SaaSMe Unfiltered: The SaaS Management Podcast

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 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...

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 an...

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...

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 pi...

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...

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 Intr...

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 An...

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 S...

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 Saa...

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 enter...

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...

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 out...

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 Takeaway...

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 e...

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 build...

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 que...

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 optimiz...

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 An...

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 a...

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?...

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 organization...

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...

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 t...

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...