Security & Compliance

  • 14 min read

Top 8 Sonar Software Alternatives & Competitors [2024 Updated]

Minu Joseph

4th January, 2024

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Sonar is an open-source SaaS operations management platform that helps IT teams streamline operations and optimize their software stack. Despite its benefits, the tool's complexity in setup can pose challenges for teams in efficiently managing the organization's SaaS. This post presents the top 8 Sonar Software alternatives curated by our experts to better suit your requirements.

Sonar Software offers advanced features, empowering IT teams to manage SaaS applications efficiently, reduce costs, and enhance performance. With real-time visibility into SaaS usage, IT admin can identify underutilized apps, eliminate redundancies, and make informed procurement decisions.

The platform excels in tracking user behavior, optimizing software licenses, and achieving significant cost savings. Additionally, it automates tasks like user onboarding, license provisioning, and software updates, saving time and resources while ensuring compliance and security.

Despite these advantages, there are potential drawbacks when managing SaaS apps with Sonar. Therefore, you may be exploring prominent Sonar software alternatives for your organization.

So, let's begin this analysis of Sonar software and its competitors, exploring both Sonar's key features and potential drawbacks, enabling you to make an informed choice.

Key Features Of Sonar Software Platform

Below are the key features of the Sonar SaaS Ops management platform, empowering organizations to streamline and optimize their software ecosystem:

• SaaS Visibility: Sonar provides real-time visibility into the usage and performance of SaaS applications, empowering IT teams to monitor and analyze application utilization across the organization.

• SaaS Integration: The platform seamlessly integrates with various SaaS applications, streamlining the management and optimization of the software stack for enhanced efficiency.

• SaaS Workflow Automation: Sonar automates repetitive tasks such as user onboarding, license provisioning, application lifecycle management activities, and software updates, saving time and resources while ensuring compliance and security.

• Threat Alerting: The platform includes threat alerting features, notifying IT teams of potential security threats or anomalies within the SaaS environment, and enabling proactive risk mitigation.

• Access Controls: Sonar offers robust access controls, allowing IT administrators to define and manage user access rights, permissions, and entitlements to enhance security and compliance.

• Usage Monitoring: The platform facilitates comprehensive monitoring of SaaS usage, providing insights into user behavior and application performance to optimize software licenses and achieve cost savings.

Drawbacks of Sonar Software Platform

While Sonar offers valuable features, certain drawbacks might prompt the exploration of Sonar software alternatives:

• Configuration Complexity: Sonar's setup and configuration process can be time-consuming and challenging for IT Admin. This complexity may result in errors or misconfigurations, potentially impacting the performance of SaaS applications.

• Integration Challenges: Sonar may not seamlessly integrate with all SaaS applications, creating challenges for IT Admin to manage and optimize applications outside of Sonar's support. This can necessitate the use of multiple tools, leading to a fragmented and complex management process.

• Steep Learning Curve: Sonar presents a steep learning curve due to a user interface that can be difficult to navigate. Finding required features may be challenging, leading IT teams to spend more time learning the software rather than efficiently managing SaaS applications.

• Limited Customization: Sonar may have limitations in terms of customization, restricting organizations from tailoring the platform to specific and unique requirements, and potentially hindering optimal functionality.

Having acknowledged the drawbacks, let's delve into essential considerations before selecting the optimal alternative to Sonar Software:

Key Factors to Consider When Exploring Sonar Software Alternatives

Let's break down the crucial considerations for selecting effective Sonar Software alternatives, highlighting their associated advantages:

• SaaS Discovery Capability Assessment: A reliable tool should excel in uncovering and categorizing all SaaS applications. This foundational step is vital for comprehensive management and optimization, requiring features that ensure thorough application discovery.

• Cost Optimization Capability Evaluation: Identifying and minimizing costs through the identification of unused licenses is essential for prudent resource allocation. This approach not only leads to significant cost savings but also ensures sustained operational efficiency.

• Risk Management Capability Identification: Effectively managing risks tied to SaaS applications involves continuous monitoring of vulnerabilities and compliance adherence. This capability acts as a protective shield, mitigating the organization's exposure to potential security threats and regulatory violations.

• Integration Capabilities: Seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure is paramount for a smooth implementation, minimizing disruptions. This fosters a cohesive digital environment where the SaaS management tool can seamlessly interact with other applications and services.

• User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive and user-friendly interface is key to enhancing user adoption and reducing the learning curve for both IT administrators and end-users. This results in increased productivity and a positive overall user experience.

• Comprehensive Security Measures: Prioritizing security features is crucial for safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring compliance with industry standards. This commitment enhances data protection, reducing the risk of breaches and maintaining a secure digital workspace.

• Scalability: A scalable SaaS management solution should easily accommodate organizational growth, allowing for the seamless addition of new users, applications, and features. This flexibility ensures the tool remains effective as the organization evolves.

• Automation and Workflow Efficiency: The automation of routine tasks and workflows is a time-saving measure that streamlines operations and reduces manual intervention. This allows IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives, improving overall efficiency.

• Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics: Robust reporting and analytics provide valuable insights into app usage, trends, and performance. This data-driven approach facilitates informed decision-making, optimizes resource allocation, and enhances overall operational efficiency.

• Customization and Flexibility: Customization features align the SaaS management tool with specific organizational needs and workflows. This adaptability ensures a tailored solution, enhancing efficiency by addressing unique requirements and challenges.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Evaluating the cost structure ensures that the benefits of the SaaS management tool outweigh the overall expenditure. Cost-effectiveness involves considering the initial investment and ongoing maintenance, support, and additional costs.

By considering these factors and their associated benefits, organizations can make informed decisions when choosing a SaaS management solution tailored to their unique needs. This ensures establishing a secure, efficient, and adaptable digital workplace and environment.

Now that we've delved into the crucial considerations for exploring Sonar Software alternatives let's introduce you to a variety of exceptional options available in the market.

List of 8 Best Sonar Software Alternatives To Try In 2024

Exploring and examining the prominent SaaS management platforms require a careful evaluation of available options, including alternatives to Sonar. Explore our carefully curated compilation, "Top 8 Sonar Software Alternatives & Competitors," designed to offer a thorough insight into various alternatives and competitors. 

Each entry is distinguished by its unique features, capabilities, and user satisfaction, ensuring a comprehensive overview for informed decision-making.

1. Zluri

Zluri delivers an advanced SaaS management platform tailored specifically for your IT teams. This comprehensive solution serves as a centralized hub, streamlining the discovery, management, security, and optimization of all SaaS applications throughout your organization. Zluri's primary goal is to enhance the efficiency of your SaaS ecosystem by eliminating waste, including unused licenses, duplicate applications, and abandoned apps.

With its centralized interface, Zluri streamlines the identification of unauthorized app acquisitions, non-compliant applications, and potential security vulnerabilities. Providing IT teams with comprehensive control and visibility over their entire SaaS stack, including third-party SaaS apps, Zluri ensures enhanced governance, improved security, and overall efficient management.

Moreover, the platform offers a detailed view, encompassing budget allocation, spend analysis, and insightful data for informed decision-making, ultimately optimizing SaaS spend. It provides essential details, such as departmental budget allocation, a comparison of estimated and actual expenditures, identification of payment cards (personal or corporate), and more. These insights empower users to optimize overall SaaS spending, make informed decisions, and enhance cost efficiency.

In addition to these benefits, the tool automates various IT tasks, including provisioning, deprovisioning, and SaaS app approvals.

Key Features of Zluri's SaaS Management Platform

• Effortless Software Discovery: Zluri employs five robust discovery methods, including Single Sign-On (SSO), financial integrations, API integrations, desktop agents, and browser extensions, ensuring comprehensive software app and license discovery for accurate inventory management.

  

  

• Software Usage Monitoring: Zluri facilitates essential software license usage tracking, helping organizations identify the most and least used applications. Clear insights empower IT teams to negotiate better deals, aligning software subscriptions with actual usage.

  

  

• License Optimization: Centralizing software information, Zluri's platform provides insights into usage, license ownership, quantities, and expenditures. This optimization empowers IT teams to efficiently track and manage assets, leading to enhanced returns on technology investments.

  

  

• SaaS Cost Optimization:  By monitoring software usage and offering a comprehensive overview of the software stack, Zluri facilitates software license optimization, ensuring reduced unnecessary spending while maintaining access to essential productivity tools.

  

  

• SaaS Vendor Management: Serving as a central record-keeper for all software, Zluri's SMP platform seamlessly integrates with core business systems. It automates SaaS vendor management, providing a clear view and control over the evolving software landscape and streamlining workflows effectively.

  

  

• SaaS Renewal Management: Zluri simplifies SaaS renewal management through timely notifications and reminders. The platform offers a centralized renewal calendar to easily track upcoming renewals and contracts. Moreover, it issues alerts 30, 15, and 1 day before contract renewals, accompanied by payment notifications 7 days and 1 day in advance. This guarantees proactive management, allowing for timely actions and a smooth renewal process.

  

  

• Software Procurement and Negotiation: Last but not least, Zluri handles your software procurement and negotiations, securing the best deals and favorable agreements. It also offers a self-serve model, EAS (Employee App Store), for SaaS buying and employee app approvals. This service cuts software costs and frees employees from negotiation hassles, ensuring timely access to the right software.

  

  

Pros

• Zluri goes beyond traditional SaaS management, extending its services to user & application lifecycle management, access management, SaaS procurement, and identity governance. This comprehensive approach addresses diverse IT Ops needs within a unified platform.

• The platform features direct API integrations with an expansive portfolio of over 800+ SaaS apps, and this number continues to grow monthly. This broad integration capability ensures seamless connectivity with various tools and systems.

• Further, it stands out as the exclusive provider of custom integrations, offering an impressive turnaround time of just 36 hours. This unique capability enables IT teams to swiftly tailor connections to specific tools, enhancing flexibility and productivity.

Cons

• While Zluri is exceptionally well-suited for larger or mid-sized organizations, tailored to meet their specific needs, it may offer more functionalities than necessary for smaller organizations with fewer employees. In such cases, the abundance of features provided by Zluri might surpass operational requirements, making it potentially less suitable for smaller setups.

Customer Rating

• G2: 4.9/5

• Capterra: 4.9/5

2. Vendr

Vendr, one of the notable Sonar Software alternatives, distinguishes itself as an all-encompassing SaaS operation management and procurement tool featuring built-in SaaS renewal capabilities. Serving as a unified source of truth, Vendr ensures transparent SaaS visibility across the organization, offering advanced insights into upcoming application renewals. It centralizes the renewal process, providing comprehensive details on recent purchases and deals requiring approval.

Additionally, Vendr empowers IT teams with seamless access and management of the SaaS stack from any location. This enhances convenience and provides flexibility in SaaS management, contributing to an efficient and streamlined operational workflow.

Pros

• Vendr's advanced features effectively consolidate and centralize the entire organizational workflow, promoting a seamless operational structure and enhancing overall efficiency.

• The platform provides dedicated storage for each application's legal, privacy, and security documents. This feature simplifies the management of multiple tools, alleviating the workload for IT teams and ensuring convenient access to essential documentation.

Cons

• The user interface may experience occasional slowdowns when navigating between departments for onboarding and offboarding workflows. This can introduce delays in essential processes, impacting the overall user experience.

• Despite being a robust tool, Vendr may have limitations in flexibility when creating Google Drive reports. This constraint can potentially restrict the depth of data analysis users can perform, influencing the extent of insights derived from the reporting functionalities.

Customer Rating

• G2- 4.7/5

• Capterra: 4.5/5

3. BetterCloud

BetterCloud stands as a widely adopted SaaS management platform, offering IT administrators a centralized and unified solution for the comprehensive management, maintenance, and security of an organization's entire SaaS infrastructure. This versatile tool seamlessly integrates with various core SaaS products, providing a robust suite of capabilities.

With BetterCloud, IT teams can create and enforce tailored management and security policies for SaaS applications. Continuous event monitoring, remediation actions, and automated policy enforcement empower IT administrators to maintain effective control over the SaaS environment. The platform facilitates proactive management and security measures, ensuring compliance and optimizing overall productivity.

Furthermore, BetterCloud streamlines critical processes such as onboarding, offboarding, and mid-lifecycle changes within the organization by automating these functions, leading to increased efficiency.

Pros

• BetterCloud excels in automating routine IT tasks like provisioning and deprovisioning, saving time and mitigating the risk of human error. This enhances overall operational efficiency and productivity within your organization.

• The platform's user-friendly nature ensures a seamless experience, facilitating quick adaptation by your team. This adaptability ensures that your team can swiftly leverage the platform's features to their full potential, efficiently managing your SaaS applications.

Cons

• For organizations dealing with a substantial volume of data requiring action, BetterCloud may not be the optimal choice. The tool limits the number of files it can handle simultaneously, capping it at a maximum of 500 files.

• BetterCloud lacks integration with Citrix products such as ShareFile. This limitation may pose challenges for organizations heavily reliant on Citrix productivity tools, especially those using ShareFile for file sharing and collaboration. Integrating these Citrix products within the BetterCloud platform may encounter constraints in online collaboration.

Customer Rating

• G2: 4.4/5

• Capterra: 4.1/5

4. G2 track

G2 Track acts as a dependable source of truth, elevating your SaaS management experience. Utilizing its robust insights, you can enhance the oversight of licenses, contracts, and expenses. By fine-tuning your software strategy, you can streamline operations, fostering increased agility and cost-effectiveness for your company. This platform effortlessly harmonizes data from diverse accounting, financial, and single sign-on (SSO) systems. Thus, it also acts as an application security software.

Pros

• G2 Track facilitates effortless provisioning and deprovisioning of SaaS applications by IT Admins, streamlining the onboarding and offboarding processes.

• Utilizing G2 Track, you can monitor user access to SaaS applications and establish role-based access controls, ensuring the security and compliance of your organization's SaaS data.

• The user-friendly interface and centralized dashboard of G2 Track streamline data access, providing a convenient overview and enhancing overall usability.

Cons

• The reporting features exhibit limitations in customization, data visualization, and providing detailed analytics, potentially falling short of meeting your expectations.

• Rolling out G2 Track can be intricate and time-intensive, especially for larger organizations with intricate SaaS stacks. This may lead to an elevated workload for IT Admins during implementation.

Customer Rating

• G2- 4.6/5

• Capterra- 4.5/5

5. JumpCloud

JumpCloud, one of the noteworthy Sonar Software alternatives, stands out as an open SaaS operations management platform crafted to ensure secure access to IT resources from any device. It delivers a simple and secure access service to corporate resources, regardless of device or location. Furthermore, it functions as a unified cloud-based solution for IT, security operations, and DevOps teams, effectively managing employee identities and device administration while adhering to Zero Trust principles.

Pros

• The tool offers a unified user active directory across all platforms, streamlining bulk user management and providing comprehensive access management for critical assets.

• It aids in meeting PCI Level 1 compliance requirements, ensuring the security of sensitive payment card data.

• It enhances security by implementing multi-factor authentication, protecting user accounts against various data breaches.

Cons

• The system's tendency to frequently lock machines poses a significant disadvantage as it can potentially disrupt workflow. Unnecessary and frequent machine locking can lead to interruptions in productivity and may result in user frustration.

• Device management capabilities are restricted to Mac devices, leaving a wide range of device types unsupported. This lack of versatility in device management can be a significant drawback for businesses with varied technological requirements.

Customer Rating

• Capterra- 4.7/5

• G2- 4.6/5

6. Zylo

Zylo presents advanced SaaS management software crafted specifically for your IT teams. With a focus on spend management and addressing shadow IT, Zylo empowers your teams to handle SaaS licensing efficiently, control costs, eliminate shadow IT, and streamline renewal negotiations. One of Zylo's standout features is its expertise in optimizing SaaS licensing.

The platform delivers a detailed overview of SaaS usage, allowing your team to identify underutilized licenses and make informed allocation decisions. By harnessing login information and seamlessly integrating it with your financial systems, Zylo's platform compiles comprehensive data on your SaaS stack usage. This offers valuable insights into user adoption and usage patterns, providing a clear understanding of expenditures for each application.

Pros

• The platform's intuitive interface guarantees seamless navigation, enabling your IT teams to utilize the tool effectively without unnecessary complexities.

• Timely alerts for new SaaS expenses are a standout feature, empowering your team to proactively monitor, control, and optimize SaaS spending. This contributes to a device-independent workplace and enhances overall financial management efficiency.

• Zylo seamlessly integrates with various platforms, simplifying data gathering and providing your team with valuable insights. This integration elevates operational efficiency, making it effortless for your team to make informed decisions.

Cons

• Zylo encounters challenges when integrating with certain legacy systems, necessitating IT Admins to make adjustments for seamless integration with the existing infrastructure.

• The platform lacks additional IT management capabilities like network monitoring or server management. This limitation restricts IT admins' ability to oversee the SaaS operation efficiently.

Customer Rating

• G2: 4.8/5

• Capterra: 4.5/5

7. Apptio Cloudability SaaS

Apptio Cloudability SaaS stands as an effective cloud-based software for SaaS portfolio management, dedicated to assisting organizations in discovering and overseeing their SaaS applications. The single platform gathers valuable information about an organization's SaaS usage by consolidating data from the Single Sign-On (SSO) provider and integrating it with expense management systems.

Through Apptio Cloudability SaaS, IT Admins can effortlessly identify recurring costs tied to SaaS applications, obtain insights into the extent of SaaS adoption within the organization, and optimize license agreements for significant cost savings. This tool streamlines the management of an organization's SaaS portfolio, empowering informed decision-making regarding SaaS applications and ensuring effective cost control for security teams.

Pros

• Apptio accurately dissects SaaS spending, providing insights into expenditures based on users, licenses, and departments. This detailed analysis enhances transparency and facilitates targeted cost management.

• The tool excels in identifying inactive or underutilized application licenses, supplying valuable information for optimizing spend. This proactive approach aids organizations in maximizing the efficiency of their software investments.

• Apptio Cloudability SaaS extends beyond spending considerations by tracking applications with GDPR, SOC 2 compliance risks & issues, and employee-related risks. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of the compliance landscape, assisting organizations in managing potential risks effectively.

Cons

• Despite robust features, some users may find Apptio's pricing less affordable, posing a challenge for those seeking more cost-effective solutions.

• Users have reported instances where the support provided by Apptio is not consistently helpful. This inconsistency can be a drawback for users who rely on timely and effective assistance.

• The software mobile application may experience occasional slowdowns and contain random errors, impacting the overall user experience. These performance issues can affect the efficiency and reliability of the tool for users.

Customer Rating

• G2: 4.5/5

• Cpaterra: 4.4/5

8. LeanIX

LeanIX offers a dedicated SaaS management platform focused on discovering, optimizing, and administrating your SaaS applications. Through seamless and direct integration with financial, contract management, and Single Sign-On (SSO) systems, LeanIX facilitates the discovery of applications and provides complete visibility into the organization's SaaS ecosystem.

Prioritizing the tracking, management, and benchmarking of subscribed SaaS applications, the platform ensures adherence to compliance standards. It is pivotal in guiding organizations from a cost-center-driven approach to an IT-enabled strategy.

With a comprehensive repository of information spanning from business architecture to IT architecture, LeanIX offers valuable insights. These insights empower users to exercise control over SaaS spending, efficiently manage subscriptions, and enhance user adoption within the organization.

Pros

• One notable advantage of the tool is its ability to track usage, providing valuable insights into how users interact with applications. This feature empowers organizations to enhance adoption by tailoring strategies based on user behavior.

• The tool's capability to determine compliance exposure is a significant benefit. IT teams can proactively assess and address compliance issues, ensuring adherence to industry regulations and standards.

• Another notable advantage is the tool's capacity to help mitigate application risks. By identifying potential risks early on, organizations can take proactive measures to secure their systems, safeguarding against vulnerabilities and potential threats.

Cons

• While LeanIX offers valuable features, a notable drawback lies in the occasional provision of inaccurate data. Users may encounter inconsistencies or errors, compromising the reliability of the information retrieved from the tool.

• Additionally, the implementation process may pose challenges, requiring users to seek extra support for a smooth setup. This need for additional assistance can impact the initial integration, influencing the overall user experience.

• Moreover, introducing a new and potentially expensive pricing model adds another layer of complexity. The cost implications may raise concerns for organizations, influencing decisions about the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of adopting LeanIX.

Customer Rating

• G2: 4.6/5

• Capterra: 4/5

Why is Zluri the Ultimate Choice Among Sonar Software Alternatives?

Zluri emerges as the premier solution for seamlessly overseeing your SaaS ecosystem. It excels as one of the compelling Sonar Software alternatives, offering extensive visibility, profound optimization capabilities, and robust governance features. 

Here's why Zluri might be the ideal solution for your needs:

• Effortless SaaS License Management: Zluri enables seamless management of SaaS licenses across multiple applications by centralizing them into a single platform. Its intuitive filters save time and provide easy access to license details.

• Renewal Calendar and Alerts: Zluri's Renewal Calendar ensures timely awareness of license renewals, preventing missed deadlines and unplanned auto-renewals. Users receive proactive payment reminders for effective renewal management.

• Intelligent Integration Capabilities: Zluri offers intelligent and seamless integrations that improve overall SaaS license management, facilitating smooth data flow across platforms for a more interconnected workflow.

• Auto-Fetch License Details: Upon successful integration, Zluri automatically retrieves license details, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors associated with manual data entry.

  

  

Selecting Zluri over Sonar Software alternatives signifies a strategic move for organizations seeking streamlined and proactive SaaS operations management. Its innovative features simplify license management across various SaaS applications, ensuring confident navigation through complex license & payment renewals.

Book a personalized demo and witness Zluri in action today!

FAQs

1. What are SaaS Management Tools?

SaaS (Software as a Service) management tools are specialized solutions designed to oversee and optimize the usage of various software applications within an organization. These tools provide functionalities for monitoring, controlling, and enhancing the efficiency of SaaS applications throughout their lifecycle.

2. Why are SaaS Management Tools Essential?

SaaS management platforms are essential for the following reasons:-

• Cost Control: SaaS management tools help organizations control costs by providing insights into software usage. This allows for efficient resource allocation and identifying unused or underutilized licenses, optimizing expenditure.

• Compliance Assurance: Ensuring compliance with licensing agreements, security protocols, and industry regulations is critical. SaaS management tools help track and enforce compliance, reducing the risk of legal and security issues.

• Efficiency Enhancement: These tools streamline onboarding, offboarding, and license renewal workflows. By automating routine tasks, they enhance operational efficiency and save valuable time for IT teams.

• Visibility and Transparency: SaaS management tools offer visibility into the organization's software landscape. This transparency helps understand application usage patterns, make informed decisions, and plan for future software needs.

• Security and Risk Management: Managing security risks associated with SaaS applications is crucial. These tools provide insights into vulnerabilities, allowing organizations to address potential threats and maintain a secure digital environment.

• User Productivity: By ensuring users have access to the right tools and licenses when needed, SaaS management tools increase user productivity. This is achieved by minimizing disruptions and optimizing the availability of essential software.

Thus, SaaS management tools play a pivotal role in efficiently managing the diverse array of software applications within an organization. They contribute to cost savings, compliance adherence, workflow optimization, enhanced security, and overall improved productivity.

3. Why consider Sonar Software alternatives for SaaS management in 2024?

Exploring alternatives ensures organizations stay abreast of evolving technologies and artificial intelligence and can choose the best-fit solution for their unique SaaS management needs. This blog and the above-mentioned tools will guide you through the top alternatives for the current year.

4. How do these alternatives compare to Sonar Software in terms of features and capabilities?

Each alternative on our list offers distinct features and capabilities. This analysis will provide:

• A comparative analysis.

• Helping you understand the strengths and advantages of each alternative.

• Aiding in an informed decision-making process.

5. Is exploring a trial or demo for these alternatives possible before deciding?

Absolutely! Many Sonar Software alternatives provide trial or demo options, allowing you to experience their functionalities firsthand. This enables you to evaluate their compatibility with your organization's specific SaaS management needs before committing.

6. What factors should be considered when selecting a SaaS management solution from the alternatives?

Choosing the right SaaS management tool involves considering various factors. This blog will outline key considerations such as cost, flexibility, user interface, and integration capabilities to help you make an informed decision aligned with your organizational needs.

7. How can these sonar software alternatives enhance SaaS management efficiency in 2024?

As technology evolves, so do the features of SaaS management tools. This blog will delve into the unique aspects of each alternative, showcasing how they contribute to enhanced efficiency, security, and productivity in the ever-evolving landscape of online services like SaaS management.

About the author

Minu Joseph

Minu is a product marketer with dynamic digital marketing support and a background in journalism. She has a comprehensive understanding of B2B marketing strategy and content writing.