#what is a vms

[simplifyworkforce]

Why VMS Systems Are Vital for Managing the Contingent Workforce and Scaling Direct Sourcing Recruitment

In today’s fast-moving talent market, companies are increasingly relying on contingent workers—freelancers, contractors, consultants, and gig professionals—to meet project-based demands and fill critical skill gaps. Managing this flexible workforce requires more than spreadsheets and email chains. That’s where a Vendor Management System (VMS) comes into play.

A VMS system is a centralized platform that streamlines the way organizations manage their contingent workforce, engage staffing vendors, and ensure compliance. It plays a crucial role in driving efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling smarter hiring decisions—especially when paired with direct sourcing recruitment strategies.

What Is a VMS System?

A VMS system is software designed to manage every step of the external workforce lifecycle, from vendor onboarding and job requisitions to time tracking, invoicing, and performance evaluation. It provides a transparent view of your entire contingent workforce operation—whether you’re working with multiple vendors or directly sourcing your talent.

A good VMS system offers:

Centralized vendor and worker database

Real-time performance analytics

Automated workflows for approvals and invoicing

Integrated compliance and audit tracking

Role-based access for procurement, HR, and hiring managers

This kind of visibility is crucial in industries like IT, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics where contingent labor forms a large part of the workforce.

Managing the VMS Contingent Workforce

The VMS contingent workforce refers to all temporary or non-payroll workers who are managed through a Vendor Management System. By consolidating all vendor and talent data into one dashboard, companies can quickly track labor costs, monitor compliance, and make strategic sourcing decisions.

Benefits include:

Improved visibility: Know who’s working, where, and at what cost.

Compliance assurance: Ensure vendors and workers meet legal and policy requirements.

Cost control: Avoid overbilling and negotiate better vendor terms.

Faster onboarding: Automate paperwork and approval flows.

A VMS system acts as a bridge between procurement, HR, and staffing vendors—making sure everyone is aligned and accountable.

Powering Direct Sourcing Recruitment with a VMS

Direct sourcing recruitment is the practice of leveraging your company’s brand and internal tools to source and engage contingent talent—without third-party staffing agencies. This model reduces cost per hire and gives you more control over candidate quality.

When integrated with a VMS system, direct sourcing becomes even more powerful. You can:

Build and maintain a private talent pool

Automatically match requisitions with pre-vetted candidates

Track direct sourcing performance alongside vendor-sourced hires

Easily switch between sourcing channels based on cost and availability

In essence, your VMS system becomes the control center for both vendor-led and direct sourcing recruitment.

Why This Matters Now

As businesses face uncertain markets and evolving workforce models, agility is key. Companies need scalable solutions to manage hybrid workforces that include full-time employees, freelancers, and everything in between.

Investing in a VMS system enables you to:

Scale contingent hiring without administrative chaos

Increase transparency and reduce compliance risks

Leverage direct sourcing to cut costs and improve hiring speed

Final Thoughts

Managing a modern workforce requires modern tools. A VMS contingent workforce strategy supported by a reliable VMS system and empowered by direct sourcing recruitment can give your organization the edge in today’s competitive hiring landscape.

Whether you're managing thousands of contractors or just starting to explore direct sourcing, the right VMS software can streamline operations, save time, and boost ROI.

[volatilemask]

what ultrakill means to me alt

[arcadecoconut]

There's a lot of great meta about how Bells Hells never seemed to realise how powerful they became over the course of the campaign, and how this skewed perspective gave them a strange and at times hypocritical relationship to authority. There's also been a lot of discussion about how having a single-focus plot established early in the campaign was detrimental to individual character development, but I don't think I've seen much about how the single-focus plot is directly connected to their ignorance about their own power level. I think one of the key benefits of having various smaller arcs across c1 & c2 was not only that it supported individual character development better, it also gave the parties a sense of their own growing capability and power scale in the greater world. By having distinct arcs with enemies who were overcome and defeated, the PCs have concrete evidence of their own growth. Each arc follows a mini heroes journey too. For the MN, the Lorenzo and Obann arcs both involve PC characters being killed or overtaken early on, setting high stakes and establishing difficulty. Eventually, with persistence and planning, the Nein were able overcome and eventually defeat them. For Vox Machina, it's the Briarwoods, then the Chroma Conclave, then Vecna. At the start of each arc, every mission feels like an impossible task but again with persistence and planning, they conclude each arc in a stronger position - not just on their character sheet, but with concrete in-world elements too - the resources of Whitestone, key allies in powerful government positions, etc. These victories give each party a material sense of their achievement, which is mirrored by their internal acknowledgement, which is so natural it's mostly not explicitly acknowledged unless they're pointing out how they're capable of stepping up and helping more people. Bells Hells, by comparison, got very few distinct arcs. As a result, they never really achieved the same smaller victories to give them a sense of escalating power and agency over the course of the campaign. To be clear, it was possible this could have been achieved anyway, even within the constraints of the moon-plot. Defeating Otohan, defeating or flipping Lilliana, severing the alliance between the Unseelie Court and Ludinus, explicitly winning allies out of The Volition, or the Grim Verity, or Vasselheim and the Judicators - each of these could have been distinct arcs with victory conditions that would have served as markers of Bells Hells growing power. If they'd had concrete mini-goals to achieve along the way to dealing with Ludinus/Predathos, they could have taken time to focus and plan. In this way, we could have gotten larger investment into the world and NPCs. Imagine what it could have done for her personality if the party had to research Otohan’s role in the Apex War! Maybe if they needed to broker peace between the Grim Verity and Vasselheim to unite them against a greater threat, we could have seen Bells Hells establish their own authority in Exandria. Instead, all these potential villains and world building hooks ended up largely ignored or accidentally achieved along the path of some other muddy goal. By not giving the characters this sense of growth, BH and particularly Ashton and Laudna ended up with a very skewed perspective of themselves. They never realise their power grew well above average, putting them in a much more privileged position than the average Exandrian. It’s this skewed perspective - and their resulting attitudes towards various NPCs - which gave many viewers an 'ick' factor about their interactions. I also can't help but juxtapose this with exu: divergence, where the party's relationship to power (both their own and others') has been a core element. Their story has also been conducted over a very short time period in-world, yet their responses show a marked difference in awareness and empathy.

[mayapapaya33]

Eventually people have to come to terms with the insane fact that narratively Percy and Jester shared the same role in the party...

Ok now that everyone is screaming at the screen in outrage and confusion, I shall explain myself. It's common knowledge that at least half the party had a crush on/fell in love with Jester right? Well guess what!? At least half the party ALSO had a crush on/ fell in love with Percy! That's right! Percy and Jester are the Party love interests. At some point in time, most of the members at least thought about both of them! (Exceptions being Caduceus and Grog, romance isn't their thing).

For Jester it was Fjord, Caleb, and Beau. Off the top of my head, they were the main three. I don't remember if anyone else had a crush on her, but you can cite sources later lol. Maybe Yasha a little but I don't remember. She charmed everyone, half romantically, half platonically.

For Percy it was Vex, Pike, and Tary as the main three, and apparently Keyleth briefly if I'm remembering the C1 wrap up (rip) correctly. And Scanlan that time under the effects of a potion lol. Also, some dubiously platonic kisses and face touching from Vax thrown into the mix lets be real. I do remember Liam point blank telling us to ship it and who am I to argue with the man? C1 E13 (1:38:36) lmfao. Basically, everyone other than Grog at one point looked at Percy and was like, hmm, maybe I'm in the mood for tall, pale and human.

[puwumats]

the wine's got me fucked up thinking about the keyleth/orym parallels. something horribly tragic happens to people you care for. it was a deliberate, and callous act, and killed innocents for no other reason than to further the one responsible's goals.

and now, due to world-ending circumstances beyond your control, you have to sit at a table with your friends and that very same evil and talk to them like they are your equal. some of your friends even want to side with them, however temporarily, for some higher goal. but you can't stop thinking about all those that you lost, because of this person. and the anger bubbles and boils away right underneath the surface of your usually-sweet demeanor, until you explode or die.

"you called a hit on my family. a successful one - fuck you" and "call me child one more goddamn time" are the same frustrated and bitter cry, just in a different key.

[cake-emu]

"Carla, I swore I'd protect [Betsy], and now she's in hospital because of me." "Does she know how it happened?" "[No]. She'll hate me."

Coronation Street | Lisa Swain + Carla Connor (28th March 2025)

[awsok]

thinking about "and everyday that raven comes to visit"...

at the time it felt like such a heartwarming note to end on, this idea that a piece of vax would always be with keyleth — but I adore the way this episode in particular has recontextualised it. what once felt sweet now feels selfish, what seemed kind now seems (unintentionally!) cruel.

of course keyleth is still hurt. of course she's totally unable to move on. how do you mourn someone who isn't truly dead? how do you mourn someone who sends daily reminders that they aren't even truly gone?

[achillesisnotcomingdown]

So I recently finished reading the Iliad and I thought of something

Surely we love to talk about how gay Diomedes is, but have we considered that Ody might embodies everything he desires (either to be or to have) ?

Odysseus is a family man. His wife has stayed faithful after 10 years without news of Ody, and he loves her just as much as he loves his son. Diomedes, however, only married Aegialia to secure his access to the throne. He grew up without father (although he is constantly compared to him), and (by the time of the Trojan war) he had no children.

Odysseus is Athena's favorite, and has probably been for a longer time than Dio. In the Iliad, Athena acts harsher toward Dio (ex. Ep V when he calls for fall back and she immediately calls him unworthy of his father)(ive only read like 3 ep of the Odyssey so maybe later shes just as harsh with him idk)

Odysseus is older, and more respected. See Nestor kicking Diomedes awake and gentle calling Odysseus from outside of his tent. Diomedes may be a king and one of the best warriors (I consider him second to Achilles), the other kings treat him like shit.

Diomedes definitely is admirative of Odysseus (just sees how he talks about him during ep X) , maybe even envious (i have no ex but itd make sense).

And from a shipping pov, I think it has a lot of potential. Admiration turning to attraction.

[pyrotechnicdarts]

thinking about how protective ayden is of trist, especially with milo. thinking about “are you a cleric of the everlight, ayden?” “im just looking after my family” thinking about pelor doing so much to look after sarenrae after all her followers were killed. thinking about how centuries in the future, the champion of the everlight will bear the armor of the dawnfather

[narnia-dreamer]

Me, going to Critical role tag to see Predathos arts and theories (and also parallelisms to the Collector):

Also me, finding only hatred and people complaining:

[simplifyworkforce]

Maximizing Workforce Efficiency with a VMS Platform and Contract Staffing 

In today’s business landscape, organizations are increasingly relying on flexible workforce models to meet changing demands and optimize productivity. The contingent workforce, including temporary, contract, and freelance workers, has become an essential component of modern staffing strategies. However, managing this workforce efficiently requires robust solutions that help businesses streamline processes, ensure compliance, and maintain control over staffing costs. A VMS platform, vendor compliance solutions, and contract staffing are key components that can help companies optimize their workforce management and achieve long-term success. 

What is a VMS Platform? 

A VMS platform, or Vendor Management System platform, is a software solution that helps organizations manage and optimize their relationships with third-party vendors, including staffing agencies and other external service providers. The platform automates and centralizes the processes associated with sourcing, managing, and tracking the performance of contingent workers. It provides businesses with greater visibility into their external workforce, helping them make data-driven decisions and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. 

The Benefits of Contract Staffing for Flexible Workforce Solutions 

Contract staffing, also known as temporary staffing, refers to hiring workers on a short-term or project-based basis. This approach offers companies the flexibility to meet fluctuating labor needs without the long-term commitments associated with permanent employees. Contract staffing is especially beneficial for businesses that require specialized skills for specific projects, have seasonal or cyclical demand, or want to minimize labor costs. 

How VMS Platform, Vendor Compliance Solutions, and Contract Staffing Work Together 

When combined, a VMS platform, vendor compliance solutions, and contract staffing provide businesses with a comprehensive approach to managing their external workforce. The VMS platform acts as a centralized system for managing vendors and contingent workers, while vendor compliance solutions ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met. Contract staffing allows organizations to access skilled workers on a temporary or project basis, offering flexibility and cost savings. 

How VMS Platform, Vendor Compliance Solutions, and Contract Staffing Work Together 

When combined, a VMS platform, vendor compliance solutions, and contract staffing provide businesses with a comprehensive approach to managing their external workforce. The VMS platform acts as a centralized system for managing vendors and contingent workers, while vendor compliance solutions ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met. Contract staffing allows organizations to access skilled workers on a temporary or project basis, offering flexibility and cost savings. 

Conclusion 

In an increasingly dynamic and competitive business environment, managing a contingent workforce effectively is crucial for success. A VMS platform, vendor compliance solutions, and contract staffing are essential components of a robust workforce management strategy. By utilizing these tools, organizations can optimize their staffing processes, maintain compliance, and access the specialized talent they need to thrive. With the right solutions in place, businesses can build a more efficient, flexible, and cost-effective workforce that is well-equipped to meet the challenges of the modern market. 

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[moonagedaydreamsofrhiannon]

the greatest tragedy of veronica mars is the fact that lilly kane never got the chance to go to a historically women’s college and experiment with lesbianism (it would’ve saved her)

[volatilemask]

hapy one year (and two days)

[beedreamscape]

This has to be the last thing I say on C3 finale because otherwise, I will not stop, it simply baffles me in its mediocrity. And obviously, this will be negative, if you loved it, good for you, this is my takeaway as someone who loved this campaign and was severely let down.

This finale changes everything that came before and not for good, better yet, it emphasizes all the faults in the structure of what c3 tried to be, it made most of the campaign feel like a true exercise in futility — How far can we go in a campaign that is meandering and unsatisfying? How long can we have the same discussion over and over and over again despite everyone knowing how this will end? How long can we drag out characters that don't change without anyone noticing? (spoiler everyone noticed)

Can't say I was emotionally invested in the finale because I tapped out back in the 70s, came back for Aeor/Downfall shenanigans, and left again. But in experiencing the finale something became clear to me:

THIS STORY NEEDED TO BE SHORTER.

WITH ANOTHER PARTY AT THE HELM.

If the objective from the very conception of C3 was to wipe out the gods, that had to be clear from the very start. And it wasn't clear, at all — not in the characters, not in the starting city, not in theme. This was a completely different campaign at the start! That clarity was what made Calamity so great, it was short and precise, and every pc SERVICED THE THEME, filled with hubris and contempt, not to mention the setting.

Even Ludinus went in circles for convenience of the campaign length and became a weaker opponent for it, more of a nuisance than a villain. The threat he posed at episode 50 was much stronger than now at 120 something. The battle against Otohan was more nail-biting and emotionally engaging than fighting Ludinus and Predathos, a god eater!!!!

This campaign would've benefited from three to four acts instead of one overarching objective like the past campaigns because urgency is the name of the game and we can't carry urgency for 70 episodes straight (and they didn't).

The constant inclusion of the other parties made it clear how easy it was to detach BH from the story, how easy and fun it was for them to tell it through another party's eyes (one of the main reasons why I walked away back when I did, but that's more of a personal preference).

Which is not to say Bells Hell's didn't deserve a long story! They could very well have existed in a more intimate campaign which these characters were clearly built for! Their premises begged for closer looks in slow moments, something tragicomical, exploration of the inner world while developing MARQUET and its microcosm of injustice and politics which was left in the dust mid-campaign (pun intended).

And I'm not suggesting this just for our enjoyment, I know it's them playing and their enjoyment comes first blah blah, though this is a multi-million company therefore their jobs but this would contribute to their enjoyment! You could see several moments in the campaign how tapped out they felt and acted. I doubt it was "fun" discussing the gods situation ad naseaum, trudging through landscapes they barely cared about, with empty arcs.

I could nitpick every fault I see in the finale but it would be pointless, these issues have been dragged from ages ago and poor character matching, and now this is a culmination of everything and it barely fazes me anymore.

(And yeah it's their game and it's "free", but that doesn't undermine its weight as a story, stories were made be analyzed, and it was a poorly structured one no matter how much I still like and admire them as people.)

WHICH is not to say I had no fun at all ever, I did! several times! and that's what makes me upset, it could've been great instead is just meh.

[gorgynei]

vex and vax will always be famous and the liam and laura meta textual weave gets more complicated and amazing every day. if this makes no sense sorry u just have to get it

[astralleywright]

i really do believe the CR cast loves Bells Hells, and recent decisions come from the fact that they love all their parties and see this as the end of an era for them and are also very, very busy. but man it does not fucking feel like it sometimes lmao