What is SaaS sprawl?

SaaS sprawl is the uncontrolled use of software-as-a-service applications within an organization. This phenomenon occurs when SaaS applications are used without proper oversight and management.

Sprawl can occur when multiple departments purchase and use SaaS applications on their own without the supervision or coordination of the IT department. This can cause decreased efficiency and financial strain on an organization.

SaaS tools generally require subscriptions and are cloud-based software applications that users access via web browsers and mobile apps. The service provider stores all underlying infrastructure and app data in its data center. This eliminates the need for installation on local computers or devices.

Some common SaaS products that businesses might use include email, collaboration and scheduling apps; e-commerce platforms; CRM tools; and human resource management systems.

SaaS provides organizations and individuals with convenient access to many services over the internet. Benefits of SaaS use include automatic software updates, the ability to scale resources and improved accessibility.

Causes of SaaS sprawl

A general lack of oversight and IT support can lead to SaaS sprawl. However, several common causes of SaaS sprawl within organizations exist:

An abundance of options and ease of access

SaaS applications are available to solve nearly any problem an organization might face. Purchasing a subscription to SaaS is usually as easy as visiting a website or downloading an application. This makes it easy and tempting for employees or department supervisors to purchase subscriptions to multiple SaaS applications and software.

Lack of procedure

Many organizations do not have an official procedure for purchasing and using new applications. Individual departments or employees downloading applications without approval from IT is known as shadow IT and can lead to SaaS sprawl. A lack of established onboarding procedures and IT oversight can result in redundant software purchases, uncontrolled adoption of SaaS applications and security risks.

Not using existing tools

When employees aren’t aware of existing tools available to them, they are more likely to adopt other applications to fulfill their needs. This results in redundancies in applications, which can lead to undue financial waste for the organization. Lack of onboarding and education on existing applications can inhibit potential productivity and workflow.

Company culture

A company culture that does not embrace the adoption of SaaS applications and tools might find departments making these purchases and decisions independently. Companies that do not provide IT resources and oversight for software and applications are more likely to experience decentralized purchasing. When individual departments have their own policies regarding software use, poor communication between departments can result in duplicate purchases and policies that vary widely across the company. This can lead to failure to follow industry standards and best practices and make the company vulnerable to security risks.

Read the rest of the article here: https://easysam.co.uk/knowledge-base/what-is-saas-sprawl/