Navigating SaaS Management and AI: Key Trends for MSPs from ChannelCon 2025 with John Harden

Dave Sobel interviews John Harden, the director of strategy and technology evangelism at Auvik, discussing the evolution of SaaS management and its growing adoption in the industry. Since Auvik's acquisition of SaaSlio in 2022, the company has invested significantly in engineering efforts to enhance its SaaS management capabilities. Harden highlights the increasing need for visibility into SaaS applications due to rising cybersecurity threats and the growing importance of AI in business environments. He emphasizes that many organizations are now recognizing the necessity of understanding their SaaS assets, particularly in light of the proliferation of AI tools.

The conversation delves into the different ways organizations are consuming AI, with smaller companies typically using AI through SaaS applications, while larger organizations may develop their own models via APIs. Harden explains how Auvik's SaaS management platform provides visibility into both categories, allowing businesses to monitor AI usage and manage potential risks associated with shadow IT. He also discusses the recent release of SaaSOps, which enhances visibility and integrates with popular tools to provide deeper insights into API usage and license management.

As organizations begin to shift back to on-premises servers due to the high costs associated with AI workloads, Auvik has responded by introducing server management capabilities. Harden notes that this new feature allows for comprehensive monitoring of on-premises infrastructure, ensuring that businesses can effectively manage their IT assets regardless of where they are hosted. This adaptability is crucial as companies navigate the complexities of their IT environments, whether they are utilizing cloud services or traditional on-premises solutions.

Looking ahead, Harden expresses optimism about the growth of compliance and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) solutions, which he believes will foster stronger relationships between managed service providers (MSPs) and their clients. He emphasizes the importance of asset visibility in achieving compliance and cybersecurity goals, as well as in developing AI strategies. By continuing to expand its asset visibility portfolio, Auvik aims to support MSPs in meeting the evolving needs of their customers in a rapidly changing technological landscape.