Technology Advisor Archives - The Future of Work Exchange

Announcing the “2024 VMS Technology Advisor” Report

Contingent Workforce Solution Providers Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 03/21/2024

Vendor Management System (VMS) platforms are considered the cornerstone of the workforce solutions market, delivering sophisticated and automated functionality that holistically oversee critical facets of contingent and extended workforce management. Integrated seamlessly with Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in many cases, the VMS model has firmly established itself as a mature and pivotal platform in the ever-advancing realm of workforce management technology.

While early VMS iterations primarily served as automated procurement tools for staffing suppliers, these platforms have metamorphosed into the central “nexus” dictating all aspects of contingent and extended workforce management. Contemporary VMS solutions not only harmonize effortlessly with the principles of the Future of Work movement but also showcase remarkable advancements in navigating the intricacies of the modern workforce. In today’s dynamic, globalized technology market, Vendor Management Systems play a decisive role in charting the course of the “extended workforce.” This term encapsulates the next evolutionary phase, and modern VMS platforms have made substantial leaps in aligning with this progressive paradigm.

Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange are excited to announce the publication of the 2024 edition of its VMS Technology Advisor report, the market-leading guide designed to help procurement, HR, human capital, and talent acquisition executives navigate the complex and mature VMS solutions marketplace. The new report analyzes and assesses the primary VMS solution providers in the marketplace today and offers a variety of strengths, considerations, and market fits for each VMS platform evaluated as part of the rigorous research study.

For procurement, HR, and talent acquisition executives, and especially leaders tasked with managing extended and contingent workforce programs, this is the go-to guidebook for VMS solution selection. Access the report here.

Redefining Talent Acquisition: The Age of Digital Staffing Solutions

Uncategorized by Christopher J. Dwyer on 08/28/2023

The term “digital staffing” has become a ubiquitous catch-all phrase in the realm of talent and work, encompassing technology that enables the discovery, engagement, and sourcing of workers. According to Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange (“FOWX”), digital staffing technology comprises solutions that empower enterprises to hire freelance, independent, and contingent talent independently of Vendor Management Systems (VMS) or other workforce platforms (as well as traditional staffing suppliers). These solutions also manage various end-to-end processes integral to extended workforce management, including project oversight, worker tracking, classification, compliance, and risk mitigation.

The 2023 Digital Staffing Technology Advisor report serves as an evaluation of the global market for talent marketplaces, expert networks, digital staffing outlets, and encompasses direct sourcing platforms within its broader definition. In the current landscape, digital staffing technology represents far more than simple online talent portals for talent acquisition. Today’s digital staffing platforms resemble workforce management automation tools that not only facilitate candidate engagement but also streamline talent community development, talent pool creation, candidate experience management, and other innovative facets of extended workforce management.

Ardent and FOWX’s research underscores the significant evolution of digital staffing technology. The utilization of digital staffing solutions has surged by almost 800% over the past five years. This statistic serves as a testament to the profound impact these platforms wield within the Future of Work movement and the broader spheres of work and talent.

As we delve into the multifaceted landscape of digital staffing, it’s crucial to recognize the transformative role these technologies play. Beyond the surface-level notion of connecting talent with opportunities, digital staffing platforms now function as intricate orchestrators of the entire talent lifecycle. Their influence extends far beyond mere talent acquisition—they catalyze a paradigm shift in how enterprises interact with and manage their extended workforce.

Consider the dynamic functionalities that define today’s digital staffing platforms. They not only facilitate seamless candidate engagement but also cultivate thriving talent communities and dynamic talent pools. This speaks to a shift from transactional relationships to engagement models founded on genuine interaction and value exchange. Furthermore, the concept of candidate experience management takes center stage, reflecting the growing realization that each touchpoint with potential and existing talent shapes organizational perceptions and success.

What’s evident from the surging adoption of digital staffing solutions is their potential to reshape the way we work. These platforms empower businesses to navigate the intricate landscape of the extended workforce with agility, efficiency, and innovation. Their impact reverberates across industries, allowing enterprises to adapt and thrive in the rapidly evolving world of work.

As we navigate the evolving landscape of digital staffing, it’s imperative for organizations to grasp the holistic potential these technologies offer. Beyond their instrumental role in talent acquisition, they serve as catalysts for holistic workforce strategies. The interplay of talent acquisition, talent engagement, and talent management within these platforms creates a unified ecosystem that’s uniquely poised to drive success in the Future of Work.

To learn more, download the new Digital Staffing Technology Advisor report.

Announcing the 2023 Digital Staffing Technology Advisor Report

Contingent Workforce Direct Sourcing Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 08/16/2023

Omni-channel talent acquisition has become a centerpiece of the Future of Work movement. Revolving around the concept that enterprises are now enabled with a variety of talent sources that can be converged to drive real-time skills alignment, on-demand hiring, and enhanced visibility into deeper attributes of candidates, the idea of omni-channel acquisition reflects the veritable evolution of talent engagement.

While traditional staffing suppliers are still a critical piece of the extended workforce and everyday hiring, the “omni-channel experience” represents a new era in which enterprises can expand their talent searches through the advent of innovation, direct sourcing automation, new candidate channels, and next-generation and AI-fueled technology.

With this in mind, Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange have developed the new Digital Staffing Technology Advisor report, which was designed to help HR, procurement, human capital, and talent acquisition executives navigate the digital staffing technology market. This report analyzes and assesses the primary solution providers in the marketplace today within the direct sourcing, talent marketplace, workforce management, and freelancer management technology industries.

The new Digital Staffing Technology Advisor analyzed and assessed 13 distinct providers of digital staffing, expert network, direct sourcing, talent marketplace, and freelancer management solutions, and is the ideal guide for those enterprises seeking to make an investment in these platforms in the months ahead.

Click here to download the new study, which is complimentary for qualified procurement, HR, talent acquisition, and talent management practitioners.

The VMS of 2022: The Nexus of Extended Workforce Management

Solution Providers Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 08/25/2022

Vendor Management System (VMS) platforms are automated solutions that offer end-to-end management of the core and critical facets of contingent and extended workforce management. The VMS model (frequently paired with Managed Service Providers or “MSPs”) is perhaps the most mature platform in the workforce solutions market.

While the earliest incarnations of VMS technology functioned as automated procurement for staffing suppliers, these platforms have evolved to become the true “nexus” of all activity related to contingent and extended workforce management. In fact, the very foundational elements of today’s VMS solutions revolve around the many tenets of the Future of Work movement; the Vendor Management Systems available in today’s fast-moving, globalized technology market have all made great leaps in regard to managing the “extended workforce,” a phrase leveraged to describe the next progression of contingent labor.

The past couple of years has reinvigorated the world of non-employee talent in such a way that the collective business market finds itself with nearly half of its total talent (nearly 47%) comprised of contingent labor. The pandemic age has not only reaffirmed the need for businesses to harness the power of VMS technology, but to also take advantage of the many ways these platforms are reinforcing the many accelerants within the Future of Work movement.

Recently, the Future of Work Exchange announced the publication of the much-anticipated VMS Technology Advisor, a report that assesses and evaluates 11 of the major Vendor Management System platforms that are currently helping organizations around the globe automate key extended workforce management processes, provide access to talent intelligence, and reinforce contingent workforce spend management.

The new report, which is available here, evaluates Beeline, Coupa Contingent Workforce, ELEVATE, Eqip, Pixid, Prosperix, PRO Unlimited, SAP Fieldglass, Utmost, VectorVMS, and VNDLY (a Workday Company).

Defining the VMS Technology Market: New Future of Work Exchange Research Study Now Available

Contingent Workforce Solution Providers Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 08/04/2022

Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange have long been preeminent sources of analysis of the extended workforce industry and its associated technologies and solutions. With the introduction of our Technology Advisor (and Solution Advisor) series several years ago, the analyst team has been able to assist thousands of business leaders with the necessary information, insights, and intelligence as they traverse the complex solutions landscape within procurement and spend management, procure-to-pay, contingent and extended workforce management, direct sourcing, and digital staffing.

Today, we announce the publication of the much-anticipated VMS Technology Advisor, a report that assesses and evaluates 11 of the major Vendor Management System platforms that are currently helping organizations around the globe automate key extended workforce management processes, provide access to talent intelligence, and reinforce contingent workforce spend management.

The 2022 VMS Technology Advisor deep-dives into each provider’s strengths within requisition management, services procurement, SOW management, analytics and intelligence, direct sourcing, Future of Work readiness, total talent acquisition, total workforce management, global capabilities, and other key attributes inherent in today’s leading VMS platforms.

Ardent Partners and the Future of Work Exchange Launch Definitive MSP Report

Business Leadership Contingent Workforce Solution Providers Technology and Innovation by Christopher J. Dwyer on 03/01/2022

New Study Evaluates the Leading Managed Service Providers (MSPs) for the Workforce Solutions Market

BOSTON, MA, March 1, 2021 – Ardent Partners, a leading research and advisory firm, along with the Future of Work Exchange, a top destination for executives focused on the evolution of work and talent, announced today that its new 2022 MSP Solution Advisor report, which evaluates the Managed Service Provider (MSP) marketplace, is now available. MSPs, as the most mature offering in the greater workforce management solutions market, are continue to drive innovation in the rapidly shifting labor market and Future of Work landscape and tailor their services to suit the needs of a dynamic, agile, and extended workforce.

“The world of talent and work has changed tremendously over the past two years, forcing enterprises to reimagine their core talent engagement, talent acquisition, and extended workforce management strategies,” said Christopher J. Dwyer, senior vice president of research, managing director of the Future of Work Exchange, and author of the new MSP Solution Advisor report. “This report will help readers identify the MSP provider that best-fits the needs of their agile workforce and educate them on the different approaches that each provider takes towards key workforce management areas, including direct sourcing, SOW management, services procurement, DE&I, and reporting and analytics.”

The 2022 MSP Solution Advisor is the leading assessment report for MSPs that guides HR, procurement, human capital management, and talent acquisition leaders through a deep solutions landscape by discussing the key functionality, capabilities, competencies, offerings, and performance of the main providers in the MSP industry. The new report highlights dozens of feature-specific offerings and market differentiators from which Ardent and the Future of Work Exchange evaluated the industry’s top MSP solutions.

The Ardent analyst team identified and selected eleven key providers – Atrium, Evaluent, GRI, Guidant Global, KellyOCG, nextSource, Pontoon Solutions, PRO Unlimited, Randstad Sourceright, RightSourcing, and Talent Solutions TAPFIN – in the MSP solutions market for inclusion in this research study.

“Since 2010, Ardent Partners has been a guiding voice for professionals managing their extended workforce management programs and the solutions that they use to drive them,” said Ardent’s Chief Research Officer, Andrew Bartolini. “The new MSP Solution Advisor report is a reflection of this expertise and delivers a clear and insightful report that is a must-read for leaders seeking to optimize their extended workforce.”

Click here to download the new MSP Solution Advisor study (or click on the image below), which will be followed by the VMS Technology Advisor in the spring.