56 episodes

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 zylo.com.

SaaSMe Unfiltered: The SaaS Management Podcast Zylo

    • Technology
    • 5.0 • 18 Ratings

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 zylo.com.

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

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

    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 costSaaSMe 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.

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

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

    • 2 min
    Can I Use Software Asset Management Tools to Manage SaaS?

    Can I Use Software Asset Management Tools to Manage SaaS?

    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 SaaSSaaSMe 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.

    • 7 min
    What Should I Consider When Purchasing SaaS in Cloud Marketplaces?

    What Should I Consider When Purchasing SaaS in Cloud Marketplaces?

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

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

    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.

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

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

    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 summarySaaSMe 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.

    • 7 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
18 Ratings

18 Ratings

mvelasco07 ,

Great content!

Engaging, informative, and insightful! Can’t believe an incredibly valuable resource like this podcast is FREE! 🤩

49rsForever ,

Great real life stories

I’ve really enjoyed listening to the podcast this season. Great guests with different stories and takes on tackling challenges. Gotten a lot of value.

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