Why ASG Vendor Management Solutions?
ASG Renaissance supports a vendor neutral approach to Vendor Management Solutions (VMS) technology. We encourage clients to separate the technology selection from the supply base selection. In this way both choices are independent of one another and enable the selection process to identify and source "best-in-class" for both sides of this equation. Historically, staffing companies imported their technology to the client site. Early in VMS evolution this meant that the large multi-national staffing companies captured most of this market due to their financial strength and investment in leading edge technology. This combined solution of large staffing provider and their proprietary technology created rifts in the supply chain and had cast doubt on the bias free nature of the reporting metrics.

ASG has invested a substantial amount of time meeting leading VMS providers and evaluating their technology offerings. We interviewed clients who purchased the technology and clients who utilize the ASP (Application Service Provider) model. We examined financial models that surround technology ownership and the shared service pay-as-you-access model. We hosted focus groups to assess both the client and supplier user experience.

We offer this foundation of knowledge and experience to our clients as we work in partnership to help clients make an informed choice tailored to the needs of their company. ASG's advisory services focus on working with the client to determine such things as: what components are suitable for inclusion in a VMS tool solution, what processes need to be captured in the tool and what reporting and monitoring tasks need to be captured. VMS is a feature rich technology and requires the creation of a complex buying matrix to effectively sort and distinguish the "nice to haves" from the "must haves." Many stakeholders need to participate in the acquisition phase and support across multiple operating units is required to ensure successful implementation. VMS applications today are designed to deliver total workforce management across operating units, states and even countries. The solution can track time cards, hours worked, fixed fee projects and milestone billings. Additionally, the tool can be used to facilitate the RFP process.

ASG offers a post technology selection to assist clients with both the implementation and on-going management of the application. ASG is available to the client to perform the task of Master Service Provider (MSP). As the MSP, ASG manages and mentors the relationship between the client and its supply base performing duties to include: monitoring the technology and service delivery to make certain all service level agreements are met, preparing supplier report cards and quality assessments, conducting training and order management activities, preparing rate audits and bill rate recommendations. The scope of this role may be further delineated to manage for such things as Sarbanes Oxley reporting, federal contract reporting requirements, and minority content goals. In engagements where ASG serves as the MSP, the client has the option to aggregate some or all of the spend captured in the tool and report it as minority content under ASG's minority certification. Additionally ASG has, as a result of many client requests, built a pre-qualified network of independently owned minority businesses to satisfy a broad range of technical service requirements which includes: engineering and design services, IT consulting and project services, Six Sigma and ISO training and Consulting services. This network, the "Mosaic Advantage," works together to deliver coast-to-coast services under the umbrella of a vendor management tool.

For some clients VMS reaches beyond the contingent staffing function to include legal and marketing services, engineering and other specialty business lines. Reporting and compliance may need to accommodate time and materials billing, fixed fee or cost plus terms. For clients supporting federal contracts, DCA audit considerations may further impact the scope of the MSP's role.

ASG looks to partner with its clients to form long term relationships. As a strategic supplier and partner we commit to delivering value-added solutions to complement your core competencies and enhance your competitive positioning. Working collaboratively, we strive to support the successful execution of your most aggressive and comprehensive product and service initiatives.