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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 <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd46q9-lJRA1ZCGCmegXCXrGqSCXonMpZhQubNKEd_SWllLmw/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;Key Takeaways<ul><li>[00:08&nbsp;-&nbsp;00:36] SaaS is fundamental, so how do we make SaaS management successful?</li><li>[00:37&nbsp;-&nbsp;01:15] SaaS management is a holistic business practice, requires cross-functional collaboration</li><li>[01:15&nbsp;-&nbsp;02:14] The problems SaaS management solves —&nbsp;visibility into tech stack, reductions in software spend, and governing shadow IT security risks</li><li>[02:14&nbsp;-&nbsp;03:14] Wasting money and overspending on unused SaaS licenses</li><li>[03:14&nbsp;-&nbsp;05:31] What does a SaaS management practice look like? Inventory management, license management, and renewal management</li><li>[05:31&nbsp;-&nbsp;05:55] SaaS management is a holistic business practice that won't yield effective results when done piecemeal</li></ul> 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 <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpipp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

In this episode, Ben Pippenger breaks down the definition of SaaS Management, its importance, and why now is the time to get started.

What Is SaaS Management?

SaaS Management has become a fundamental business practice within the enterprise. Yet, many IT, software asset management, and procurement leaders are still wrapping their brains around what it is and how to do it successfully. In this episode, Ben Pippenger breaks down what SaaS Management is, its importance, and why now is the time to get started.

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.&nbsp;Key Takeaways<ul><li>[03:05&nbsp;-&nbsp;05:41] Redefining roles of software asset managers in digital transformation</li><li>[06:04&nbsp;-&nbsp;08:15] The evolution and impact of software asset management</li><li>[08:16&nbsp;-&nbsp;10:21] Two different personas in SaaS today, thoughts on audits, renewals, license positions and more</li><li>[10:26&nbsp;-&nbsp;13:28] The value challenge in software licenses</li><li>[14:08&nbsp;-&nbsp;15:47] Navigating the value of SaaS management in enterprise-level software</li><li>[15:50&nbsp;-&nbsp;17:33] Having both a traditional SAM solution and SaaS management solution</li><li>[18:33&nbsp;-&nbsp;21:09] The strategic shift to proactive SaaS management at Salesforce</li><li>[21:10&nbsp;-&nbsp;23:59] Measuring utilization and sprawl at Salesforce</li><li>[24:03&nbsp;-&nbsp;26:46] Managing SaaS strategy for onboarding companies year over year</li><li>[26:51&nbsp;-&nbsp;30:37] Harnessing AI for transformational asset management</li></ul>

Jason Owens

Senior Director, Global ITAM at Salesforce

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. 

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

Multiplying the Power of Software Management with an SMP and SAM Tool

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. 

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<ul><li>[06:26&nbsp;-&nbsp;07:42] Strategically aligned partnership with IT for go-to-market goals and customer experience goals</li><li>[07:43&nbsp;-&nbsp;08:46] The innovation budget, what it looks like. A flywheel effect for supporting innovative culture and tools.</li><li>[10:47&nbsp;-&nbsp;12:05] Legacy software practices and keeping up with the agile world of SaaS, a wakeup call to managing application inventory</li><li>[16:40&nbsp;-&nbsp;17:18] Insights into the discovery exercise, emotions around specific applications</li><li>[17:18&nbsp;-&nbsp;18:38] Balancing individual preference of needed tools, while reducing sprawl and inefficiency. Sometimes it isn't a balance.</li><li>[20:16&nbsp;-&nbsp;21:44] Operationalized usage and adoption of tools, using Zylo to glean insights compared to what used to be cumbersome spreadsheets</li><li>[23:39&nbsp;-&nbsp;25:08] The walk phase, what prevents successful license management, difficulty establishing inventory management</li><li>[26:32&nbsp;-&nbsp;27:35] Finding out thousands of licenses are unused, a security and financial concern</li></ul>


With over 27 years of information technology experience, I am a design thinking leader and a technology executive who delivers innovative and user-centric solutions for the healthcare industry. As the Vice President of Digital Experience at ModMed, I oversee the strategic direction and execution of the core technology areas that enable the delivery of our products and services, such as mobile, Microsoft, web, online commerce, data management, and Salesforce.

I am passionate about creating and implementing digital business strategies that align with ModMed's vision and goals, and that enhance our value proposition and competitive advantage. I apply design thinking principles and methodologies to understand the needs and expectations of our end-users, and to collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders and partners to deliver solutions that solve their problems and maximize their positive impact. I also mentor and coach others in the technology field, sharing my insights and experiences to help them succeed and grow in their careers.

Trenton Cycholl

VP of Digital Business at ModMed

In this episode, get an inside look at ModMed's IT processes and how to crawl-walk-run your way to a successful SaaS Management program.

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

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.

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 <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd46q9-lJRA1ZCGCmegXCXrGqSCXonMpZhQubNKEd_SWllLmw/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;Key Takeaways<ul><li>[00:07&nbsp;-&nbsp;00:35] "With great power comes great responsibility"</li><li>[00:35&nbsp;-&nbsp;01:09] Five topics to unlock visibility into your SaaS stack</li><li>[01:07&nbsp;-&nbsp;01:41] Inventory Management</li><li>[01:39&nbsp;-&nbsp;02:18] Shadow IT</li><li>[02:18&nbsp;-&nbsp;02:50] Application Rationalization</li><li>[02:50&nbsp;-&nbsp;03:14] License Optimization</li><li>[03:14&nbsp;-&nbsp;04:08] Operationalizing your renewal process</li></ul>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 <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpipp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Once you have full visibility into your SaaS, what's the next step? Ben Pippenger breaks down five actions you can take to start making progress toward your strategic business goals.

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

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.

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

Daniel Garcia

IT Procurement at Coinbase

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.


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

Decoding SaaS Rationalization to Drive Cost Savings with Daniel Garcia

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.


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 <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd46q9-lJRA1ZCGCmegXCXrGqSCXonMpZhQubNKEd_SWllLmw/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;Key Takeaways<ul><li>[00:07&nbsp;-&nbsp;00:50] Introduction –&nbsp;2024 SaaS Management Index found 65% of employee expenses have poor security scores</li><li>[00:50&nbsp;-&nbsp;01:17] Losing visibility into apps and how organizations conduct business</li><li>[01:18&nbsp;-&nbsp;01:38] Most unknown security risks lie with employee expenses and Shadow IT</li><li>[01:38&nbsp;-&nbsp;02:22] Cost is being managed, but security risks linger</li><li>[02:22&nbsp;-&nbsp;03:05] Cost, data breaches, and legal impact</li><li>[03:05&nbsp;-&nbsp;03:28] Loss of trust with customers</li><li>[03:26&nbsp;-&nbsp;03:56] Decentralization of SaaS buying, making a business secure</li><li>[03:55&nbsp;-&nbsp;04:35] Focused on visibility and risk</li></ul>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 <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpipp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Costly security risks linger in the shadows of your tech stack. In this episode, Ben Pippenger breaks down what security risks to be aware of and steps to address them.


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

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.


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

Matt Harney

Founder at Cloud Ratings

Ben Pippenger

Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Zylo

In this episode, Ben Pippenger and Matt Harney examine SaaS trends from the latest SaaS Management Index and how IT, Software Asset Management, and Procurement leaders can come out on top in 2024.


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

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


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SaaS has taken over the world – and your organization. Skyrocketing innovation. Empowering workforces. Embracing flexibility. The future of software is here. But with it comes new challenges.SaaSMe Unfiltered brings you uncensored, real-life advice on what it takes to conquer SaaS management and optimization. For the IT, software asset management, and procurement professionals knee-deep in SaaS every single day. SaaS superheroes just like you.SaaSMe Anything brings clarity to the chaos of SaaS, where Zylo Co-founder Ben Pippenger breaks down your burning questions about SaaS and how to manage it.Brought to you weekly by Zylo, the industry leader in SaaS Management and experts that help organizations of all sizes manage, measure, and maximize the value of their SaaS.For free resources to help you on your SaaS management journey, visit <a href="https://zylo.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">zylo.com</a>.

What Is SaaS Management?

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Ben Pippenger

Cory Wheeler

Meredith Albertson

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