The landscape of workforce and project spend management is undergoing significant transformations. An increasing reliance on contingent workers and the escalating complexity of project spends have revealed that traditional systems are often not fully equipped to handle these changes. We have built AltiosForce as a response to these evolving needs, designed to bridge gaps left by previous solutions. This article aims to explore this evolution, examining various competitive alternatives, their strengths and shortcomings in managing SOW spend, and how AltiosForce addresses these challenges.

The Shift in Workforce Dynamics

The workforce today is vastly different from what it was a decade ago. Businesses are increasingly depending on contingent workers – freelancers, contractors, and consultants – leading to a more complex workforce structure. This shift demands more agile and comprehensive management systems.

Traditional Tools and Their Limitations

As we delve into traditional tools, it’s essential to acknowledge their strengths while also recognizing their limitations in the context of SOW spend management.

Excel Workbooks: The Familiar Choice

• Strengths: Excel’s widespread use is attributed to its familiarity and flexibility. It allows users to create custom solutions for various data needs.
• Limitations: Excel struggles with complex SOW and services spend data, leading to fragmented insights. Its scalability and security features are inadequate for large-scale, sensitive data management.

DIY BI Projects: PowerBI, BOBJ, and Tableau

• Strengths: Known for robust customization and advanced analytics capabilities, these tools offer extensive data analysis.
• Limitations: They often require significant implementation time and expertise. Understanding the problem space and designing an effective solution is a complex and costly endeavor.

Traditional Procurement Systems: SAP Ariba, Coupa, Jaggaer, iValua

• Strengths: These established platforms are renowned for their comprehensive procurement functionalities.
• Limitations: They often lack integration with project and workforce data, leading to a fragmented view of operations and spend.

CWM/VMS Solutions: SAP Fieldglass, DCR Workforce, Beeline, Magnit

• Strengths: Effective for managing contingent and variable workforces, offering robust functionalities for vendor management.
• Limitations: These systems may lack integration with project management data and do not provide detailed visibility into employees assigned to specific projects.

Project Management Tools: Monday.com, MS Project, Asana

• Strengths: Excellent for organizing tasks, tracking project progress, and enhancing team collaboration.
• Limitations: They do not integrate project management with detailed insights into SOW and workforce costs, leading to a lack of comprehensive spend management.

Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

• Strengths: Operational support and efficiency in managing vendor relationships and contingent staffing.
• Limitations: MSPs often obscure data, lacking direct visibility into SOW spend and facing challenges in integrating data with other business systems.

AltiosForce: A Response to Evolving Needs

AltiosForce was developed as a solution to the limitations of these traditional tools. Let’s explore how it addresses specific challenges:

• Comprehensive Data Integration: Unlike traditional tools, AltiosForce integrates data across multiple systems, providing a unified view of SOW and services spend.
• Enhanced Visibility and Analytics: It offers in-depth insights into both contingent and permanent workforce expenses.
• User-Friendly and Tailored Solution: Designed specifically for SOW spend management, AltiosForce presents a more adaptable and comprehensive platform.
• Direct SOW Spend Management: Offering direct and comprehensive management, it enhances data accuracy and strategic insights.

Conclusion: A Vision for Clearer SOW Spend Visibility

The development and launch of AltiosForce stem from a recognition of the changing dynamics in workforce and project management. Our goal has been to provide a solution that not only addresses the shortcomings of traditional tools but also aligns with the contemporary needs of businesses. We hope that this exploration offers a clearer understanding of why AltiosForce was created – to assist those grappling with the complexities of SOW spend visibility in their organizations.

In an ever-evolving business landscape, staying ahead means adapting not just in practice but also in the tools we use to manage and understand our operations. AltiosForce is a step towards this adaptability, offering clarity, integration, and a comprehensive view in the complex world of SOW spend management.