License Optimization 101: Stop Paying for Unused SaaS Seats

When actively looking for ways to cut unnecessary costs related to SaaS and AI app spend, focusing on license optimization helps achieve impactful results. According to Gartner, only 5% of companies report gaining value from their Microsoft 365 investments.

Proper optimization of licenses not only brings down wasteful spending but also improves the overall security posture. In this guide, we have shown how you can use CloudFuze Manage to streamline license optimization and eliminate spend leakages.

Key Takeaways:
✔ SaaS license optimization is about optimizing the usage of licenses to avoid wasteful spend related to underusage.
✔ Checking inactive users is a proven license optimization method.
✔ CloudFuze Manage provides several cost-saving opportunity recommendations.

Check Inactive Users in Top Ten Apps

One of the first and the most result-oriented license optimization steps to take is to check apps with the highest number of inactive users. CloudFuze Manage provides a list of top ten apps with active, inactive, guest active, and guest inactive users in a centralized dashboard.

By checking the inactive users, your finance team can take strategic cost saving decisions.

Check Assigned Licenses in Each App

The next important step to optimize licenses of all SaaS and AI apps is to check assigned licenses. In CloudFuze Manage tool’s left panel, click on “Applications.” Choose the app on which you want to improve cost efficiency.

Toggle the “License Management” option. There, you can view the number of licenses assigned out of the total licenses available.

Spot Cost Savings Opportunity in Each App

CloudFuze Manage directly shows potential savings opportunities. Under “App Insights,” you can see user activity in each app based on which CloudFuze Manage suggests potential savings.

Identify Hidden License Spend (Shadow IT)

It is next to impossible to control what you cannot see. Shadow IT apps are the invisible layer in your SaaS and AI app stack you must uncover and govern. CloudFuze Manage lets you identify all shadow IT apps. You can then take strategic decisions to remove them for cost efficiency as well as security and compliance improvements.

Check Overlapping Apps (for License Redundancy)

Lastly, make sure to check overlapping apps; apps that are similar often lead to unnecessary expenses.

For example, if your company has licenses for similar cloud collaboration platforms like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Dropbox, etc., consolidating into a single cloud platform and removing licenses of the remaining platforms can be an impactful cost-saving move.

CloudFuze Manage shows detailed App Consolidation Reports that group together apps that serve the same or similar functionalities.

Optimize Licenses and Control SaaS Costs with CloudFuze Manage

Leverage CloudFuze Manage to gain full visibility into license usage and align it strategically with SaaS spend. Apart from bringing cost under control, you can also eliminate shadow IT, govern unauthorized AI usage, and do a whole lot more.

Get a free and no-obligation demo of CloudFuze Manage today!

Learn more about CloudFuze Manage in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1n2Szmhl7k

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is SaaS license optimization?

SaaS license optimization is about optimizing license usages and costs related to it. One of the best ways to optimize licenses is to check and ensure all licenses are being used actively in the organization to gain maximum value from license spends.

2. How to identify unused software subscriptions?

One of the easiest and most secure ways to identify unused software subscriptions is to use CloudFuze Manage’s license management feature. In the tool, select your preferred software and select the license management option. There, you’ll be able to see the number of licenses used and compare it against the total licenses available.

3. Which platforms offer SaaS license managemcent with cost-saving features?

CloudFuze Manage offers advanced license intelligence features along with potential savings recommendations. It also helps you establish proper governance over shadow IT, unauthorized AI usage, and more.