3 Key Features to Look for in a SaaS Management Tool

Choosing the right SaaS management tool can make a huge difference in reducing costs, improving security, and saving time. Whether you're a startup scaling fast or a growing business juggling dozens of apps, here are three must-have features to look for.

1. Centralized License Management

Managing a growing number of software licenses across departments can quickly become chaotic. The right tool should give you a single place to:

• Track all licenses: Keep a live inventory of active, expired, and unused licenses.

• Automate renewals: Set reminders or auto-renew rules to avoid service disruptions and surprise bills.

• Reclaim unused seats: Identify underutilized licenses and reassign or cancel them to save money.

Example: A mid-sized company with teams using different design, communication, and CRM tools often loses track of unused licenses. Centralized visibility makes it easier to spot and clean up waste.

2. Usage Analytics and Smart Recommendations

Knowing which tools are being used — and which aren’t — is critical. A good platform should offer:

• Clear usage reports: See how often each app is used, and by whom.

• Spending insights: Compare app costs against actual usage to pinpoint waste.

• Actionable suggestions: Get tailored ideas, like consolidating tools or downgrading underused plans.

Example: A team might realize they’re paying for two nearly identical tools, only using one of them. With that insight, they can streamline and save.

3. Integration with Your Existing Stack

Your SaaS management tool should fit into your current workflows — not disrupt them. Look for:

• SSO and identity integrations: Support for systems like Google Workspace, Okta, or JumpCloud.

• Built-in security: Features like MFA support and audit trails help maintain compliance.

• Scalability: Make sure the platform can keep up as your team grows or your app ecosystem expands.

Example: A company already using an identity provider should be able to manage user access and deprovisioning directly from their SaaS management platform — no extra manual steps needed.

How ShiftControl Brings These Features Together

At ShiftControl, we’ve built our platform around the needs of startups and small businesses that want to manage their SaaS stack without hiring a full IT team. Here's how we deliver on the three essentials:

• Unified license management: See all your SaaS apps in one place. Track users, licenses, and costs effortlessly.

• Insight-driven optimization: Get clear usage data and recommendations to eliminate waste and maximize ROI.

• Smooth integrations: Connect easily to your identity provider and get secure, automated provisioning right out of the box.

ShiftControl helps you take control of your SaaS — no spreadsheets, no guesswork, just smarter decisions.