85% faster
Automation reduces contract creation time by 85%, via a library of contract templates and seamless integration with the MSP toolset.
SoftwareOne partner story
How ZenContract fast-tracks MSP contract automation worldwide
How a New Zealand MSP founder built a contract management platform used by hundreds of MSPs worldwide - and listed it on Azure Marketplace with SoftwareOne
The ZenContract journey began in 2018 when Greg Sharp set about building a contract management system for his Managed Services Provider (MSP) business in New Zealand.
“Problems were beginning to pile up,” he says. “We were missing contract renewals and struggling to locate our agreements, often finding them on someone’s desk with incomplete details or partial signatures. This lack of proper documentation meant we were not operating with the necessary control over our contracts.”
In 2021, after years of gradually refining his contract management solution, Sharp sold his business and launched ZenContract. Today, the software is used by hundreds of MSPs worldwide, helping them overcome the same contract-related challenges that first inspired its creation.
“A recent milestone is that we are now available in Microsoft Azure Marketplace,” adds Sharp. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support and guidance from SoftwareOne [formerly Crayon], which helped us navigate this journey.”
95% fewer errors
Zen all but eliminates human errors in contracts - bringing them down by 95%.
90% less admin, 75% less leakage
With Zen, contract management time is reduced by 90%, while revenue leakage through miscommunication and missed renewal dates is down 75%.
- Client
- ZenContract
- Industry
- Information technology, Professional services
- Platform
- Azure Cloud
- Country
- New Zealand
The benefits of ZenContract
The Zen platform allows MSPs to quickly generate contracts, distribute them, and ensure they are widely seen. The software streamlines the entire contracting process: it automatically notifies all relevant individuals in your business based on the contract template, significantly accelerating client onboarding, deployment, and budgeting timelines. “It also eliminates miscommunication and reduces risks throughout the process,” adds Sharp. “There are no more Chinese whispers.”
Automation reduces contract creation time by 85%. Zen achieves this by offering a library of contract templates, and seamless integration with the MSP toolset. “Deep integration with your Professional Service Agreements (PSAs) allows you to pull real data – including customer details, products, pricing and bundles – into your contracts.”
At many MSPs, the contract process is still entirely manual, built on Word templates,
PDFs, and involving endless editing. Each new client, renewal, or variation requires the MSP to pull out sections manually, re-save documents, and send them off one by one. It is time-consuming, repetitive, and prone to error.
A recent milestone is that we are now available in Microsoft Azure Marketplace,” adds Sharp. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support and guidance from SoftwareOne [formerly Crayon], which helped us navigate this journey.
Renewals and compliance
MSPs that miss contract renewals risk revenue loss and compliance issues. The Renewals Manager in Zen has live dashboards that provide a 360⁰ view of contract status and upcoming renewal dates, via integration with the PSAs.
The platform also monitors for compliance. Where existing agreements are not in a compliant contract, ZenContract’s Compliance Engine guides you through a four-step compliance program of notification, documentation, review and execution.
“With our system, you also benefit from the expertise of compliance specialists who operate internationally and have in-depth knowledge of legal nuances and limitations across various jurisdictions,” Sharp says. “Whether it concerns liability, operational risk, or other specific considerations, our team understands the differences between regions, such as the unique legal requirements in Alabama compared with those in the UK. This expertise ensures your contracts are tailored accurately for your operational needs, wherever you do business.”
The automation of operational and compliance processes within Zen saves time and money. With Zen, contract management time is reduced by 90%, while revenue leakage through miscommunication and missed renewal dates is down 75%.
SoftwareOne provided the necessary expertise to help us develop our products and effectively bundle our services, making it possible to list them in the Azure Marketplace. Undertaking this process independently would have been a lengthy and complex task, likely taking up to a year to complete and presenting significant challenges.
Founder, ZenContract
Ready to list your software on Azure Marketplace?
Talk to SoftwareOne about the product development, services bundling and partner ecosystem support that helped ZenContract list on Azure Marketplace and reach more MSP customers worldwide.
Ready to list your software on Azure Marketplace?
Talk to SoftwareOne about the product development, services bundling and partner ecosystem support that helped ZenContract list on Azure Marketplace and reach more MSP customers worldwide.
The support of SoftwareOne
Zen typically attracts MSPs as they progress along their maturity journey and seek to enhance their tool sets. However, it also appeals to smaller businesses that prioritize getting their contracts in order from the outset.
“We do a lot of marketing,” says Sharp. “This largely revolves around participating in MSP-focused shows such as those organised by ConnectWise, AutoTask, and Datto, which are held throughout the UK, Australia, and the United States.”
The Azure Marketplace is a springboard to further expansion, and here, SoftwareOne played a pivotal role.
“SoftwareOne provided the necessary expertise to help us develop our products and effectively bundle our services, making it possible to list them in the Azure Marketplace. Undertaking this process independently would have been a lengthy and complex task, likely taking up to a year to complete and presenting significant challenges.
“Of course a listing in the Azure Marketplace is only the beginning,” Sharp concludes. “But it does mean the infrastructure is in place to further accelerate sales, with SoftwareOne by our side to unlock these opportunities for growth.”
Of course a listing in the Azure Marketplace is only the beginning. But it does mean the infrastructure is in place to further accelerate sales, with SoftwareOne by our side to unlock these opportunities for growth.
Founder, ZenContract
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