How Syngenta’s SAM team embraced SaaS management with Trelica

Syngenta, a global leader in agriculture, faced challenges in managing its extensive portfolio of SaaS applications. With over 900 applications and more than 50,000 employees globally, they needed a solution to gain visibility and optimize software usage effectively. Partnering with Crayon for advisory services, Syngenta chose Trelica to address these needs.

Challenges

Syngenta's primary challenges included:

1. Lack of visibility: With numerous SaaS applications spread across departments, understanding usage patterns and software spend was complex.
2. Resource constraints: Limited human and financial resources made adopting a lean approach to SAM essential.
3. SaaS underutilization & redundancy: Identifying and addressing underused or redundant software was critical to optimizing costs and improving efficiency.

Solution

Syngenta implemented Trelica, a comprehensive SaaS management platform, with strategic guidance from Crayon, a global leader in cloud-based software and IT services. The integration with Microsoft Entra ID was pivotal, allowing Syngenta to quickly gather data on nearly 50,000 employees, contractors, and service accounts. This integration provided a holistic view of their software landscape, facilitating informed decision-making.

Implementation

The implementation process involved several key steps:

1. Quick Integration: Syngenta quickly integrated Trelica with Microsoft Entra ID, allowing immediate data collection and analysis. "The insights gained were invaluable from the start," noted Frank Dugrillon, Strategic Supplier Manager at Syngenta.
2. Collaboration: The project was a joint effort between Syngenta, Crayon, and Trelica. Crayon played a crucial advisory role in shaping the strategy, ensuring the successful utilization and recognition of optimization potential, and building a clear business case based on optimization. "It was not an outsourcing of responsibility but a collaborative effort," emphasized Michael Altenberger, Service Director at Crayon.
3. Data Integration: Leveraging Trelica’s out-of-the-box Microsoft Entra ID connector, Syngenta was able to integrate and analyze data efficiently. This was a game-changer compared to traditional methods requiring extensive manual input and maintenance. "The integration process was seamless and provided us with immediate insights," said Dugrillon.

"The integration process was seamless and provided us with immediate insights"

Frank Dugrillon, Strategic Supplier Manager at Syngenta

Results

The collaboration yielded impressive results:

1. Enhanced visibility: Trelica provided Syngenta with a clear overview of their SaaS applications, identifying areas with potential for optimization. "Trelica has been transformative for us," remarked Dugrillon.
2. Resource efficiency: The lean approach allowed Syngenta to focus on high-impact areas without overburdening its limited resources. "We were able to direct our efforts where they mattered most," added Dugrillon.
3. Potential cost savings: Syngenta can reallocate resources by identifying underutilized software and taking an informed, data-driven approach to negotiating SaaS renewals. "The potential for cost savings is substantial," said Altenberger.

"Trelica has been transformative for us"

Frank Dugrillon, Strategic Supplier Manager at Syngenta

Why SAM Teams Need to Wake Up to SaaS

The shift towards SaaS is undeniable, and Software Asset Management (SAM) teams must adapt to this changing landscape. Traditional SAM methods and technology solutions are no longer sufficient. Syngenta's progressive approach highlights the importance of embracing modern SaaS management platforms like Trelica.

"Many organizations are still using outdated methods to manage their software assets, but the rise of SaaS demands a new approach," said Dugrillon. "With SaaS, the challenge is not just in managing licenses but in understanding usage patterns and optimizing spend effectively."

Trelica’s ability to integrate seamlessly with existing systems and provide real-time data insights is crucial for modern SAM teams. "The speed with which Trelica provided insights was unparalleled," noted Altenberger. "SAM teams need to wake up to SaaS and leverage tools that can handle the complexity and dynamic nature of SaaS environments."

The Rippling Water Effect

One of the key insights from Syngenta’s use of Trelica was the identification of the "Rippling Water Effect": real-time data integration solved the visibility problem, empowering Frank’s team to see the material issues, start the right conversations in the business, and ultimately effect change. "Trelica has enabled us to see where our focus should be, helping us avoid the pitfalls of trying to manage everything at once," explained Dugrillon.

"Trelica has enabled us to see where our focus should be"

Frank Dugrillon, Strategic Supplier Manager at Syngenta

Ongoing Journey and Future Plans

While the initial implementation of Trelica has been successful, Syngenta is just beginning its journey with the tool. The next steps involve targeting several specific apps for deeper analysis. "We are now working on some optimization test cases with a few apps, and we believe this will uncover further opportunities for cost savings and efficiency," said Dugrillon.

Conclusion

Syngenta’s adoption of Trelica, supported by Crayon, has revolutionized its approach to SaaS management. The strategic insights and operational efficiencies gained have empowered Syngenta to manage its software assets more effectively, ensuring that it maximizes the value of its investments.

Adapting to the “new normal” of SaaS as the predominant form of enterprise software usage can feel overwhelming for SAM teams. Syngenta’s success demonstrates how a pragmatic mindset and a fit-for-purpose technology solution like Trelica can deliver meaningful results quickly. 

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