Probely's Strategic Integration to Streamline Subscription Management

Portugal-based Probely is an automated application security testing company offering a comprehensive cloud-based SaaS platform tailored to Security and DevOps teams that prioritize a DevSecOps approach. Its mission is to bridge the gap between development, security, and operations, instilling security as a core aspect of the web application development lifecycle.

Equipped with the capability to detect over 30,000 vulnerabilities—including critical threats like SQLi, XSS, Log4j, and OS Command Injection—Probely delivers pertinent vulnerability reports with an impressively low false-positive rate of 0.1%. More than identifying security risks, Probely provides detailed remediation guidance, enabling clients to proactively address issues within their web applications and RESTful APIs. By integrating Probely into development processes and CI/CD pipelines, teams can automate security testing and seamlessly embed it into their project lifecycles.

Problem - Subscription management should not distract from core product development 

The complex nature of subscription management took a lot of work for Probely, including concerns like invoice automation, accurate VAT charges per customer, and overall subscription handling. In its quest for an effective solution, Probely discovered that building an in-house subscription and billing management system would divert its focus from core product development, which is necessary for its competitive edge in a market awash with similar offerings. The decision was made to find a capable external solution for managing subscriptions and revenue growth. Enter Chargebee.

Solution - Subscription billing and revenue growth at scale 

Probely selected Chargebee as its strategic partner to manage the intricate facets of subscription management. Chargebee, known for its robust, flexible, and comprehensive subscription management platform, offered Probely the perfect blend of functionality and ease of use. The decision was grounded in Chargebee's proven track record of enabling businesses to automate billing processes, manage taxes efficiently, and enhance customer experiences with streamlined subscription services.

The integration of Chargebee into Probely's operational framework marked a significant milestone. Chargebee’s API-first approach facilitated a seamless integration process, ensuring minimal disruption to Probely's existing systems. This collaboration allowed Probely to automate its invoicing process, accurately calculate VAT for customers in various jurisdictions, and manage subscriptions with greater efficiency and scalability. Most importantly, it liberated Probely’s developers to concentrate on innovating and improving their core product offerings, ensuring they remained at the cutting edge of application security testing.

By leveraging Chargebee's analytics and reporting tools, Probely gained deep insights into subscription metrics and customer behavior. This data-driven approach empowered them to make informed decisions, optimize pricing strategies, and enhance customer relationships. Chargebee's flexibility also meant that Probely could easily adjust its subscription models to meet evolving market demands and customer needs, further solidifying its position as a market leader in automated application security testing.

The integration with Chargebee solved Probely’s subscription management challenges and provided a scalable foundation for future growth and innovation.

Seamless tech stack integration for greater efficiency 

To make its operations more efficient, Probely integrated Chargebee with several critical components of its tech stack, including HubSpot, Intercom, and Slack, with recent initiatives to incorporate NetSuite. These integrations have fortified Probely’s operational efficiency, providing up-to-date customer and subscription information across business functions, informing customer support efforts, and facilitating administrative coherence.

Chargebee is an essential gear in the machine that drives engagement with customers, encompassing the creation of users in Intercom for cohesive customer communication and support, updating client information within HubSpot for accurate CRM operations, and providing crucial financial data for the impending integration with NetSuite, which will serve as Probely's comprehensive ERP solution.

Pricing strategy shift provides unprecedented flexibility

Last year, Probely underwent a revamp of its pricing strategy. This bold move enriched the free plan to provide core product value while imposing frequency limitations rather than restricting feature access. The dual-option upgrade path, entailing a traditional subscription or a credit-based, pay-as-you-go model, introduced unprecedented flexibility and autonomy for clients.

An analysis of usage patterns and market expectations necessitated this strategic adjustment. It acknowledged the diverse needs of corporations managing a mix of actively developed, legacy, and temporary applications and APIs. It provided tailored solutions that married the allure of unlimited scanning with the practicality of occasional credit-based assessments.

The future - simplified

Probely is poised to introduce complementary products that augment its existing offering, reinforcing its commitment to end-to-end security solutions. The current pricing landscape, equipped with multifaceted flexibility, combines subscription models with a pay-per-use framework and demonstrates ample elasticity to accommodate various customer demands. Probely envisions any prospective pricing model adaptations to veer towards simplification, retaining the essence of their client-centric approach.

Conclusion

This case study sheds light on the strategic adaptation of Probely's business operations through Chargebee’s extensive subscription management features. It underscores the importance of a meticulous approach to operational integration and the need for businesses to continuously evolve their pricing strategies in response to market dynamics and customer insights. Probely's experience emphasizes the value of a scalable and flexible service structure in maintaining industry leadership and driving future growth.

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