Why SaaS Management is Better in the Open

SaaS sprawl isn’t a secret, but the tools used to manage it often are.

Most organizations are flying blind. They know they have a "zombie license" problem and they suspect they are overspending, but the tools designed to fix these issues often come with their own set of hurdles: opaque pricing, proprietary lock-in, and a "one-size-fits-all" approach that rarely fits anyone perfectly.

There’s a fundamental irony in using a closed-source tool to bring transparency to your tech stack. We believe there’s a better way.

The Problem with the "Black Box" Approach

When you use a proprietary SaaS Management Platform (SMP), you are restricted by the vendor’s roadmap. If they don't support a specific niche tool your team uses, that tool stays in the shadows. You’re forced to trust that:

• Their discovery logic captures everything accurately.
• Their "standard" reports actually show you the metrics you care about.
• Their platform will continue to support the integrations you rely on.

In a closed system, if a feature is missing, your only option is to file a ticket and wait.

The Open Source Advantage: Ownership Over Subscription

Open source isn’t about being "anti-enterprise"; it’s about being pro-flexibility. Solving SaaS sprawl is a data problem, and you should have total control over how that data is collected and viewed.

• Extensibility by Design: Your stack is unique. With an open-source model, if you need a specific connector or a custom report, you (or the community) can build it. You aren't limited by a vendor's "supported integrations" list.
• No Vendor Lock-In: Your data shouldn't be held hostage. Open source gives you the freedom to host, manage, and own your management layer without worrying about a sudden price hike or a forced migration.
• Transparent Logic: See exactly how Saswatch identifies active users and license waste. When you see a recommendation to cut a seat, you can trust the logic because you can see the code behind it.

Solving the Problem Together

The goal of SaaS management shouldn't be to create another siloed department or a complex, locked-down system. It should be to create a clear, shared map of the organization's digital footprint.

By building Saswatch in the open, we’re inviting IT teams to not just use the tool, but to help define how SaaS management should work in the modern era. We’re moving away from "black box" management toward a model where you actually own your infrastructure.