What Makes or Breaks an MSP? Choosing the Right Partner

Managing a large contractor or contingent workforce can quickly become complex. Costs creep up, compliance risks increase, and suppliers multiply until it’s hard to see who’s on site or what it’s costing. Many organisations now turn to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) – also called a Managed Service Programme – to bring structure, technology and accountability to contingent workforce management.

An MSP recruitment model only delivers real value when it’s designed and run by the right partner. The right workforce managed service provider drives visibility, compliance and speed. The wrong one adds admin, slows hiring and exposes businesses to risk.

We’ve implemented both Master Vendor MSP and Vendor-Neutral MSP programmes across multiple sectors, so we know first-hand what works, what fails and how to get the benefits an MSP is supposed to deliver.

Before you choose an MSP partner, it’s worth asking:

• What is an MSP in recruitment and how does it differ from RPO?
• Which MSP hiring model – Master Vendor MSP or Vendor-Neutral MSP – best fits our supply chain?
• How will an MSP workforce solution improve compliance, cost control and supplier consolidation?
• What sets one MSP partner apart from another in managing a contractor workforce?

In this blog, we share how we structure and deliver our MSP solutions, the value they create, and what can happen when that partnership isn’t working as it should.

Understanding Orion’s MSP Model

Orion delivers Managed Service Provider (MSP) solutions through two core approaches – Master Vendor MSP and Vendor-Neutral MSP. Each model is built to give organisations full control and visibility over their contingent workforce and supply chain.

Master Vendor MSP

In the Master Vendor approach, Orion acts as the single point of contact and responsibility for managing the entire contingent workforce supply chain. We manage all talent supply, including direct sourcing, supply chain partners, and niche or specialist suppliers where required.

This model creates a streamlined process with:

• one consistent set of standards across all suppliers
• faster time-to-hire and clearer ownership
• built-in compliance and performance management

Questions to consider before adopting a Master Vendor model:

• Will one MSP partner be able to cover all my contractor workforce needs globally?
• How will a Master Vendor MSP improve compliance and candidate experience?

Want to explore this further? Get in touch with our MSP team and we’ll walk you through how a Master Vendor model could work for your organisation.

Vendor-Neutral MSP

In the Vendor-Neutral model, Orion acts as an impartial programme manager, ensuring that a pre-approved list of suppliers is engaged fairly and competitively. We do not favour any one supplier and operate the programme to drive best value, quality, and compliance through open competition.

This approach is particularly effective for organisations that require a broader, more diversified supply chain, often across multiple regions or specialist markets. It ensures healthy competition, drives innovation, and gives clients greater flexibility to tap into niche talent pools.

Both models can be configured and scaled depending on client needs, with technology, data, and service levels tailored to suit each business.

Questions to ask when evaluating a Vendor-Neutral model:

• Which suppliers should be in my vendor-neutral panel to achieve best value?
• How does a Vendor-Neutral MSP support innovation and diversity in my supply chain?

Our team can map your current supplier base and show you how a Vendor-Neutral MSP would perform. Contact us today to start the conversation.

The Value of Visibility, Control and VMS Technology

A strong Managed Service Provider (MSP) programme is about more than managing suppliers. It is about giving organisations full visibility and control over their contingent workforce and the entire recruitment supply chain. That is where technology makes the difference.

All of our MSP workforce solutions are supported by advanced Vendor Management System (VMS) MSP technology as part of our wider workforce management solutions. By embedding a VMS into every programme, we help clients move from manual, fragmented processes to a single, data-driven view of their contractor workforce.

Our VMS platform gives clients:

• real-time visibility of contingent workers across departments, regions and projects
• automated compliance checks, audit trails and right-to-work management
• transparent rate management and benchmarking to control costs
• performance tracking across suppliers, hiring managers and workforce segments
• data-driven insights to support contractor workforce management, planning and optimisation

This level of visibility turns an MSP recruitment model into a proactive tool for cost control, compliance and talent quality rather than just a supplier management exercise.

Questions to ask about technology in an MSP partnership:

• What level of real-time workforce data will the MSP’s VMS provide?
• How will the system support automated compliance and supplier consolidation?
• Will the VMS help benchmark rates and improve contractor workforce management?

Want to see how our VMS-driven MSP solution works? Contact our MSP team for a demo of the technology and reporting dashboards.

What Goes Wrong Without the Right MSP Partner?

Unfortunately, not all MSPs deliver these outcomes. In fact, we are often brought in to replace underperforming MSPs where businesses have experienced significant problems. Here are some of the most common issues that arise when the wrong partner is in place:

Mismanaged Supply Chain

Without strong governance the supply chain becomes unmanageable. Too many suppliers, inconsistent standards and poor communication lead to:

• fragmented service delivery
• variable candidate quality
• increased costs and lost time

A well-run contingent workforce MSP actively manages and rationalises the supply chain so every supplier is aligned, accountable and delivering consistent value.

Compliance Failures

Workforce compliance is non-negotiable. From right-to-work checks to health and safety regulations, IR35, and data privacy, there is a complex web of legal obligations that must be met.

A weak MSP may lack the rigour, processes, or oversight to ensure full compliance, exposing the client to legal and financial risk. Compliance should be a built-in, automated part of the MSP, not an afterthought.

Sluggish Hiring

Speed is critical in the current talent market. A disjointed or poorly managed MSP slows hiring through unclear ownership, manual steps and bottlenecks between suppliers.

 The result is:

• missed talent
• frustrated hiring managers
• lost competitive advantage

A strong MSP recruitment model streamlines every stage of the process with clear accountability and technology-enabled workflows to accelerate time to hire.

Candidate Disengagement

Contractors and candidates expect a professional, transparent experience. An inconsistent or impersonal MSP process causes disengagement, damages the employer brand and hurts future hiring success.

A good MSP staffing solution protects and enhances the candidate experience so it aligns with the client’s values at every touchpoint.

Key questions to ask before choosing an MSP partner:

• How will the MSP manage supplier consolidation and performance?
• What automated compliance processes are built into the programme?
• How will the MSP improve speed and candidate experience?
  
  

What Makes a Great MSP Partnership?

Given these potential pitfalls, what does a successful MSP partnership look like? 

Aligned Objectives

First and foremost, the MSP must be aligned with the client’s strategic objectives. Whether the focus is on cost control, speed, compliance, diversity, or innovation, the MSP should act as a true partner in achieving those goals, not just as a transactional service provider. 

Transparent Communication

Open, transparent communication is essential. The client must have full visibility of performance metrics, challenges, and opportunities. The MSP should proactively share insights and recommendations, fostering a collaborative, trust-based relationship. 

Continuous Improvement

A great MSP never stands still. Workforce markets evolve rapidly, and so should the MSP solution. The best partners continuously innovate, bringing new ideas, technology, and best practices to keep the client ahead of the curve. 

Flexible and Scalable Delivery

 Every business is different, and workforce needs change over time. The MSP must be flexible and scalable, capable of adapting to new geographies, regulations, business models, and market demands without losing effectiveness. 

Strong Governance and Compliance

Finally, a great MSP delivers robust governance and compliance. Processes must be watertight, technology must support automated compliance, and the MSP must take full accountability for managing risk on behalf of the client.

How Orion Delivers Strategic Workforce Control

Our Managed Service Provider (MSP) solutions are built on the principles described above. We treat every client relationship as a long-term partnership with a shared commitment to achieving strategic workforce goals across sectors such as oil and gas, life sciences, engineering contractors and the wider energy sector workforce.

Our approach brings together:

• Deep expertise in managing contingent workforce MSP programmes across multiple industries and regions, including complex supply chains in oil and gas, life sciences and engineering.
  
  
• Advanced Vendor Management System (VMS) MSP technology that gives real-time visibility, automated compliance and data-driven insights.
  
  
• Flexible MSP hiring models – Master Vendor MSP and Vendor-Neutral MSP – that adapt to each client’s priorities and scale.
  
  
• Rigorous governance and compliance frameworks to protect against legal and financial risk across jurisdictions.
  
  
• Continuous innovation and improvement to keep clients ahead of market trends and changing workforce demands.
  
  

We see ourselves as more than a supplier. Our MSP team acts as an extension of each client’s business, bringing market intelligence, operational excellence and strategic insight to every engagement.

Interested in how Orion’s MSP workforce solutions could give you greater control of contractor workforce management in your sector? Talk to our team today to start the conversation.

Avoiding MSP Pitfalls: How Orion Makes the Difference

Choosing the right MSP partner is one of the most impactful decisions a business can make in managing its workforce. The risks of choosing poorly are high, from compliance failures to lost talent and spiralling costs.

But with the right partner, the rewards are even greater. An effective MSP brings clarity, control, and strategic advantage, turning workforce management into a driver of business success.

At Orion, we have helped businesses of all sizes and sectors transform their contingent workforce strategies. Our combination of experience, technology, and partnership approach consistently delivers results that go beyond transactional supply chain management.

Ready to take control of your contingent workforce?

If you want to master your workforce strategy and avoid the pitfalls of a poorly managed MSP, we would welcome the opportunity to show you how Orion makes the difference.

Talk to our team today to see how our flexible, technology-driven MSP recruitment solutions can transform your hiring, compliance and supplier management.

Let’s build a workforce strategy that works for you.

Contact Us TODAY