External Workforce Management: Insights from the MSP Perspective

As organizations increasingly rely on external talent to stay agile and access specialized skills, managing this workforce effectively has become more complex. Many companies now work with multiple staffing suppliers, contractors, and service providers, creating the need for stronger coordination, transparency, and governance. In this webinar, experts from Hays and Connecting-Expertise share insights into how Managed Service Provider (MSP) models help organizations structure and manage their external workforce more effectively. The session explores how MSP programs work, how supplier ecosystems are managed, and what benefits these models bring for both clients and suppliers. Learn how organizations can gain better visibility, improve efficiency, and create a more strategic approach to managing external talent.

Reading time: 2min

Why External Workforce Management Matters

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External talent has become a fundamental part of modern workforce strategies. Companies increasingly rely on contractors, consultants, and temporary professionals to access specialized expertise, scale teams quickly, and respond to changing business needs.

However, as organizations work with more external partners and suppliers, managing this ecosystem becomes increasingly complex. Without clear structures, companies may face challenges such as limited visibility into workforce spending, inconsistent processes, compliance risks, and difficulties coordinating multiple suppliers.

This is where Managed Service Provider (MSP) models can play an important role.

An MSP helps organizations manage their contingent workforce through standardized processes, supplier coordination, and data-driven oversight. By acting as a central point of management between the client and the supplier network, MSP programs help organizations improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and optimize how external talent is sourced and managed.

At the same time, MSP programs also create a structured environment for suppliers, enabling fair competition, clearer expectations, and stronger collaboration across the workforce ecosystem.

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What You'll Learn

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In this webinar, you will discover:

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• What external workforce management means and why it is becoming increasingly important for modern organizations

• The role of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and how they help structure and manage contingent workforce programs

• How supplier ecosystems function within MSP programs and how suppliers are evaluated

• The benefits of MSP models for both clients and staffing suppliers

• Key factors that contribute to successful collaboration between clients, MSP providers, and suppliers

• Best practices for improving visibility, governance, and efficiency in external workforce management

• How organizations can build a more scalable and transparent approach to managing external talent

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Comparison: Connecting-Expertise vs SAP Fieldglass, Nétive, proUnity
Criteria	Connecting-Expertise	SAP Fieldglass	Nétive	proUnity
EU compliance & local alignment	Strong EU focus, local purchasing and labor alignment	Global standardization first, EU via integrations	Benelux strength, EU aligned	Benelux focus, EU aligned
Neutral platform (no forced ecosystem)	Independent of SAP or HR suite	Part of SAP ecosystem	Independent	Independent
Configurability	High (over 8,000 options), modular flows	High but heavier to tune	Configurable mid-market focus	Configurable marketplace model
Speed to value (mid-market)	Fast deployment, direct support	Slower enterprise cycles	Fast	Fast
Best fit	EU-centric organizations needing speed, flexibility and local precision	Large global enterprises standardizing on SAP	Benelux and EU mid-market	Benelux marketplace-driven sourcing

Want to learn more about how MSP programs support effective external workforce management?

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About the Speakers

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‍Peter De Buck – Co-Founder, Connecting-Expertise

With over 20 years of experience in sales, procurement, and workforce technology, Peter has co-founded multiple companies focused on improving how organizations attract, manage, and govern external workers. He specializes in building digital solutions that reduce costs, improve compliance, and streamline contingent workforce processes.

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Jill Ansloos - Head of Strategic Accounts & Key Account Delivery Team

Jill Ansloos brings extensive experience in workforce solutions and contingent workforce management. At Hays, she focuses on
Managed Service Provider (MSP) programs across the Belgian and Dutch markets, helping organizations outsource and optimize the management of their external workforce and supplier networks.

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