HR technology: Innovations to MSP programmes
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HR technology: Innovations to MSP programmes
The workforce technology ecosystem is becoming increasingly crowded and complicated. Managed Service Programme (MSP) providers can help their customers to navigate these challenges and streamline workforce management.
Today’s solutions providers leverage technology to create the next generation of MSPs. By applying HR technology solutions, MSPs can transform the world of work. Here are six technological advances coming to an MSP near you (if they haven't already):
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for recruitment
Artificial intelligence (AI) is always evolving; and the impact of AI on the world of work evolves alongside. AI enhances recruitment capabilities, completing tasks at a speed and scale that humans simply cannot match. But that's not to mistake AI as a replacement for humans. The true potential of AI in MSP technology lies in augmenting workflows and enabling your team to become more strategic.
Today, AI is shaping HR technology with AI-powered tools designed to create a solution that replicated human decision-making, but at a significantly faster rate.
- Enhance the candidate experience with more personalised communications.
- Speed up hiring, with improved candidate-client matching capabilities.
- Match and process large numbers of submissions to a specific client's needs.
These efficiencies can free up team members to secure the highest-quality candidates more quickly. HR teams can then advance promising candidates through the interview process before other companies hire them.
Remote monitoring and management tools
Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools have seen significant enhancements in recent years. By incorporating AI and mobile optimisation, these MSP technologies offer more sophisticated monitoring and predictive maintenance.
The advancement of RMM technology supports ease of access to contingent workforce management functions, giving you greater overall visibility of your workforce.
Hays has partnered with vendors that offer revolutionary mobile-enabled temporary recruitment management solutions. These MSP technologies advance the entire rostering, time capture and payment cycle. Automating certain steps ensures the process is quicker, easier and more efficient for both the candidate and the recruiter.
Many remote monitoring tools offer geolocation tracking that lets recruiters verify employees' punctuality and location in real time. Workers can use their mobile devices to:
- Accept or reject jobs.
- Clock in for their shift.
- Verify their location through facial recognition.
Job seekers and contractors expect a fast, straightforward application process. Mobile and GPS technologies are driving these changes in the recruitment landscape.
Freelancer Management System (FMSs)
Traditionally, hiring a freelancer involved direct client-to-freelancer interactions, often outside the visibility of an MSP technology stack. An FMS can aid this process and often includes easy-to-use collaboration tools to help get your projects done.
Some freelancer management systems are cloud-based. This cloud-based nature makes implementation much smoother as it integrates with your software using an application programming interface. As such, your IT department will spend less time managing the system compared to other software.
This technology allows companies to manage virtual workforces more effectively, maintaining the flexibility, diversity and remoteness of their talent. With FMS technology, your company can take advantage of the changing workforce trends in a way that supports your bottom line.
Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology
Natural language processing is a computer program’s ability to understand spoken or written speech. Research shows that the language you use in your job postings makes a difference in the talent you attract. For example, using too many “masculine-type” words (e.g. ‘ambitious’, ‘dominate’, or ‘challenging’) can dissuade women from applying.
Software that uses natural language processing can examine your job descriptions to recognise potentially biased language. NLP software can then suggest alternative phrasing to help attract a more diverse candidate pool.
NLP analysis can also identify the best ways to engage with potential candidates. These valuable insights can assess candidates' propensity to move and gauge their interest levels.
Chatbots are another tool that can help to automate recruitment processes. Chatbots can respond to candidates’ FAQs quickly, or use AI to assess candidate resumes without subconscious bias.
Talent pooling using MSP-aligned technologies
Tech can play a significant role in enabling organisations to retain and develop talent for the future. Large companies will collect thousands—even millions—of resumes over the years. However, once an applicant tracking system receives these resumes, most recruiters never look at them again.
Talent pooling is the process of creating and managing a talent database. New MSP technologies use an algorithm to match previous candidates to current requests. For example, identifying accountants who have previously worked for your firm during the busy tax season.
This “candidate rediscovery” process works similarly to automated resume screening. Using machine learning, these HR technologies analyse your job description. The system then searches your existing resume database to find applicants who are the best match for the job.
This automated approach expedites the recruitment process. Talent pooling tools enable you to tap into a candidate source that already knows your processes, brand, and culture. As such, these tools can save the organisation money on candidate acquisition.
Cybersecurity innovation for MSPs
As MSPs manage increasingly complex IT environments, cybersecurity has become more critical than ever. The rise of remote work and ongoing digital transformation efforts have expanded the attack surface. Traditional security measures are no longer sufficient. To address these challenges, MSPs are adopting Zero Trust security models and AI-powered threat detection systems. Zero Trust is a security framework that assumes we should not trust any user or device by default. This rule applies whether the user or device is inside or outside the organisation’s network. Such an approach is particularly useful in a world where remote work is common.
The framework reduces the risks associated with accessing company resources from potentially unsecured networks. AI-powered threat detection tools use algorithms to monitor network activity in real-time. These tools can detect unusual patterns that might indicate a security breach, allowing for immediate action. MSP technologies handle sensitive data, such as SIN/SSN numbers, resumes, and contact details. Therefore, integrating these cybersecurity measures is crucial.
Case study: Hays’ 3Story Software
Hays' vendor management system, 3Story Software, uses a Zero Trust approach. This system implements the approach by isolating customer data in separate databases. Doing so prevents data mingling and limits access to only what is necessary.
Coupled with AI-driven threat detection, our 3Story Software system provides an enhanced layer of security. The system then applies critical protection to your organisation from potential breaches.
The future of MSP technologies and solutions
Technological innovations will transform nearly all aspects of our lives, including MSP solutions. The emerging challenge for MSPs is to integrate these new flexible talent sources into an existing contingent workforce programme. These sources then need to match traditional staffing suppliers in visibility, process control and spend management.
As MSPs continue to reduce the administrative burden of engaging workers, their role will transform. MSPs can help advise about what technology will best help meet your programme goals. They can also support you with the implementation of existing systems to ensure optimised and automated processes.
Dig deeper with more content from Hays
- Creating an agile workforce: A guide to MSP Benefits
- Should you self-manage your contingent workforce or use a partner?
- AI in recruitment: What is the impact?
For more information or to discuss how we can support your MSP needs, please get in touch.