What Is SaaS Operations? (Definition And Responsibilities)

Updated 27 March 2023

As technology continues to advance, most organisations are adapting to different computer software that can help them function efficiently and ensure optimum workflow. As an individual, you may also use many software programs, both personally and professionally, that facilitate easy management of your routine tasks. If you are thinking of pursuing a career in software-as-a-service (SaaS), learning more about the subject and what it entails can be helpful to you. In this article, we discuss SaaS operations (SaaSOps), learn the responsibilities of SaaSOps experts, identify their skills and work environment and explain how to get a job in this field.

What is SaaS operations?

Before learning the answer to the question, 'What is SaaS operations?', gaining a basic understanding of software-as-a-service (SaaS) is essential. SaaS is a software licensing model that provides access to software via external servers on a subscription basis. Instead of installing software on the user's personal computer, SaaS lets them access programs via the internet. SaaS operations entail acquiring the right selection of SaaS products, managing user access to these apps, supervising their usage and offboarding them correctly when they are no longer necessary.

Simply put, SaaS operations refer to the daily processes of the identification, purchase, maintenance and cancellation of SaaS products in an organisation. You may use SaaS operations management to find, manage and optimise apps. It helps you to improve security and compliance while also saving time spent on manual audits and lowering overall expenditures.

Primary responsibilities of a SaaS operations team

If you plan to work in SaaSOps, it is essential to know the responsibilities the role entails. The responsibilities that SaaS operations management team fulfils are crucial for businesses that offer SaaS programs. Here are the principal duties of a SaaS operations team:

Help choose the right software

SaaS operations teams' primary role is to assist users and other teams in becoming efficient software users and help them use it successfully. SaaSOps can assist organisations in making purchase decisions as SaaS specialists. While departments and individual subscribers make regular purchasing decisions regarding SaaS, the SaaS operations team helps them select the software most suited to their requirements. As businesses grow, they frequently encounter additional difficulties that only new software solutions can address, which the SaaS operations professionals provide.

Maintain a system of records and optimise the SaaS budget

SaaS operations teams establish a system of records for software to help identify underutilised, duplicate or unused products, using the SaaS memberships. It is critical to understand what type of SaaS one employs, so that SaaS operations specialists may do fewer manual tasks and use that time to contribute positively to their organisation's setup. These teams help maximise utilisation of the SaaS budget, look for and even generate potential savings.

Automate SaaS administration

When compared to organisations that use SaaS, companies that use traditional software usually employ very few software applications. Whenever companies use new SaaS products, they increase administration tasks and spend considerable time fulfilling them. It can take some time to locate invoices from the company, compare them to payments or expenditure reports and conduct the bookkeeping. SaaS operations automate the administration process. The SaaS teams typically search for ways to make the product as cost-effectively as possible, which helps the finances of the company. They may also help automate routine operational activities like licence assignment, approval and request management.

Assist in the onboarding and offboarding process

SaaS operations teams help make the human resources personnel's work easier. When appointing and discharging employees, managers usually require the knowledge of what kind of SaaS the employees use and what SaaS they worked, protecting a company's files. This helps prevent accidental and intentional data breaches and leaks of proprietary information. SaaS operations teams play a critical role in this situation because they can use systems and build security processes that benefit both the corporation and the customers and safeguard their data privacy.

Help with compliance

A SaasOps management team makes it easier for companies to function per the established guidelines involving data privacy. Rather than individually ensuring that each app complies with the requirements, information technology (IT) teams may receive this information quickly through centralised monitoring and management of SaaS apps. These teams handle approvals and authorisations involved in business cases and risk assessments.

They record and report every undocumented and unapproved SaaS service. SaaSOps teams may combine authorisation and payment into a single process. They also ensure the vendors their organisation works with are also strictly compliant to confirm there is no risk of data breaches.

Fundamental skills for SaaS operations professionals

Here are a few skills that specialists working in SaaS operations may generally possess:

Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are essential to succeed and bring value in this field, as it differs from traditional IT. Processes are frequently on shorter timelines and the ability to produce hotfixes may be necessary regularly. As a result, engineers in this discipline receive the training to resolve these issues. Most developers might work in groups, so resolving serious difficulties in a collaborative setting may require a high level of technical expertise. This ability is crucial in a variety of areas, including process management, design and even security.

Technical skills

Companies typically prefer candidates with cloud computing abilities to enhance data security and save time and money. This requires knowledge of server administration and coding languages. Employers usually appreciate professionals who are conversant in a variety of operating systems. It ensures that a SaaS developer can resolve complications, such as blocking, storage issues, slow processes and incompatible tools.

A SaaS operations engineer typically requires expertise in software frameworks and software building platforms. Even if your team does not handle any technical or programming aspects, possessing a working knowledge of software products and services is essential to working as an ethical hacker.

Analytical skills

Analytical talents enable you to understand the structure of a problem, evaluate and resolve it, provide observations and find innovative solutions. Analytical thinking entails making correct assessments of events and gaining insights into how various aspects interact. As a result, analytical skills help determine cause and effect, along with foreseeing the effects of potential solutions. SaaSOps teams require analytical strengths because they are necessary for the company's operations development and strategy-planning and can help you make effective decisions to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Compliance skills

SaaS operations teams require familiarity with industry guidelines, as possessing compliance skills is essential to perform their duties. They typically adhere to data privacy and information security standards because SaaS delivers the service directly to the organisation or end-users. These can be industry-specific standards with a complete framework or other standards with a similar level of precision. It is their responsibility to understand how to work within these guidelines and verify that there is no risk of non-compliance when collaborating with a client.

Work environment of a SaaS operations team

SaaS operations teams generally work in a fast-paced environment. They might fulfil their responsibilities from a computer at work and have regular office hours working in an office space or they may work remotely from the comfort of their homes. They might often work long hours and overtime if there is a deadline to meet. This usually depends on their workload, the organisation they work for and the duties they perform. SaaS operations specialists might choose among many career paths. This might include software engineering, product management, project management, marketing, sales, operations and finance.

How to get a job in SaaS operations

Follow the steps given below to help you get a job in SaaS operations:

1. Get a college degree

Though you might not always require a bachelor's degree or formal education to get a job in SaaSOps, it may be helpful. Most employers prefer candidates who complete their graduate studies. You might opt for a bachelor's in computer science, like a B.Sc or B.Tech or do a course in sales or marketing. Consider getting additional certifications that help to improve your skills and expand your knowledge, which can serve as impressive credentials.

2. Apply for an internship

Getting an internship allows you to acquire professional experience with supervision by skilled industry specialists. Internships can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the company and internship. Applying for an internship in a SaaS company might be especially helpful in developing practical knowledge and give you a better sense of the business and the work environment. This helps determine if you want a career in the field.

3. Draft your resume

Create a functional resume if you do not possess sufficient work history, as it focuses on your skill set rather than your professional background. If you are new to the field, consider including a resume objective. If you possess some years of experience, drafting a resume summary might be more suitable. You may send a cover letter, along with your resume, while applying for a position at a company. This makes you seem professional and lets you highlight your candidacy. Research the organisation and also determine if the position aligns with your goal before sending your application.

What Is SaaS Operations? (Definition And Responsibilities)