Why companies require SAML SSO for their SaaS

To better understand why SaaS key accounts want SAML SSO, it's essential to look at the specific needs and expectations of companies in terms of access management and security.

SSO SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is an authentication solution increasingly sought after by companies using SaaS services. Here's why your customers consider this technology a priority.

Simplify user access by reducing the number of logins

Your customers have many applications, you're not the only SaaS solution, and you may even supply several applications yourself. For them, simple access to their SaaS applications is essential. SSO via SAML allows users to authenticate only once, eliminating the need to remember multiple passwords or to identify themselves several times for each service.

In environments where users juggle a multitude of tools, reducing authentication friction improves operational efficiency. It also increases end-user satisfaction, as they can access services seamlessly, without being constantly interrupted.

Imagine a customer using your SaaS in addition to several other solutions (CRM, ERP, project management tools). With SAML SSO, the user can log in once and access all these applications, including yours, without having to repeat the login process.

Enhanced access security

Security is often a decisive criterion for customers looking for a SaaS solution. With SAML SSO, your customers centralize authentication via one Identity Provider (or IdP, such as Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Google or Ping Identity), reducing the risk of multiple exposures.

The SAML protocol ensures better protection of user data by using encryption and digital signatures, and reducing password transmission. By centralizing authentication, the risk of compromise is greatly reduced.

Although all personal data should be considered sensitive today, a company handling critical data, such as financial information or health data, is particularly exposed to the risk of hacking. SAML SSO limits potential attacks by securing access through a reliable IdP, enabling your customers to protect their users while complying with current regulations.

Centralized identity management

For companies, centralized management of identities and access is a considerable advantage. SAML enables all users, their roles and permissions to be managed from a single platform, simplifying IT asset management.

Centralized identity management reduces complexity and human error. IT administrators can manage user authorizations and provisioning directly via its Identity and Access Manager (IAM, the so-called IdP), enabling immediate and consistent updating of access to different applications, including your SaaS.

In a large enterprise, user management can be a real headache. With SAML, administrators can add or revoke access to your SaaS and other applications at the same time, avoiding oversights or delays in updating permissions.

Seamless integration in hybrid environments

More and more companies operate in hybrid environments, where local applications coexist with SaaS solutions in the cloud. SAML SSO enables these systems to be linked seamlessly, delivering a unified user experience.

Your customers want their users to move from on-premise solutions to cloud applications, such as your SaaS, without having to manage different authentication systems. This reduces infrastructure complexity and improves productivity.

A customer using a legacy ERP system in-house and your SaaS as a complement can, thanks to SAML, offer single sign-on to its users, without having to manually manage separate authentication processes.

Reducing management costs

Reducing operational costs is another important driver. By enabling IT teams to centralize access management via an IdP, SAML reduces the administrative burden, particularly when it comes to password management and account resets.

Fewer support tickets for forgotten passwords or revoked access means direct savings for your SaaS customers. They can concentrate on more strategic tasks, rather than the day-to-day management of user access.

In a company with high staff turnover, requests to reset passwords are frequent and costly. SAML SSO reduces these requests by eliminating the need for multiple identifiers, ultimately reducing the workload for your customer's IT team.

Managing the employee entry/exit cycle

SAML SSO simplifies the management of your customer's employee lifecycle, from arrival to departure, while reinforcing access security.

Simplified integration of new employees

When a new employee joins your customer, a unique account is created within the Identity Provider (IdP). This instantly grants the employee access to SAML-connected applications, improving productivity and reducing access management errors. Centralized administration eliminates the need to manually manage access to each application.

A new employee is automatically granted access to project management tools, HR systems and internal communication platforms, after being added to the IdP.

Quick deactivation on departure

When an employee leaves the company, deactivating his or her account in the IdP immediately revokes access to all applications. This ensures that the former employee retains no access to critical systems, minimizing security risks.

If a bank employee leaves the company, deactivating his or her user account in the SSO access management solution immediately blocks access to the bank's customer account management systems and other internal tools.

Benefits of adding SAML SSO to your SaaS

SAML SSO isn't just a convenience for your customers, it's a real lever for productivity, security and cost reduction. By integrating this technology, you meet the pressing need to simplify access management, while offering a secure solution tailored to the requirements of modern environments, whether on-premise or in the cloud. Companies that choose your SaaS for its functionality, coupled with the ability to use SAML SSO, maximize their technology investments by offering their employees a seamless and secure experience.