What are price uplifts?
In the context of SaaS, price uplifts refer to an increase in the price of a software subscription. While many software providers will implement price uplifts on an annual basis, typically at the point of renewal, others may review and amend their pricing more frequently, for example on a quarterly basis. It is recommended that buyers negotiate a price uplift cap during the initial contract negotiation stage, placing a limit on the maximum amount the subscription can be increased by within a specified time period.
Related Definitions
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
What is a service level agreement in SaaS?
A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is a subset of a Master Service Agreement (MSA) and contains specific details about the level of service that will be provided by the SaaS vendor. This agreement will specifically define the performance metrics, responsibilities, and expectations of both parties.
An SLA is likely to include uptime guarantees, the level of support that will be provided to the customer, response times for any support requests, information on how these requests will be managed and escalated, information on how the vendor will protect the customer’s data and ensure the security of its systems and networks, as well as details on how it will compensate the customer if it fails to meet the agreed-upon service levels.
Decentralized Procurement
What is decentralized procurement?
Decentralized purchasing in SaaS refers to the process of allowing individual departments or teams within an organization to make their own purchasing decisions for software applications. This is in contrast to a centralized purchasing model, where all purchasing decisions are approved by a single procurement team or a department such as finance.
While a decentralized purchasing model can provide teams with the flexibility to select and purchase the tools that best meet their needs, without having to wait for approvals or navigate bureaucratic purchasing processes, it can create challenges for the company. This can include reduced buying power, higher costs, lack of control over vendor relationships, and increased compliance and legal risks.
Outsourced Procurement
What is meant by outsourced SaaS procurement?
Outsourced procurement in SaaS refers to the process of hiring a third-party vendor to manage some or all aspects of a company’s procurement process. This can involve negotiating with vendors on your behalf to secure the best possible price and terms on any SaaS contract, while also refining, implementing and enforcing procurement processes that ultimately protect your business.
SaaS Sprawl
What is SaaS sprawl?
SaaS sprawl, also known as software sprawl, occurs when an organization’s SaaS stack consists of a large — and often unmanageable — number of applications.
Ultimately, as business needs grow, the number of digital tools required increases, which leads to new applications being subscribed to, be this through a centralized process or at the will of individual employees.
Cloud Cost Optimization
What is Cloud Cost Optimization?
Cloud cost optimization refers to the process of reducing and optimizing cloud spending, while ensuring optimal resource utilization and maintaining desired performance levels. It ultimately involves managing cloud costs without compromising business objectives or user experience.
Centralized Procurement
What is centralized procurement in SaaS?
Centralized SaaS procurement is a model in which all software purchasing decisions are made or approved by a single department, often either IT, procurement or finance. By having a streamlined process for purchasing and renewing software solutions, organizations can ensure they have total visibility of their SaaS apps, prevent wasted spend and maximize purchasing power.