership, considerations for headcount
[26:13 - 27:41] Ghosting, leaving a vendor without response and calling it quits
[27:58 - 29:05] The most underrated negotiation tactic
[29:05 - 30:48] Price increases, partnership approaches
[30:48 - 33:01] New scenarios in renewals and negotiations, new pricing models and timing with negotiations
[33:02 - 36:04] Getting a budget approval, supporting people through renewal processes is a team effort
[36:03 - 38:55] Looking for partnerships and relationships built on credibility and expertise
[38:55 - 40:19] Align with your executive team, the one thing procurement leaders can start doing today
[40:22 - 42:19] Rapid fire & Closing

What Is SaaS Governance & How Do I Implement It?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 08:30:00 -0400

SaaS governance often feels like a four-letter word, yet it’s critical to mitigate risk. The challenge is finding the right balance that enables productivity and innovation without putting your organization in harm’s way. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains SaaS governance, why it’s important, and how to determine the right strategy for your organization.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:42 - 03:36] Defining SaaS governance, and four reasons it is importance to businesses
[03:36 - 04:55] A decentralized approach to SaaS governance
[04:55 - 05:45] Centralized governance
[05:47 - 07:47] A hybrid approach, pros and cons
[07:47 - 08:18] Determining the best approach for your business
[08:19 - 09:31] AbbVie and SaaS governance in action
[09:31 - 10:08] The big takeaway, and a deeper dive in Evolving Your SaaS Governance Framework for the Digital Workplace

SaaSMe 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.

Gibson Schnurr: How to Start a SaaS Management Program as a Small But Mighty IT Team

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 08:30:02 -0400

Rome wasn’t built in a day – and neither is your SaaS management program. Yet it can often feel intimidating to get started, especially for smaller teams. Did this deter the IT team at Juni from getting started? Not a chance! They accepted the challenge, confident in the results it could garner for the business. In this episode, Gibson Schnurr, TechOps Lead, shares an inside look at Juni’s path to SaaS management and how they’re tackling SaaS head-on and ramping up their program.

Key Takeaways

[00:00 - 02:05] Introducing Gibson Schnurr, a stakeholder-focused application manager
[02:16 - 05:55] Laying the groundwork for SaaS management early at Juni
[05:56 - 08:17] Going from 500 to 100 applications company-wide, and how Gibson framed switching tooling beyond a monetary perspective
[08:16 - 10:38] The application lifecycle for products internally at Juni
[10:38 - 14:31] What Gibson's day-to-day was like before using a SaaS management platform
[14:31 - 15:53] Opening up potential for more strategic work
[15:56 - 17:31] Gibson's experience thinking about SaaS strategically, his "oh shit" moment for realizing a tool was needed
[17:31 - 19:38] Gibson's advice to those starting their SaaS journey is to follow the money
[20:33 - 23:23] Managing partial data and the frustration of manually recording a system of record
[23:23 - 26:37] The biggest insight Zylo has offered for Gibson is cost savings
[26:37 - 28:12] Clear opportunities with Zylo in mitigating risk and remaining compliant
[28:11 - 29:30] Metrics for success, defined metrics are still developing
[29:30 - 30:39] How Gibson uses the time back for refocusing strategy for IT
[30:38 - 32:57] SaaS negotiation and Juni's experience with the service
[32:57 - 35:00] Scaling licensing, the value of Tory
[35:03 - 36:20] Working with established processes, goals for the upcoming year
[36:23 - 38:18] Gibson's advice for others getting started with SaaS
[38:18 - 40:41] Rapid Fire

What’s an Effective Strategy to Manage My SaaS Renewals?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 08:30:00 -0400

For many procurement pros, managing SaaS renewals can feel like navigating a black diamond slope with one ski. Without the right equipment, you’ll finish the run with bumps and bruises – if at all. Likewise, organizations often fall short with renewals due to a lack of process, resources, and data. In this episode, you’ll uncover common challenges with renewals, what a scalable process looks like, and how to prioritize where to spend your time.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:07 - 01:15] Introduction: What's an effective strategy to maintain SaaS renewals?
[01:28 - 03:49] Wendy the Procurement Leader, and her struggle to manage SaaS renewals
[03:53 - 05:59] Operationalize your SaaS, tools and questions for a more effective strategy
[05:59 - 07:19] Prioritizing what to tackle in your SaaS management journey
[07:19 - 07:39] A spreadsheet is the bare minimum

SaaSMe 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.

Shravya Ravi: Building Your Personal Brand as a Software Asset Management Leader

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0400

“Execute with precision and lead with a vision” is the mantra Shravya Ravi lives and breathes as a software asset management leader. From supporting software management strategies as a consultant at Deloitte to leading an innovative SaaS management program today at LinkedIn, Shravya is a powerhouse. In this episode, she shares the secrets to building your personal brand as a SAM leader – no matter your rank in the organization – and driving significant change and business results.

Key Takeaways:

[00:00 - 02:08] Introduction to Shravya Ravi
[02:20 - 05:01] How Shravya's background in consulting at Deloitte shaped her career path to leading SAM at LinkedIn
[05:01 - 06:55] The mindset SAM leaders need for the job going forward
[06:59 - 08:50] When Shravya realized SAM was multifaceted and more than on-prem
[08:51 - 12:08] Missteps in SaaS operations, no standardized way of running a SaaS program
[12:13 - 13:57] What skillsets are important for SaaS-minded SAM leaders considering innovative futures?
[13:59 - 16:43] Growing a personal brand within a company culture and inspiring trust
[18:01 - 19:58] Conveying strategy to partners and leadership: base skills, company culture, and expectations around outcomes
[19:58 - 22:06] Creating successful SaaS programs and enabling executive and functional leader sponsorship
[22:08 - 24:26] Prioritizing visibility in SaaS management, finding under-utilization and saving spend
[27:18 - 28:44] Education plans and steps taken to drive change management and app consolidation
[28:44 - 30:05] SaaS management can't be a one-person show, advice for testing pilot programs
[30:06 - 31:33] Where SAM is headed next as an industry and a practice
[31:35 - 33:18] Rapid Fire & Closing

How Do I Accurately Budget for SaaS?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 08:30:04 -0400

Overages, true-ups, rogue software purchases, and rising SaaS costs are just a few wrenches that can throw off your software budget. To meet your financial goals, it’s important to forecast your SaaS expenditure as accurately as possible – especially since it’s often your second or third largest spend category. In this episode, Ben Pippenger shares what steps you need to take to accurately budget for SaaS.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways:

[00:09 - 00:34] Introduction: Why is budgeting so hard for SaaS?
[00:38 - 01:05] SaaS is expensive, and spend is only growing
[01:05 - 01:58] Why is budgeting for SaaS so hard?
[01:59 - 02:33] Inventory is the first step to a SaaS budget
[02:31 - 04:02] Factors that impact budgeting
[04:03 - 05:04] Understanding spend and benchmarking
[05:06 - 05:39] Recap
[05:39 - 05:58] Bottom Line

SaaSMe 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.

Steve Gentry: Why CISOs Need to Drop the Chicken Little Mentality & Focus on Being Business Leaders

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:28:15 -0400

With all the potential threats to your organization, it’s easy to fall victim to the Chicken Little mentality. But expounding “the sky is falling” only drives you further from your security goals. That’s why seasoned Chief Information Security Officer Steve Gentry believes security leaders must be business leaders first. In this episode, Steve explains this philosophy, the importance of data over opinions, and how to drive efficiency across your organization with SaaS.

Key Takeaways:

[00:00 - 01:47] Introduction to Steve Gentry, CISO at Clari, and many-time founder
[01:58 - 04:23] How Steve got started in security at an IS service desk
[04:25 - 08:24] What's required to be a good CISO beyond the standard job description? Discussing Steve's business savvy.
[08:26 - 13:35] Why data is greater than opinion and how it helps Steve support more strategic operations
[13:41 - 18:16] Steve's go-to data sources and tools, and the role of data to a company
[18:16 - 22:38] Driving business alignment with executives using data
[22:38 - 25:43] Building a foundation for success with data, and recognizing growth with operational efficiencies
[26:43 - 31:10] Agility, and why Steve's gone all in on SaaS management tools instead of running off manual tracking and spreadsheets
[31:17 - 34:22] Third party risk management, why is it so strategic to most businesses?
[34:22 - 38:28] Staying on top of the entirety of risk management, security. How great vendors and other resources simplify the process
[38:29 - 41:03] A focus on diligence, leveraging insights and automations in SaaS management
[41:01 - 44:22] Should CISOs report directly to a company's CEO?
[44:22 - 46:12] Mentorship and what future CISOs need to do to prepare for the next step in their career
[46:17 - 49:23] Rapid fire questions and closing

How Do I Leverage Price Caps in My SaaS Contracts?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 07:00:04 -0400

If you feel like software is costing you more and more, it’s not a figment of your imagination. It’s a real phenomenon – and according to Gartner will continue at a rate of 15-20% annually. How do you curb steep and unexpected price increases at renewal time? Set a price cap in your SaaS contract. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains what price caps are, why they’re important, and tips to determine the best price cap for your business.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways:

[00:08-00:29] Introduction
[0:29-01:18] What is a price cap?
[01:19-01:41] What a price cap covers
[01:42-02:09] Potential risks to consider
[02:11-03:09] How you can leverage the right price cap
[04:16-04:37] If you’re NOT negotiating Saas price caps, you should be

SaaSMe 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.

SaaS Management: Must-Have or Nice-to-Have, That Is the Question

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 07:00:02 -0400

If you’re wondering whether SaaS management is a must-have or nice-to-have, you’re not alone. As we look back at our guests from the past few seasons, each one has had a unique journey finding the answer for themselves. In this episode, we’ve compiled some of our favorite SaaSMe Unfiltered moments – stories of stumbling through “oh shit” moments, building a business case and how SaaS management became a priority.

Key Takeaways:

[01:58 - 04:34] Karen Hodson on getting the right data
[05:19 - 06:59] Lindsay Stokes on the importance of visibility for SaaS management
[07:36 - 10:51] Jason Owens big "Oh Crap!" moment
[11:27 - 13:46] Chris Asing on achieving visibility and optimization
[14:18 - 16:25] David Stoicescu on why starting a SaaS management program early can give you a headstart
[17:33 - 20:21] Russell Lester on opportunity for finance leaders
[21:03 - 25:18] Gordon Atkin on must-have components for effective SaaS management

How Do I Get My CFO to Say 'Yes' to SaaS Management?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 08:30:01 -0400

SaaS management is not just a function of IT. It requires a partnership with Finance to be a successful business-led initiative. But sometimes it can be daunting to approach your CFO to get buy-in. In this episode, you’ll learn why SaaS is a challenge for CFOs, the importance of getting them on board, and a blueprint of the business case to get your CFO to say ‘yes’ to a SaaS management platform.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways

[00:07 - 01:11] Saying "Yes" to SaaS management, and introducing Jason Leet
[01:15 - 04:48] Ben outlines five key challenges in SaaS management for CFOs
[05:00 - 06:28] Jason shares examples and pain points with SaaS
[06:32 - 08:06] How CIOs and CFOs can work together to solve SaaS management problems
[08:12 - 18:04] Roleplaying a conversation between an IT leader and CFO about SaaS management approval

SaaSMe 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.

Russell Lester: From Gatekeeper to Strategic Advisor – How a New Breed of CFO Is Driving Business Impact

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

CFOs are no longer just financial gatekeepers. They’ve evolved into strategic advisors that drive impact and alignment across the organization. Today, three-time CFO Russell Lester is living and breathing this elevated role. In this episode, Russell shares his secrets to leveling-up as a CFO, what it takes to build a successful partnership with IT, and how he’s driving business results with SaaS management.

Key Takeaways:

[00:00 - 01:56] Introduction to Russell Lester, CFO at Versapay
[02:04 - 06:14] Driving change in the business as a CFO in the macroeconomy
[06:13 - 09:05] The people and tools that put information in context
[09:06 - 11:37] The skills financial and procurement professionals need to thrive
[11:41 - 15:43] Identifying SaaS management as a business priority
[15:44 - 18:46] How Russell works with IT as a CEO
[18:53 - 21:15] SaaS management's shift from IT to finance, working together
[22:16 - 24:05] The hardest part about building a relationship with IT
[24:06 - 26:09] Fear and lack of understanding about bringing partners into SaaS management
[26:10 - 28:22] Compelling business investments and looking for what supports the company plan
[28:29 - 30:55] Russell's role as the final approval for SaaS purchases
[30:56 - 34:03] Tools and processes that support procurement responsibilities
[34:04 - 35:44] What indicates your team is ready for procurement?
[35:45 - 37:36] "Assimilating my neural network"
[37:35 - 42:10] Rapid fire
[39:10 - 40:11] Russell's favorite SaaS apps

Do I Need a Separate Procurement Intake System for Software?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 08:30:00 -0400

At face value, Procurement intake looks relatively straightforward. Yet the complexity of the decision making process can often make it arduous. With as much as 40% of spend going toward SaaS purchases, it’s not surprising that Procurement wants to ease the burden. But is a separate system just for software worth it? In this episode, Ben Pippenger explores the challenges of intake and the best strategy to address it.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways:

[00:07 - 01:03] Demystifying software and procurement intake, and its importance to business
[01:04 - 02:07] What is intake, and why can wrangling data be challenging?
[02:07 - 02:53] What data is needed to make a decision? Compliance, risk, ROI and more
[02:53 - 03:55] The intake process is used for more than just SaaS
[03:58 - 04:32] What you should be considering from a SaaS perspective
[04:33 - 05:20] Injecting data into your workflow engine
[05:20 - 05:42] Episode recap

SaaSMe 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.

Ash Rai: Ask Me Anything with the Architect of Adobe's Software Management Program

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Looking for insights and best practices from a successful software management team? You don’t want to miss this episode with Ash Rai, who helped build the successful software asset management program at Adobe. Recorded live at SaaSMe 2023, Ash shares his lessons learned and answers attendees' burning software management questions.

Key Takeaways:

[00:00 - 02:56] Introduction to Adobe's Ash Rai and the company's SaaS management program
[02:57 - 06:19] Identifying a need for a SaaS solution
[06:22 - 08:13] Scaling Nestware and working with partners to flexibly manage SaaS at Adobe
[08:14 - 11:53] Going from 2,600 to 400 standardized applications
[12:53 - 15:03] Values and savings from using Zylo and a SaaS management program
[15:03 - 17:33] Adobe's SAM journey is never complete
[17:38 - 19:07] How many people Ash had on his team when implementing the program
[19:10 - 20:28] Executive sponsorship and governance
[20:30 - 22:02] Managing the procurement process with automations

How Should I Think about FinOps and SaaS Management?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 08:30:01 -0400

Managing Cloud and SaaS costs is a never-ending game. While a hard-to-control spend category, a FinOps practice can drive accountability and reduce costs without slowing down your business. Sounds a lot like SaaS management, right? That’s because they’re both founded on similar principles. In this episode, learn how these business practices align and how they can work together to drive business impact.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways:

[00:35 - 01:20] FinOps and how it relates to SaaS management
[01:22 - 02:19] The definition(s) of FinOps
[02:23 - 03:48] Principles of FinOps, best practices
[03:51 - 04:49] FinOps Foundation and their State of FinOps 2023 report

SaaSMe 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.

Nick Mehta: Extracting Business Value from Your SaaS through Strategic Provider Relationships

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

What value are you truly getting out of your SaaS applications? Nick Mehta, CEO at Gainsight, knows all too well how important it is to drive business value from your software. In fact, he and his team have developed a customer success approach that’s taken over the global SaaS business model. In this episode, Nick shares how to create more strategic relationships with your SaaS providers and realize significant value for your organization.

Key Takeaways:

[00:00 - 03:25] Introduction to Nick Mehta
[03:29 - 08:41] Defining and measuring value in ROI
[08:43 - 11:34] The provider and buyer aligning on value
[11:38 - 14:26] The definition of value depends on the data
[14:28 - 16:03] A happy balance delivering customer success and product value
[16:57 - 19:42] How has Gainsight looked at responsible business growth in the current market?
[19:42 - 22:43] Changing the culture around who is involved in business-growth decisions and processes
[22:47 - 25:31] How to be a strategic partner rather than a tactical provider
[25:31 - 29:36] Thinking customer success in the current economy, and how to map value to increase renewals
[29:36 - 32:36] Churn and creating frameworks, gravity naturally pulls toward churn
[32:36 - 34:06] Driving value isn't antithetical to selling
[34:07 - 36:26] Driving value with customers at Gainsight, learnings and failings
[36:27 - 37:16] The Zylo Value Framework, ZVF
[37:23 - 39:09] Rapid fire, Taylor's Version

How Will Generative AI Impact My SaaS Stack?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0400

The hype about generative AI is huge - but what does it mean for your current software stack? From distilling massive amounts of information to creating content, the potential of generative AI seems limitless. But for professionals who manage an organization’s tech stack it can also present some daunting challenges. In this episode, we break down the three impacts generative AI will have on your software stack.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways:

[00:40 - 01:56] Generative AI and AI in our lives already
[01:58 - 03:07] How generative AI can help you get more tasks done
[03:07 - 04:58] ChatGPT, Google Bard, and AI use cases
[03:14 - 05:01] How to use AI to be more productive at work
[05:04 - 06:02] What you should be looking for in SaaS vendors
[06:22 - 08:01] Doomsday AI scenarios vs actual risks

SaaSMe 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.

Scott Brinker: An Inside Look at MarTech and Its Impact on SaaS Management

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

From addressing ever-changing market conditions to driving business growth, marketing teams are often buying new and expensive software. Naturally, it’s important for them to be good stewards of those investments. At the same time, IT and Procurement must understand how marketers are thinking about their tech stack and the impact it has on buying, managing, and optimizing SaaS. In this episode, Scott Brinker, creator of the MarTech Landscape, weighs in on SaaS trends and what he sees ahead for MarTech.

Key Takeaways:

[00:00 - 03:11] Introduction to Scott Brinker
[03:13 - 04:19] Scott and the landscape of SaaS management
[04:21 - 06:21] An overview of the MarTech landscape in 2023
[06:29 - 07:51] Being better stewards of your own stacks
[07:53 - 11:45] The 2023 Marketing Strategy and Trends Report, quantifying growth and shifting to meet the demands of the modern age
[11:49 - 14:46] How apps are being evaluated, and Zylo's SaaS Index
[14:46 - 16:35] It's really hard to get perfect attribution in marketing and ROI
[16:39 - 19:10] Searching for centralized services for tools, or navigating multiple vendors
[20:09 - 24:19] Embracing the best of breed approach, considering primary functions
[24:20 - 27:35] Governance and software adoption
[27:36 - 31:26] Scott talks about his article "How Big is Your Tech Stack Really?" and the value of key pieces of software
[31:27 - 33:38] Chasing the Golden Goose of ROI, optimization
[33:41 - 36:39] Saving money and driving efficiency, finding the right technology
[36:39 - 37:43] Tech investment and people investment, does there have to be a trade-off?
[37:44 - 40:43] Cuts and where to invest, and exceptions to the rule with utilization
[40:41 - 44:36] Shadow IT and advancing the state of digital marketing
[44:36 - 46:02] Rapid fire & closing

What Business Value Do I Really Get from SaaS Management?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 07:02:00 -0400

We get it. You’re doubting the impact SaaS management can have on your business. It’s not just about the tactical things, like optimizing licenses, managing contracts, or putting governance in place. It has the power to drive significant financial and operational value when tied directly to your company-wide business objectives. In this episode, we explore the business value you can expect from implementing SaaS management at your organization.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways:

[00:44 - 01:13] Overview of the Four Pillars of SaaS Management
[01:15 - 02:14] Visibility
[02:50 - 04:02] License optimization
[04:02 - 05:03] Cost savings and avoidance
[05:03 - 06:58] Risk mitigation
[07:01 - 07:53] Adobe and the bottom line

SaaSMe 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.

What Stakeholders Need to Be Involved in SaaS Management?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 07:01:00 -0400

SaaS is decentralized within every organization, making it difficult to understand who owns it. But want to know a little secret? Everyone owns it. That’s why it takes a cross-collaborative effort between IT, Finance, and line of business leaders to drive successful SaaS management – what we like to call a team sport. In this episode, we discuss all the key players and how they rally together to achieve their aligned business outcomes.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways:

[00:36 - 02:10] SaaS management requires cross-departmental collaboration
[02:11 - 02:32] SaaS is decentralized
[02:33 - 03:10] How do you create a system for something nobody owns?
[05:30 - 06:45] Everyone at an organization uses SaaS, so bring them to the table
[07:56 - 09:05] Aligning key business objectives
[09:06 - 09:43] The bottom line for success in SaaS management

SaaSMe 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.

What Is Saas Management and Why Do I Need It?

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

SaaS portfolios today are rife with waste and risk – from shelfware and redundancy to financial, legal, and security concerns. What can you do about it? While you need to wrap your arms around it, software management practices that worked before just won’t cut it for SaaS. Enter SaaS management. In this inaugural episode of SaaSMe Anything, we break down the ins and outs of SaaS management and why it’s mission critical to your business.

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.

Key Takeaways:

[01:04 - 02:39] How many applications have you already used today?
[04:14 - 05:33] Why is SaaS management important?
[05:26 - 05:58] Four Pillars of SaaS Management
[09:56 - 10:44] The bottom line is SaaS management is how businesses discover, optimize, and govern applications

SaaSMe 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.

Introducing SaaSMe Anything

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Wed, 17 May 2023 14:01:50 -0400

Every company today is using SaaS. And with it comes uncontrolled sprawl, risk, and spend. Yet, many IT, SAM, finance, and procurement leaders are just now having their Eureka moment, recognizing the need to manage it.

How is managing SaaS different from on-premise software? Where do you get started? What’s going to move the needle?

In Season Three, we introduce an exciting new series that brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS – SaaSMe Anything! Have questions about SaaS? Ben Pippenger’s your guy. Your resident SaaS expert, providing answers to questions that, frankly, aren’t always easy to find.

You can also expect to hear all-new interviews from the experts knee-deep in SaaS – from their fantastically terrible Oh Shit Moments to wildly successful SaaS management programs. Plus, get to know a new face on the show, Zylo Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Host Meredith Albertson!

Your Hosts

Connect with SaaSMe Unfiltered Co-host Cory Wheeler on LinkedIn
Connect with SaaSMe Unfiltered Co-host Meredith Albertson on LinkedIn
Connect with SaaSMe Anything Host Ben Pippenger on LinkedIn

Resources

Have a question you’d like answered on SaaSMe Anything? Submit yours here.
Learn more about Zylo, the leader in SaaS management and optimization
Subscribe to Zylo’s monthly newsletter for podcast updates and other resources

Ben Pippenger: SaaS Management Insights to Drive Business Impact in 2023

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Growth at all costs. Sounded great at the time, right? Now that we’re staring down economic uncertainty, we’re seeing companies go back to business fundamentals. Grow smart, accomplish more with less.

At Zylo, we’ve long known that SaaS management is paramount to enabling this mindset. And will be even more crucial to driving business impact in 2023. From doubling down on cost-saving initiatives to helping employees be more efficient with the tools they use.

To understand why, we examined trends in our 2023 SaaS Management Index – sourced from more than $30B in SaaS spend under management. In this episode, Ben Pippenger explains what it all means for your business and SaaS management journey.

Key Takeaways:

[00:05 - 01:59] Cory introduces Meredith Albertson, your new co-host!
[02:45 - 03:33] Zylo's 2023 SaaS Management Index Report
[03:43 - 05:24] Talking SMI highlights and insights from Ben Pippenger
[05:29 - 07:25] SaaS growth trajectory and trends in buying habits in the current world environment
[07:31 - 11:26] Unmonitored SaaS spend can become a huge problem, even with the best intentions
[11:28 - 13:27] Visibility and the optimization engine
[13:30 - 14:30] A reckoning in post-pandemic SaaS spending and uncertainty?
[14:35 - 16:44] Ben's "oh shit" moment with Salesforce and tools for editing cat content
[16:47 - 19:33] Optimization opportunities, and what the average companies SaaS stack looks like?
[19:39 - 23:14] Without an SMP companies are overspending on SaaS by 25%, and how to find those optimization opportunities through licenses and cost-savings
[23:19 - 26:09] Making insights actionable, and what the SMI data says about renewals
[26:10 - 29:23] Renewals are an opportunity to impact the business' bottom line, and common mistakes in the process
[29:26 - 32:12] SaaS Management is a team sport, and how a SaaS management problem puts you in the driver's seat
[32:13 - 34:56] Freedom of a framework concept, aka dealing with Shadow IT
[34:59 - 36:04] Why aren't leaders prioritizing the risks associated with shadow IT?
[36:06 - 40:04] Providing a great experience as part of the overall IT governance strategy
[40:05 - 42:55] This is your opportunity to save millions of dollars
[42:57 - 46:14] Rapid Fire

Lance Younger: The Rise of Digital Procurement with ProcureTech

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Digital transformation spread in waves over the last 20+ years for many areas of business – from marketing and sales to finance and HR. For procurement, that time is now. ProcureTech CEO and Founder Lance Younger believes digitalization is paramount for Procurement to realize their full potential. In this episode, Lance shares his philosophy on digital procurement – why it matters and how to be strategic about it.

Episode Highlights

[00:00 - 01:57] Introduction to Lance Younger
[01:58 - 05:21] Hot Takes with Thom: Responsible business growth vs responsible growth at all costs
[05:24 - 08:16] Lance talks about ProcureTech's vision and enabling the future of digital procurement
[08:23 - 10:31] How ProcureTech is changing how procurement is done digitally
[10:33 - 14:11] Operating at scale and still driving innovation
[14:13 - 17:16] How the procurement process has had to adapt for SaaS
[17:16 - 19:05] Completely democratized IT compared to the recent past
[19:09 - 21:50] Solutions exist, but people are not finding the right match
[21:51 - 22:40] Cohorts of digital solutions
[22:42 - 24:29] The current state of the economy and procurement strategies, and did Europe get a headstart?
[24:29 - 27:07] High-level predictions for the procurement space in 2023
[27:20 - 30:45] A fight for relevance in the procurement field
[30:59 - 34:02] Rapid fire

Lindsay Stokes: Netflix’s Unconventional Approach to Tooling and SaaS Management

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 09:30:00 -0500

With Netflix’s mission to “entertain the world”, the company culture has a deep-rooted effect on how they manage SaaS. But how do you balance tool autonomy with cost-saving initiatives? In this episode, IT Asset Program Manager Lindsay Stokes sheds light on Netflix’s Freedom & Responsibility approach and how they’re addressing the abundant cost-saving opportunities at their fingertips today – and long-term.

Episode Highlights

[00:00 - 02:07] Episode introduction
[02:43 - 06:16] Hot Takes with Thom: Why don't homegrown tools cut it for SaaS?
[06:20 - 11:25] Lindsay's journey building and leading SAM at Netflix
[11:40 - 13:54] Netflix employee enablement and reining in SaaS sprawl
[13:55 - 15:31] The intricacies of managing SaaS organizationally: waste and redundancies
[15:35 - 17:20] Netflix's process of getting actionable data with Zylo
[17:23 - 19:55] The fundamentals and priorities of SaaS management at Netflix
[19:57 - 22:29] Balancing cost optimization with freedom and responsibility
[22:30 - 23:51] A proactive versus reactive perspective
[23:55 - 26:13] Lindsay's role in helping application managers manage SaaS and spend
[26:17 - 28:02] Critical ingredients for success in SaaS
[28:04 - 30:43] Missteps and misadventures in addressing SaaS strategies
[30:52 - 32:36] Rapid Fire

Brett Bartolai: Driving SaaS Cost Savings through Procurement at GrubHub

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Sprawl. Unchecked spend. Surprise renewals. Procurement is well-positioned to manage the chaos that comes with SaaS. In fact, Brett Bartolai, the Head of Procurement at GrubHub, equates the role to air traffic controller. In this episode, Brett shares how increased scrutiny over their software stack and spend has helped GrubHub surface shadow IT, reduce costs, and stay ahead of renewals.

Key Takeaways

[00:00 - 02:26] Introduction to Brett Bartolai
[02:33 - 05:18] Hot Takes with Thom: Businesses aren't taking full advantage of procurement
[05:16 - 05:57] Procurement as the connective tissue that unites organizations and SaaS
[05:57 - 06:59] Brett's procurement journey
[06:59 - 08:43] Procurement finds you
[08:43 - 10:27] What drives Brett is team building and making an impact every day
[10:27 - 12:58] Differences in procurement at a Fortune 100 company versus a startup
[12:59 - 14:54] Procurement's role in facilitating software purchases for the company, groups, and individuals
[14:55 - 20:28] How GrubHub is positioning cost containment and value in 2023 and beyond
[18:15 - 20:45] A shift to a more pragmatic approach to a software review board
[20:45 - 22:22] And oh shit moment with freemium models
[22:22 - 23:26] Who all is involved in SaaS management at GrubHub?
[23:27 - 24:05] Good things discussed and moving as quickly as possible
[24:07 - 26:14] How does Brett look at program success internally at GrubHub
[26:16 - 28:08] Rapid fire

David Stoicescu (Part 2): How Deepwatch Takes a Risk Based Approach to Managing Software

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Do you know where your data is going? If there’s one thing that David Stoicescu believes, it’s that SaaS security begins with visibility. In this episode, David shares how he takes a risk based approach to managing software at Deepwatch and addresses the pitfalls he sees companies succumbing to when it comes to SaaS.

Key Takeaways

[00:00 - 01:31] Introduction
[01:31 - 03:52] Gauging the levels of risk some apps and their security practices pose to customers
[03:52 - 06:14] Mechanisms to identify shadow IT spend
[06:16 - 08:09] Compliance and governance at Deep Watch
[08:09 - 09:58] Delivering at scale
[09:58 - 12:05] A team sport scenario for IT and skill sets
[12:07 - 13:47] The biggest mistake David sees is companies not paying attention to SaaS at all
[13:50 - 17:54] Determining responsibility and ownership, disciples of data
[17:58 - 20:30] A look into next year's goals and KPIs
[20:31 - 22:04] Rapid Fire

David Stoicescu (Part 1): More SaaS, More Information Security Problems

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 09:30:00 -0500

The more SaaS applications you have, the more information security problems you’re likely to face. From unsecure information and data leaks to risk of a data breach, to name a few. At Deepwatch, CISO David Stoicescu looks at everything from a risk lens. In this episode, David shares why InfoSec is a critical business function, how to lead a high-performing team, and why visibility is key to avoiding damaging and embarrassing security mishaps.

Key takeaways:

[03:01 - 05:07] Hot Takes with Tom: InfoSec
[05:10 - 07:45] How David got into InfoSec, and what drove him?
[07:46 - 09:24] New methodologies and baking security into the lifecycle
[09:27 - 11:15] Deepwatch and SOC
[11:17 - 13:33] David enjoys the journey
[13:43 - 15:58] What made David strengthen a SaaS program early on
[16:02 - 18:42] How a lack of SaaS management could go off the rails, and the kind of problems it causes

Gürkan Berkan: Protecting the Business from SaaS Risks at Coupa

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0500

A lack of visibility into your SaaS stack can mean plausible deniability. But, if you want to protect your business from risk, you must have a complete picture. In this episode, Coupa’s Director of IT Compliance, Gürkan Berkan, shares how using a SaaS management tool has helped them shed light on risks like shadow IT, security, compliance, and spend – and how they’re staying on top of it today.

Episode Highlights:

[01:02 - 04:27] Meet Gürkan and learn about his career progression
[04:31 - 05:46] Coupa's core use cases and overview
[05:48 - 06:17] Gürkan's love of nature and the outdoors
[06:42 - 08:38] Hot Takes with Thom
[08:54 - 10:41] Experience prior to Coupa, and a lack of SaaS management
[10:43 - 11:55] Using Zylo to make informed decisions in the procurement process
[11:58 - 13:54] Freedom of choice in daily application preferences, and uncontrolled chaos
[13:57 - 16:22] Coupa's business objectives and how SaaS factors in
[16:37 - 18:02] Taking pride in spend management and reacting to an economic slowdown
[18:10 - 20:01] Thinking about how to manage and measure risk compliance internally
[20:02 - 21:01] Compliance reviews
[21:02 - 23:04] Measurement of shadow IT
[23:10 - 25:26] Mergers & Acquisitions
[25:27 - 27:19] Closing out with rapid fire questions

Byron Deeter: The March toward Cloud and Its Unavoidable Impact on Your Business

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0500

For the vast majority, the Cloud is the way of the future. According to Byron Deeter, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, that march is well underway and inevitable. In this episode, we dive into the BVP State of the Cloud report to reflect on the criticality of SaaS to your business – from macroeconomic factors and shifting monetization approaches affecting adoption and SaaS spend, to Cloud marketplace procurement and the future of tooling. Plus, a peek at what Byron predicts for 2023.

Key Takeaways:

[00:00 - 02:46] Meet Byron Deeter
[03:15 - 04:12] Byron's State of the Cloud Report, insights and trends
[04:13 - 05:55] SaaS companies evolving in phases alongside sibling technologies like connectivity and AI
[05:57 - 08:18] How macroeconomic conditions like COVID affect opportunities for cloud software and SaaS companies today
[08:19 - 09:48] Understanding software cost savings and productivity levers in figuring SaaS into the budget
[09:52 - 12:08] Cloud is the new middleware layer, removing friction for enablement
[12:15 - 14:47] Cost optimization and product security
[14:48 - 17:37] 80% of companies will be actively selling in marketplaces in the next two years
[17:38 - 19:49] The Year of the Centaur, a shift from unicorn status to something more stable
[19:50 - 21:47] A thriving cloud economy ahead, with more realistic valuations
[21:51 - 24:34] How some of the predictions in The State of the Cloud Report hold up six months later
[24:37 - 25:55] Trading growth for profitability and the impact on innovation
[26:01 - 29:11] Rapid fire

IT & Finance: The MVPs of Your SaaS Management Program

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0500

IT and Finance leaders at today’s most progressive organizations get it. SaaS has permeated every part of the business and responsibility for managing it sits across a range of stakeholders. What makes their partnership a game-changer for SaaS Management? In this episode, recorded live at SaaSMe 2022, hear how leaders at LinkedIn, Salsify, and Fresh FP&A are fostering alliances across the organization to drive maximum impact with SaaS.

Key Takeaways:

[00:00 - 02:12] Introduction to SaaSMe panel, LinkedIn, Salsify, Fresh FP&A
[02:15 - 04:19] Get to know Chris Ortega, Shravya Ravi, and Gordon Atkin
[04:53 - 06:20] Gordon on his responsibilities and outcomes he is focused on
[06:20 - 07:55] How Shravya is growing a SAM strategy, and how she measures KPIs
[08:15 - 10:32] How most companies Chris works with address SaaS
[10:05 - 12:17] Why Chris cares about SaaS and OPEX
[12:16 - 12:44] Managing risk
[12:47 - 13:22] Budget season
[13:24 - 15:54] Shravya describes collaboration and critical connections that are part of the SaaS program at LinkedIn
[15:54 - 18:07] Who Gordon enlists as partners in crime to drive optimization and scale
[18:10 - 19:49] The partnership element
[19:48 - 21:21] The prepaid report and CFO visibility
[21:33 - 23:10] How did the business receive the SaaS initiative?
[23:12 - 25:17] Executive sponsorship, and a dedicated professional with experience
[25:22 - 26:25] Help people understand what is in it for them
[26:51 - 27:45] A prediction for SaaS and spend management in 2023
[28:19 - 29:53] What Gordon sees happening for SaaS management, and spend in 2023
[29:55 - 30:42] Procurement and IT
[30:42 - 31:42] Chris' 2023 predictions

Gordon Atkin: Secrets to SaaS Management Program Success, Advice from a Seasoned Pro

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Gordon Atkin, VP of Technology and Business Platform at Salsify, believes that having a SaaS management program is an imperative business practice. And you need a dedicated tool to do it effectively. In this episode, Gordon divulges his secrets to a successful SaaS management practice, why traditional asset management solutions just don’t work for SaaS, and what to look for in your SaaS management tool.

Key Takeaways:

[00:00 - 02:22] Introduction to Gordon Atkin
[02:39 - 04:59] Hot Takes with Thom: Four reasons why you need to manage SaaS
[04:59 - 08:48] What needs to happen in an IT organization as a CIO for taking a company public
[08:50 - 10:03] Gordon's playbook for navigating IPOs and being an effective CIO
[10:04 - 12:38] Aligning the company with where you want to be, and how that affects tooling efforts and budget internally
[12:45 - 16:07] Establishing a complete inventory of SaaS
[16:08 - 17:10] Transparency in benchmarking and a more holistic view
[17:43 - 20:14] Renewal and intake, how Gordon assesses and defines SAM programs
[20:24 - 21:01] Off-boarding and deprecating apps
[21:05 - 22:23] SaaS Management is a must have
[22:48 - 27:59] Rapid Fire

Ben Pippenger: Uncovering & Addressing Hidden SaaS Purchases

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 08:30:00 -0400

There’s a growing and escalating issue around the increasing number of SaaS applications and spend at companies today. Much of that is attributed to hidden SaaS purchases – or shadow IT. In this episode, Zylo Co-founder Ben Pippenger sat down with our friends at the SAP Concur Conversations podcast to discuss how to uncover shadow IT and where to start addressing it.

Episode Highlights

[02:07] Zylo's history and product
[03:16] Employee initiated spend and SaaS purchasing
[06:55] Employee-led spend, and a single source of truth learning about SaaS spend
[09:11] Hidden spend and misclassification of costs
[10:15] Compliance, security, and the risks of not having a Software Asset Management plan
[13:25] Every company that uses software needs a SaaS management system
[16:53] Taking an expense perspective with SaaS Management
[20:31] Getting all the teams in an organization on board
[24:15] Misclassification and entertainment purchases
[26:01] Thoughts on growth and the need for SaaS management tools

Karen Hodson: Why Procurement Is More Than Just Checking Boxes

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 08:30:00 -0400

Procurement is often considered a gatekeeper, making sure all the boxes get checked. But for Karen Hodson at CM Group, she’s made it her mission to give Procurement a better rep – one where relationships and collaboration are the prime focus. In this episode, Karen delves into her unique approach to Procurement, from the everyday focus of relationship building to her strategic thought process around M&A.

Episode Highlights

[02:24] The Story of CM Group
[03:49] CM Grou's SaaS strategy and acquisitions
[05:20] What procurement looks like within CM Group
[07:35] Core components of CM Group's department strategy
[10:51] Looking at the bigger picture by utilizing Zylo
[15:29] Karen's procurement playbook
[21:12] Having relationships with vendors and having conversations
[24:24] The importance of a coherent and collaborative SaaS strategy
[28:51] What's next at CM Group
[31:50] Rapid fire

Lance Giles: The New Era of Software Asset Management

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0400

Software Asset Management rose with the need to manage on-premise software. However, the birth of SaaS and cloud-based applications has changed the game. In this episode, former Nike SAM pro and Zylo SAM evangelist, Lance Giles, shares what a golden opportunity software asset managers have in front of them and the lessons he’s learned diving head-first into SaaS management.

Episode Highlights

[01:55] Lance Giles reflecting on shifts in his software asset management experience
[05:20] Building and running a global SAM project at Nike
[08:31] Visibility and support from leadership for SAM goals after an external audit at Nike
[10:42] A process of elimination in deploying a SAM strategy and effort
[13:02] Centralize and bring data together, bring decision-making together
[15:14] Everybody in the company was a software asset manager
[17:34] Classic missteps Lance has seen in rolling out a SAM strategy, and lessons learned
[19:37] Pay reasonable attention to what is happening at the software market
[22:28] On SaaS products shifts and the opportunity in SaaS

Aaqil Kassamali: Procurement, the Heart of SaaS Management at Hootsuite

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 08:30:00 -0400

Starting a career in sports sales, Aaqil Kassamali never imagined his journey would take him to building and leading a Procurement team at Hootsuite. From creating broader visibility to turnkey internal processes, it’s become the heart of their SaaS management program. In this episode, discover the lessons Aaqil and his team have learned and his advice for positioning Procurement as a valuable business partner.

Episode Highlights:

[02:14] Aaqil's background experience in sales
[04:56] Being in sales and building empathy
[06:39] The moment Hootsuite realized it needed to cenralize IT and SaaS efforts
[08:28] Building out purchase orders
[11:04] The branding of procurement and showing value to hesitant minds
[12:52] What SAM and SaaS ownership looks like at Hootsuite
[14:03] Software sits in legal at Hootsuite, how to balance function and needs?
[]15:56 Metrics and KPIs Aaqil reports to his boss
[18:17] The process and people being fearful for time
[21:30] Important areas of focus for a sound SaaS management strategy internally
[23:29] The rise of SaaS and distribution
[25:47] Tackling the transformation
[26:13] Discussing renewal fatigue and downstream effects
[27:33] Aaqil's thoughts on budgeting around SaaS for fast growing organizations
[31:53 ] The next evolution of procurement at Hootsuite
[32:52] Data and insights

Jason Owens (Part 2): Transforming Salesforce’s M&A SaaS Integrations with Empathy

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 08:05:00 -0400

Mergers and acquisitions are a strategic decision that can deliver great benefits to your business. However, it can be completely disruptive for new employees. At Salesforce, Jason Owens and his software asset management team transform the M&A process by practicing empathy. In this episode, discover how Salesforce approaches SaaS software integrations and evangelizes the SAM practice across the organization.

Episode Highlights:

[01:19] Discussing Jason's mature process for defining business strategy and the growth of SAM
[06:19] What are the Big Rocks?
[08:50] Mergers & Acquisitions of SaaS companies
[14:03] Balancing empathy with speed
[16:00] A recommendation to start or stop doing for those in SaaS
[18:24] Rapid Fire and all about the Indy 500

Jason Owens (Part 1): How Salesforce Built a World-Class Software Asset Management Team

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Building a world-class software asset management team from the ground up isn’t for the faint of heart. But SAM leader Jason Owens has done just that at Salesforce. In this episode, learn about the early days of Salesforce’s software asset management program and how they’ve assembled their dream team to tackle SaaS and drive collaboration and results across the business.

Episode Highlights:

[02:17] How Jason's leadership has evolved at Salesforce
[04:53] Why and how Salesforce built a roadmap for SaaS
[10:48] What made Salesforce realize they needed better visibility into SaaS
[14:58] The four-level maturity roadmap, QBRs and milestones
[19:56] Salesforce's strategy and plans moving forward into 2022

Leah Tubb: Driving Business Value with SaaS at Atlassian

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Trying to wrangle SaaS as your organization scales requires a delicate balance of creating a culture of choice while still ensuring governance. Leah Tubb, Program Manager of IT Architecture, Planning and Innovation, shares her approach to peeling back the layers of SaaS at Atlassian to foster better partnership between IT and the business and ultimately drive business value.

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] Overview, meet Leah Tubb
[02:24] When did scale catch up with Atlassian?
[04:39] Peeling back the SaaS onion with Atlassian IT
[08:27] Connecting SaaS management and enterprise architecture moving forward
[10:28 ] Maximizing business value and looking at security
[15:42] Operational rhythms and sustaining them
[17:40 ] Jira Work Management
[19:50] "What I love about Zylo is that it lets you manage SaaS the Atlassian way."
[22:38] Data privacy and scaling
[26:31] Portfolio rationalizations and hurdles in scaling
[28:40] Wins early on
[29:27] Rapid fire

Ashley Hickman: SaaS Management Is A Practice, Not A Project

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0400

SaaS management is not one and done – it’s an ongoing practice. One that enables you to organize, optimize, and orchestrate your SaaS stack. In this episode, Zylo’s own Ashley Hickman shares what a successful SaaS management practice looks like and how some organizations are approaching it today.

Episode Highlights:

[1:53] Ashley's background in the Italian language and culture
[4:39] Translating a focus in the Italian language and IT consulting to her role in SaaS at Zylo
[8:13] Defining best practices in SaaS management
[10:07] Data-driven strategies for guiding customers
[16:24] What Ashley is focused on in 2022
[19:28] Executive buy-in and and how customers iterate with their goals as indicators of success
[23:51] Budgeting season and how it affects SaaS management

Chris Asing: Powering IT SaaS Governance with Partnership, Flexibility & Data

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 24 May 2022 08:30:00 -0400

Listen and learn. Redis VP of IT Chris Asing lives by this mantra in his approach to SaaS governance. But it’s not all just policies and procedures. In this episode, Chris gives an inside look at his progressive approach and the power partnership, flexibility, and data have in SaaS transformation.

Episode highlights:

[2:02] How Chris got into IT, and background on Redis
[3:43] Thoughts on offices opening up post-pandemic
[5:27] What a "cloud forward" mentality looks like at Redis, and metrics it causes them to track
[8:00] What does Chris need to lead IT at Redis?
[9:23] IT structure at Redis, and where it sits in the organizational hierarchy
[12:56] Governance and centralization efforts at Redis
[16:24] Feedback from businesses is a two-way street
[18:24] Balancing threats to risk and security as a core focus of IT
[20:27] The rise in SaaS and its implications on the number of tools we use
[25:51] Enterprise architecture as core to a company's DNA

Sam Griffin: Wielding Magic Wands & Being a SaaS Management Superhero

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 10 May 2022 08:05:00 -0400

From sales to sourcing to software asset management, Sam Griffin’s career has taken an unconventional path - but one that has ultimately set her up for great success. In this episode, learn how Genesys started tackling their SaaS problems, how Sam’s addressing the head and tail of software spend today, and how she’s able to do more with less thanks to automation and data.

Episode highlights:

[2:31] Background on Genesys and software for interacting with customers better
[3:41] Samantha's journey from archeological lab assistant to software asset management at Genesys
[6:04] How Samantha operates day-to-day, and her experience with Zylo
[8:21] Partnering with IT, forecasting for the business, and optimizing for architectural fit
[10:20] Software at every level of the organization and doing more with less
[11:55] Automation and thinking about how data drives efficiency and saves money
[13:49] The magic want approach to reclaiming licenses
[16:28] The maturity roadmap and setting priorities
[18:27] Projects Samantha is tackling right now
[21:27] Highlighting strong female leadership and support at Genesys
[24:02] Advice and helpful mindsets for future SaaS superheroes

Brad Pollard: Rockstar, Changemaker, Tech Innovator & G-Suite Fanatic

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 10 May 2022 08:00:00 -0400

What do you get when you combine music and technology? You get Brad Pollard, former CIO at Tenable. From dreams of becoming a rockstar to leading early 2000s cloud migrations to navigating Covid-19, he’s been through it all. In this episode, Brad shares how SaaS is impacting organizations for the better and ways progressive CIOs can help their companies enable employees without hindering innovation.

Episode highlights:

[6:31] Leveraging emerging tech to help move forward and scale business
[9:15] G-Suite migration and communication improvements with collaborative software
[10:50] Change management and steering human behavior to access new processes during the pandemic
[13:23] COVID-19 as a forcing function to push mass adoption of remote and balanced work
[16:13] Strong leadership with a knack for quick change and finding a needle in a haystack
[20:15] Shadow IT, partnership, and figuring out problems together
[22:43] Brad's thoughts on reporting to CFOs, and using technology to reduce costs, solve problems, and work efficiently
[26:06] Accountability and having people to curate experiences with SaaS integrations
[28:54] Discussing the tipping point where having a SaaS management provider and platform becomes necessary

Introducing SaaSMe Unfiltered: The SaaS Management Podcast

marketing@zylo.com (Zylo) — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 14:19:22 -0400

SaaS has taken over the world – and your organization. Skyrocketing innovation. Empowering workforces. And embracing flexibility. All things to help your team and business move at the speed of SaaS. But with it comes a new set of challenges.

SaaSMe Unfiltered, a new podcast by Zylo, explores the good, the bad, and the ugly of SaaS Management and what innovative tech leaders are doing to make the most of their SaaS investments.

Join hosts Cory Wheeler and Ashley Hickman as they speak with IT, SAM, and Procurement leaders about their real-life experiences. And gain an unfiltered view of how you can excel in your role and drive the business forward.

Links and Resources:

Connect with Co-host Cory Wheeler on LinkedIn
Connect with Co-host Ashley Hickman on LinkedIn
Learn more about Zylo, the leader in SaaS management and optimization
Subscribe to Zylo’s monthly newsletter for podcast updates and other resources