Glossary
SaaS Procurement Glossary
Look up software buying terms that affect pricing, contracts, security approval, renewal planning, implementation, and vendor risk.
Concept groups
Terms grouped by buying decision
Pricing and contract terms
Seat-Based Pricingsoftware charged by user seatsUsage-Based Pricingsoftware charged by consumptionTrue-Upbilling adjustment for added usage or seatsImplementation Feeone-time setup or onboarding costAuto-Renewalcontract term that renews automaticallyRenewal Windowperiod before contract renewalTotal Cost of Ownershipfull cost beyond license price
Security and privacy terms
SOC 2security control report for vendorsSSO Taxextra cost for single sign-on in SaaS plansRole-Based Access Controlpermissions based on user rolesSCIMautomated user provisioning standardData Processing Agreementprivacy and data handling termsData Residencywhere customer data is storedSecurity Questionnairevendor risk questions before purchase
Buying process terms
Master Services Agreementmain agreement for vendor termsService Level Agreementuptime, support, and service commitmentsVendor Lock-Inswitching difficulty after adoptionPilot Programlimited test before a full rolloutProcurement Intakerequest process for new softwareShadow ITsoftware used without formal approval
A to Z
All glossary terms
Auto-Renewalcontract term that renews automaticallyData Processing Agreementprivacy and data handling termsData Residencywhere customer data is storedImplementation Feeone-time setup or onboarding costMaster Services Agreementmain agreement for vendor termsPilot Programlimited test before a full rolloutProcurement Intakerequest process for new softwareRenewal Windowperiod before contract renewalRole-Based Access Controlpermissions based on user rolesSCIMautomated user provisioning standardSeat-Based Pricingsoftware charged by user seatsSecurity Questionnairevendor risk questions before purchaseService Level Agreementuptime, support, and service commitmentsShadow ITsoftware used without formal approvalSOC 2security control report for vendorsSSO Taxextra cost for single sign-on in SaaS plansTotal Cost of Ownershipfull cost beyond license priceTrue-Upbilling adjustment for added usage or seatsUsage-Based Pricingsoftware charged by consumptionVendor Lock-Inswitching difficulty after adoption
Use a term as a decision control
When an unfamiliar term appears in a quote or contract, record the exact definition, affected product and plan, source document, accountable owner, and consequence. Ask the vendor to explain it using the buyer's scenario and point to the setting or clause that supports the answer.
Terms often work together
Seat-based pricing, usage-based pricing, and true-up rules shape the commercial model. SSO, SCIM, and role-based access control shape identity and permissions. An MSA, DPA, SLA, renewal window, and auto-renewal clause shape different parts of the agreement. Total cost and vendor lock-in connect all of them to long-term ownership.