Calero launches SaaS tool to cut costs & tackle shadow IT
Calero has launched a new software-as-a-service (SaaS) management solution intended to help IT leaders address the challenges of shadow SaaS adoption, uncontrolled spend, and the optimisation of application usage.
The company's new offering is structured to provide value to IT teams that are increasingly tasked with managing an expanding suite of cloud-based applications, often without the benefit of additional resources or headcount. The solution aims to deliver benefits across three primary areas: visibility, control, and optimisation of SaaS assets.
Increasing SaaS complexity
As organisations expand their reliance on cloud applications, Calero notes that a significant portion of SaaS tools are now being acquired outside formal IT and procurement channels. This growing phenomenon of 'shadow SaaS' can lead to redundancies, unnecessary expenditure, data silos, and additional operational risks for businesses.
The new SaaS Management Platform (SMP) is designed to provide support for IT departments at various stages of their SaaS and financial operations (FinOps) maturity. The solution responds to the need for rapid insight, without imposing additional workload on teams already managing multiple priorities.
Segmented approach
The company's offering comprises several modules. The Visibility component gives IT leaders immediate access to comprehensive information about which SaaS applications are in use across the organisation, including identifying unapproved or potentially risky tools. By leveraging existing data sources, the module aims to deliver rapid value with minimal overhead or cost.
Calero's Control module provides real-time, actionable intelligence to optimise relationships with key SaaS vendors. By consolidating discovery sources, finance system data, and vendor records, organisations can access a single source of truth about their application portfolio. This information is intended to help teams drive more efficient use of software licences, strengthen renewal negotiations, and maintain accountability across departments.
The final component, Optimisation, is aimed at helping organisations achieve strategic IT management objectives by enabling more efficient use of staff resources. By making use of Calero's managed services expertise, this module supports activities such as vendor data collection, licence management for staff changes, and renewal preparation, with the goal of improving user experiences and securing cost savings in SaaS spend.
Leadership perspective
"Many leaders recognise they have a significant SaaS management problem but are unsure where to start," said Scott Gilbert, CEO of Calero. "Inaction comes at a cost. With over 30 years' experience helping organisations manage telecommunications, mobility, and market data, Calero makes it easier for leaders to address these challenges. We're committed to lowering barriers to entry and leading the way again."
Focus on immediate value
The company emphasises that the SaaS Management Platform is intended to be accessible for overstretched IT functions and to fit into existing technology management workflows. By targeting specific problems such as unauthorised SaaS proliferation and inefficient spending, Calero states the solution is designed to deliver tangible value quickly, without necessitating significant organisational change or resource allocation.
With SaaS adoption rates continuing to rise, technology teams are under pressure to regain oversight and control over their software environments. Calero's solution, structured around targeted modules, is positioned as a response to the increasingly complex IT and procurement landscape faced by enterprises of varying sizes.
