7 Ways to Maximize SaaS ROI and Extend Your Runway
For many companies, given the fluctuations of the economy and the continued rise in competition, survival now requires companies to attain a longer period of financial freedom. Most of the companies depend on SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions so any management of these costs affects their budgets and their existence. Businesses can cut throats, gain the highest possible value through a fresh approach to SaaS spending optimization, and create the foundations for sustainable growth. Here are seven strategic tips for how to extend your SaaS firm’s runway through better spend:
1. Conduct Regular SaaS Audits
The first approach to managing costs for SaaS solutions is knowing how your organization uses your software. Fluctuating business needs and organizational changes lead to the use of SaaS tools in a process where the tool is needed and then left to collect dust as the organization moves to another method. Such audits performed regularly contribute to the identification of the irrelevant software and the ones that are in some way replicas of the others. A great place to begin is by creating a spreadsheet with each of the subscriptions in your account and evaluating it by its objectives, activity, and value for the company. Those tools that are used hardly ever or never should not be used or should be reconsidered in terms of their usefulness while tools that have many uses are often used most of the time and can be combined to reduce costs.
2. Negotiate for Discounts and Better Pricing Terms
You’d be surprised at how malleable vendors are usually willing to be, especially if you’ve been doing business with them for a long time and are a big buyer. Contact all your current software as a service provider and ask for lower pricing or bulk pricing for your services. Most businesses are willing to price cut, particularly if you are interested in a large, long-term contract. Discuss contract renewals as often as possible, and do not pass up the opportunity to use threats of new competitor offers to get better terms. Day-to-day small amounts of discount offered by these tools seem like minor savings, but these tiny savings if accumulated for a year would mean significant savings.
3. Opt for Annual Billing Over Monthly Subscriptions
Currently, most SaaS suppliers come with some form of discount rates when anyone selects the annual subscription as opposed to the monthly subscription. As for the savings, they range usually from 10 to 20% and, though one has to pay more at once, the tool is likely to become worth the price in the long term one gets convinced with. When considering the tool, it is relevant to assess whether the tool will retain the required relevance in the year’s activity completely. It proactively updates essential and reliable tools with which you integrate rather than experimental or add-on software.
4. Consolidate Redundant Tools
Duplication of software features is a leading cause of inefficiency when it comes to how businesses expend money on SaaS. Toxify of SSOs stems from having multiple tools that deliver similar functions occurrence frequently given that departments procure tools individually. It is easier to reach a huge level of savings when you are using tools in a unified manner and avoiding duplication. For instance, some programs for project management come equipped with handles for communication and sharing files which means that you will also be able to do away with independent apps that were previously used for these specific purposes. Examine how many variabilities each tool incorporates and decide if it’s possible to remove any or merge them all into one system.
5. Consider Usage-Based Pricing Models
It is now common for SaaS suppliers to have multiple pricing tiers depending on the usage and this can be very advantageous to a company whose usage is not constant. For instance, it is more flexible to pay for a tool, under consumption, as opposed to paying a flat fee for, say, a tool necessary in conducting research only at times of spikes in activity. The usage of this approach tends to be suitable where tools are used cross-department and are required in varying quantities. If this model is implemented, it is important to monitor consumption frequently to prevent over-usage thereby exposing the organization to extra charges beyond what they expected.
6. Control and Monitor User Access
Gaining access to SaaS tools without proper supervision is one of the easiest ways to observe your costs skyrocket, especially if you are charged per seat or user. Access control policies help you define whom should use which tools, by restricting access to files, and applications by role and seniority level. Validate data access rights at regular intervals and revoke access from users because of a change in job position or being transferred. In other words, when managing access to a specific program, you save money that would otherwise have been spent on unnecessary licenses, while ensuring that each license is used by people who need it.
7. Leverage Automated SaaS Spend Management Tools
Managing expenses for SaaS can be highly problematic if there are many tools used across the teams and departments. By using automated software tools applied to SaaS subscriptions, spending monitoring, usage, and the distribution of licenses can be determined, and potential cost savings can be measured. These tools usually generate and offer dashboards, reports that depict how software is being used making it easier for the management to make the right budget decisions. In other words, knowing your SaaS stack helps improve efficiency in spending and thus enhances the SaaS company’s financial DJ.
Conclusion
Managing your SaaS spending effectively is easily one of the best ways to stretch your financials and create a more efficient incumbent. Some of the ways that this can be done include auditing your tools frequently, negotiating with your vendors, combining similar services, and using automated spend management with LeadNears. These strategies do not only reduce expenses—they also guarantee that everyone in your team has what you need to grow and be productive. Start applying these tips today to manage your resources effectively, cut unnecessary expenses, and lay down your future successful business.
