As more and more businesses and organizations explore the benefits of SaaS (Software-as-a-Service), making sure those applications are managed correctly is crucial.
The COVID pandemic accelerated the rate at which SaaS applications gained acceptance, and in many cases the decisions and choices that accompanied acceptance were made by individual end-users. Since every application is different, a managed approach to SaaS technology is imperative. Managed SaaS can help you ensure your business, employees, and clients are safe and secure.
The Top Three Issues Alleviated by Managed SaaS
Managed SaaS delivered by an MSP (Managed Services Provider) is the best way to ensure your applications are sized right for your organization, compatible, current, and compliant. Managed SaaS will often be included in a suite of technology solutions that helps you avoid major problems and stay cyber-safe. Some of the biggest issues that can be lessened by the use of Managed SaaS are:
Unused Software Licenses
If you have purchased and installed software applications in your office at any time, you have likely purchased user licenses to accompany those applications. Oftentimes, those end-user licenses were sold in “blocks” or groups — say, 5 users or 10 users or 50 users, for example. Over time, as employees came and went and your needs changed, you may have accumulated dormant, or unused, licenses which you no longer need but still pay for.
Managed SaaS is a great way to alleviate the cost of dormant licenses by having your MSP manage your cloud-based software and keep current on your users. Many organizations find that managing licenses this way not only pays for itself, but saves the business additional money.
Data Sprawl
Data Sprawl has been with us since the first person ever copied-and-pasted a spreadsheet. Data Sprawl is the proliferation of information in different places or on multiple platforms. It’s a huge problem because it results in people using different versions of information, resulting in disconnect and errors because each user believes he or she is using up-to-date information when in fact they are not.
It’s easy to see how data sprawl can get a foothold in an organization quickly: if some users adopt Microsoft Teams as their chat application, and others adopt Slack, you can potentially create two lists of Contacts within your organization, and updates made to one won’t be replicated to the other.
A Managed Services Provider can help you determine which applications to use and which to remove, streamlining collaboration and communication while ensuring all the apps you use are safe.
Cybersecurity
Perhaps most importantly, implementing Managed SaaS can also contribute to your organization’s overall cybersecurity.
The risk of data loss and extended downtime for your firm resulting from unauthorized applications running on your computer network (“Shadow IT”) can not be overstated. By assigning oversight to your Managed Services Provider, you are significantly reducing your firm’s exposure to hackers and risk.
Final Thoughts
One of the fastest-growing technology sectors today is SaaS and it’s essential to have the right management in place. There’s no need to handle it all on your own. Managed IT service companies can offer the tools and knowledge needed to keep you safe. If you don’t have a trusted partner managing your SaaS applications, reach out to experienced professionals who can help.
