6 Key Metrics to Track for Improved SaaS Stack Management

As third-party SaaS apps become increasingly prevalent in modern workplaces, CIOs need comprehensive visibility into their organization's SaaS stack. As a CIO, you should have real-time insights on SaaS usage, spending, security, and compliance risks.

These insights will help you make informed decisions and ensure the smooth functioning of the IT infrastructure.

SaaS reports are analytical data that provide IT leaders with valuable insights into their organization's SaaS applications. In addition, these reports can help you analyze various metrics, such as license optimization, security, compliance, and SaaS spend optimization.

Monitoring these metrics helps you take measures to mitigate the risk of a breach. Further, Using SaaS reports, you can identify trends and patterns in application usage, which leads to informed decisions about which applications to keep and remove.

These are the types of third-party SaaS reports that you can have to receive the above insights.

1. SaaS usage report
2. SaaS spend optimization report
3. License optimization report
4. Upcoming renewals report
5. Security and Compliances Report

Having these reports will let you make accurate decisions in your SaaS operations and management. How do these reports contribute to your strategic decision-making process? By offering the following benefits.

• Complete visibility into usage and spend: With proper SaaS reports, you will have a 360-degree view of your organization's SaaS stack and how much is spent on each one. Thus, you can identify unused or unnecessary SaaS applications and avoid overspending.
• Quick identification of security risks: SaaS reports help you identify risks such as unauthorized access and potential data breaches. You can address the identified risks and mitigate cyberattacks by identifying these on time.
• Zero compliance issues: With SaaS reports, you can ensure that you meet regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX, thereby avoiding penalties and reputational damage.

Now that we've talked about how third-party SaaS reports are beneficial. Let's uncover these 6 SaaS reports and how they improve your SaaS stack management.

6 Essential SaaS Reports for CIOs to Monitor

If you want to make an informed decision about optimizing SaaS usage, spending, and application security, and improve operational efficiency, here are the 6 crucial third-party SaaS reports you must have

1. Total no. of SaaS Apps & Users Report

The report is a comprehensive list of all the SaaS applications and their users in your organization.

This report also includes redundant or restricted apps that have been identified, which no longer be necessary or pose security risks. Using this report, you can manage and optimize the organization's SaaS usage.

Speaking of why you need this report, here's a platform that provides detailed and timely SaaS app & usage reports.

Zluri is a SaaS management platform that aids CIOs in managing their organization's SaaS portfolio.

In this report, you get insights into application names, owners, categories, and redundant and restricted apps.

For redundant apps, it gives you an entire list of all such apps, along with users currently utilizing them and the total usage cost.

For restricted apps, it gives you a list of all the critical apps with high threat levels. Using this, you can easily monitor the many such apps and take the required steps to mitigate any security risks.

With this valuable information at your fingertips, you can effortlessly monitor and manage your SaaS stack.

Whether you're seeking to streamline your SaaS stack, optimize your application portfolio, or monitor your SaaS apps', this report is critical for your organization.

2. App-wise monthly Spend Report

The App-wise monthly spend report is a detailed breakdown of the monthly cost of each application in your organization. It provides an ultimate view of your spending patterns at an application level, allowing you to identify which applications are leading to higher SaaS spend.

Does Zluri provide this report?

Yes! Zluri's App-wise monthly spend report gives you critical insights into your organization's app-wise monthly spend. With this report, you can make informed decisions about which applications to optimize based on their overall SaaS spend.

3. Department-wise Spend Report

Department-wise Spend Report provides CIO with information on how much each department spends on third-party SaaS applications in an organization. In addition, the report outlines the expenses incurred by each department during a specific period, typically a month, quarter, or year. It is a critical resource for CIOs to ensure that resources are being used efficiently across all departments.

How does Zluri's Department-wise Spend Report help CIOs?

Zluri provides a report on the Department-wise budget and presents a breakdown of departmental expenses with metadata like Department Name, Budget, and Spend.

This report lets you filter the data using parameters like Department Name, Budget value, Month, and Financial Year. With this report, you can identify and analyze the spending trends and patterns, unlocking valuable insights into departmental spending.

These reports help CIOs contribute to budgetary decisions by improving the understanding of departmental spending.

4. License Optimization Report

A License Optimization Report provides a detailed analysis of SaaS licenses owned by your organization and how effectively they are being utilized. With these reports, you can reduce costs with license optimization and ensure compliance with software licensing agreements.

It gives insights into the number of licenses purchased, currently in use, and unused or underutilized.

This report helps CIOs gain complete visibility into their SaaS licensing usage and ensure they are using their licenses effectively, reducing unnecessary expenses.

How can Zluri help you with SaaS license optimization?

Yes. Zluri does provide you with License Optimization Reports, including details about each license, to whom it is assigned when it was last used, and its average usage percentage.

With these insights, you can effortlessly optimize your license usage like a pro.

5. Upcoming Renewals Report

This report provides insights into contracts and subscriptions, including details about the renewal date, terms and conditions, pricing, and other relevant information.

You can plan, ‌negotiate better renewal terms, and avoid any penalties for late renewals by receiving timely reminders about upcoming renewals.

Are you tired of being caught off guard by contract renewals?

Don't worry, Zluri got you covered! Zluri's Upcoming Renewals report includes the application's name, the contract's name, the renewal type, and the cost. With this up-to-date information in hand, you can keep up with the impending renewals and communicate the same to the procurement team for timely action.

Furthermore, it helps you optimize your SaaS budget allocation for the best possible outcomes.

6. Security & Compliance Report

This report provides information about the security and compliance posture of the SaaS apps used in an organization. In addition, it typically contains details about the security policies, procedures, and controls that are in place to protect the sensitive data related to those SaaS apps.

The report may also include information about any compliance standards or regulations the organization must adhere to, such as HIPAA, GDPR, or PCI DSS. The report aims to provide stakeholders with an overview of the organization's SaaS security and compliance status, identify any areas for improvement, and help ensure that the organization is meeting its obligations and maintaining regulatory compliance.

How does Zluri's security & compliance report help?

The Security & Compliance report provides CIOs with valuable insights into the risk score, threat score, security probe score, and compliance information.

Further, the report's data helps you assess your IT infrastructure's security posture, spot potential vulnerabilities, and take proactive measures to reduce any risks.

In the end, the report assists in making sure that your company complies with pertinent laws and standards, protecting your sensitive data.

How Zluri's Automated Report Generation Feature Can Help You?

Generating reports can go no better with Zluri! With just a few clicks, you can effortlessly create reports and even schedule them to run automatically at a designated time. This streamlined process helps you save time and increases your productivity, allowing you to focus on more important tasks.

Moreover, Zluri offers the convenience of scheduled reports, where all your previously scheduled reports are stored in one central location. This feature allows you to stay organized and track all your reports, ensuring you always have access to the insights you need.

With Zluri, IT heads can streamline the workflow, optimize their software portfolio, and make data-driven decisions that propel the organization forward!

What are you waiting for? Book your demo now and take the first step toward unlocking the full potential of your SaaS environment.