Centralized Control of the External Workforce Through a Scalable MSP Model
Key Facts
- Transparency via external workforce: +40
- Process coverage in the VMS: >80 %
- Compliance and risk reduction: significant
- Relief of specialist departments & purchasing: high
- Supplier performance: measurably improved
- Operation: by EMS since go-live
- VMS: SAP Fieldglass
- Regions: national launch, internationally scalable
- Fields of application: Temporary employment Freelancer
Executive Summary of the Global MSP Operating Model with SAP Fieldglass
An internationally active group was faced with the challenge of managing its external personnel deployment transparently, compliantly and efficiently. Different processes, supplier models and system landscapes led to high administrative costs and limited controllability.
By introducing a central MSP model, EMS assumed overall operational responsibility as a single point of contact. In combination with SAP Fieldglass as the leading vendor management system, processes were standardized, risks were reduced and a reliable basis for decision-making was created for management and purchasing.
The result is a scalable, internationally applicable workforce governance model with measurable added value.
Initial Situation in the Group Before the Introduction of a Central MSP Model
External personnel deployment was managed centrally via a master vendor and an internal business unit. This meant that different processes, supplier models and system landscapes existed in the individual regions.
This structure led to limited transparency, increased compliance risk and high administrative costs. Group-wide, uniform management of the external workforce was only possible to a limited extent.
Challenge:
Uniform Management in an International Group Environment
Our client was facing several structural challenges:
Lack of Group-wide transparency regarding external workforce and costs
Different regional processes and legal frameworks
Increased compliance and risk potential
No central management partner for external personnel deployment
The aim was to reduce this complexity without ignoring regional peculiarities.
Objective:
Transparency, Governance and International Scalability
Our client’s goals were to,
- create national transparency about external workforce and costs
- ensure uniform governance and compliance
- Standardize end-to-end processes
- Relieve the operational burden on specialist departments and purchasing
- Establish a scalable basis for international rollouts
The MSP Solution From EMS in the International Corporate Environment
EMS developed a global MSP target picture together with the customer. The core of the solution was the introduction of a central MSP operating model with SAP Fieldglass as the leading vendor management system.
EMS took over the operational management of the external workforce as well as responsibility for governance, processes and reporting.
- Implementation
The Implementation Was Carried out Iteratively:
The implementation was carried out in several parallel work packages:
Introduction of a centralized MSP operating model
Integration of SAP Fieldglass as the leading VMS
Standardization of approval, commissioning and billing processes
Definition of group-wide KPI and reporting structures
Regional characteristics were deliberately integrated without diluting global governance.
System Landscape and Integration
The solution is based on an integrated system landscape:
- SAP Fieldglass as a vendor management system
- Connection to ERP and finance systems
- Integration into existing HR and procurement processes
This enabled end-to-end control of the external workforce.
Role of EMS as a Central Managed Service Provider
EMS acted as a single point of contact and assumed overall operational responsibility:
Operational management of the external workforce
Supplier management and performance management
Compliance and risk management
Administration and further development of SAP Fieldglass
KPI, management and decision reporting
- Results
Result: Transparency, Efficiency and Reduced Risks
The introduction of the central MSP model has resulted in measurable improvements:
Increased transparency via external workforce
Standardized, auditable processes
Reduced compliance and risk potential
Significant relief for specialist departments and purchasing
Improved supplier performance
SAP Fieldglass Functions Used in MSP Operation
- Requirement notifications and approval workflows
- Supplier selection and commissioning
- Time recording and performance records
- Auditing and accounting
- KPI, audit and risk reporting
Why the Customer Chose EMS as MSP
Our customer opted for EMS due to
Deep MSP and corporate expertise
comprehensive SAP Fieldglass expertise
Consulting, implementation and operation from a single source
Proven international scalability
The aim was to reduce this complexity without ignoring regional peculiarities.
Outlook:
Further Development of Global MSP Governance
The collaboration will be further expanded on the basis of the established MSP model:
- Expansion to other countries
- Integration of additional workforce segments
- Expansion of analytics and forecasting
- Further development of global MSP governance
Similar Challenge?
Alexander Schrüfer
HR Solutions
Our HR solutions support companies in managing external personnel by means of managed services.
SAP Fieldglass
Our expertise in VMS integration creates efficient processes for external workforce management.