SaaS Contracts - The Supplier’s Perspective

Introduction

In the past many companies often used to buy software or licence IT for many years with 5- or 10-year IT deals being fairly common.

However, this kind of deal led to problems because companies were often then locked into long term contracts which restricted them in how they could develop their businesses.

For suppliers, negotiating contracts with customers on a 1-2-1 basis when the software being provided was essentially the same was becoming time consuming and costly.

For suppliers, providing the software to customers on a Software as a Service (‘SaaS’) basis was and is an attractive option because it allows suppliers to provide essentially the same software to many customers and on-board customers quicker and therefore this helps to generate revenues quicker.

However, these types of SaaS contracts can come with hidden costs and liabilities for suppliers which this virtual classroom seminar will explore.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• What is a SaaS contract and why do suppliers choose SaaS contracts?
• What are the problems with SaaS contracts - will ‘one size fit all’ every time? What are the dangers and risks of using the same SaaS contract for all deals?
• How to balance your SaaS contract so that it is stringent enough to cater for the key points but not so stringent that it puts off customers?
• Key clauses for a supplier to add in a SaaS contract
• Key clauses which a supplier might want to gloss over or omit in a SaaS contract
• Ensuring that limitations of liability for the supplier work properly and are set at levels which are appropriate and are drafted to withstand legal scrutiny
• Practical responses and workarounds that a supplier can provide to a customer’s representatives or legal department regarding objections to clauses in the SaaS contract
• Practical ways to improve a supplier’s bargaining position in a SaaS contract both at the start and throughout the contract and at renewals

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.