Is It Time to Hire a Managed Service Provider? Key Indicators That Say ‘Yes’

Managing a contingent workforce can be a complex and time-consuming task. While contingent workers offer flexibility and specialized skills, overseeing their hiring, access, compliance, and provisioning can quickly become overwhelming. If your organization struggles to maintain control over these aspects, consider partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP). But how do you know when you're ready to make the move? Here are five key questions you need to ask yourself to assess your readiness.

1. How Much Are You Spending on Contingent Workers?

One of the first signs that you may need an MSP is a lack of visibility into contingent workforce spending. If you don’t have a clear understanding of how much you're paying for your non-FTE workforce (talent workers, independent contractors, etc.) across all departments, you may be overspending or missing cost-saving opportunities. An MSP provides a well-rounded solution to this, including tracking what you are spending and consulting with you on areas where you can control costs and save money, such as helping to negotiate better rates and ensuring that your workforce budget is optimized.

2. What Systems and Site Access Do Your Contingent Workers Have?

Security risks are a major concern when dealing with contingent workers. Your organization may be at risk if you can’t quickly and confidently determine which workers have access to critical systems, confidential data, or physical locations. An MSP partner will help mitigate risk by enforcing access protocols, ensuring that workers only have the permissions they need and that access is revoked when contracts end.

3. Where Are Your Contingent Workers Located?

Do you know where all of your contingent workers are operating from? If not, you may expose your company to compliance risks related to labor laws, taxation, and worker classification. Different regions have varying regulations governing contingent workers; failing to adhere to these laws can lead to legal and financial consequences. An MSP can centralize workforce tracking, ensuring all contractors comply with local and international regulations.

4. What Are Your Contingent Workers Working On?

Understanding what your contingent workers are doing is as important as knowing where they are. Are they working on sensitive projects? Are their roles clearly defined? Without proper oversight, organizations can suffer from inefficiencies, duplication of work, or even data security risks. An MSP streamlines project tracking, ensuring contractors are engaged in the right tasks, aligned with business goals, and delivering measurable results.

5. Are Your Contingent Workers Provisioned Properly?

Proper provisioning is crucial for productivity. If your contingent workers experience delays in getting the right equipment, software access, or credentials, their efficiency—and your project timelines—suffer. An MSP ensures that all necessary resources are provided on time and managed throughout the life of the engagement, reducing downtime and boosting efficiency.

Assessing Your Readiness for an MSP

If you find yourself unable to answer any of these questions confidently, your organization stands to immediately benefit from partnering with an experienced provider to integrate an MSP solution that also includes industry-leading Vendor Management System (VMS) technology. Doing so will bring structure, compliance, cost control, and efficiency to your contingent workforce program, freeing your internal teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative burdens.

By answering these key questions and assessing your workforce management practices now, you can determine whether partnering with an MSP is the right move for your company—and take proactive steps toward optimizing your contingent workforce strategy.

How OneBeacon Can Help

OneBeacon’s MSP solution is designed to address all these challenges, providing a comprehensive approach to managing your contingent workforce. Our teams have decades of industry experience consulting with organizations to assess readiness and provide a consultative approach to addressing challenges for their non-FTE workforces.  

As the premier partner for first-generation MSP programs, let OneBeacon help you streamline operations, mitigate risk, and maximize workforce potential with our MSP + VMS solution. Contact us today at http://www.onebeaconconsulting.com/ or by email at [email protected] to learn more about how we can support your business needs!