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New Provade president cites VMS trends

October 23, 2014

What are the trends in VMS? They include demands for more mobile operability, business intelligence and reporting, and integration with enterprise-wide systems, according to Hans Bukow in a visit to Staffing Industry Analysts. Bukow recently took over the reigns as president of VMS provider Provade from Edward “EJ” Jackson, who founded Provade in 2004. Bukow also sees VMS evolving into a “G4” next generation.

Provade announced Bukow’s new role as president on Oct. 3. Jackson will remain an advisor and independent board member. “It was a shock to the system because EJ was so Provade,” Bukow said.

Bukow takes on the role as the number of independent workers continues to rise. When asked about trends in VMS, a few cited by Bukow included:

  • The VMS install base seems poised for turnover, according to Bukow. Companies have worked with VMS for years and may be looking for a technology that better meets their needs. They also have a clearer understanding of what they are looking for.
  • There’s also a greater need among staffing buyers to access data in the VMS. “They want the information because there are business decisions outside the MSP,” Bukow said. Data from the VMS can be used elsewhere in the business such as looking back at the cost of developing a product.
  • There is a growing demand for mobile VMS solutions that work across all mobile devices.
  • Integration with key enterprise-wide systems to give customers a more complete picture. Staffing buyers want information to speak across systems; they also need the more complete picture they can get with good integration.

For Provade, Bukow sees global growth, continued performance and steady growth. Provade had its 10-year anniversary in October.

Bukow has 25 years of industry experience. One of his previous firms was eWork, which included the first healthcare VMS among other services. A version of eWork continues in Europe.

Jackson said Provade had been in discussion about bringing Bukow in before he made the call to pursue another opportunity. “He’s very, very capable and competent, an industry-savvy person,” Jackson said.

Jackson is moving on to become global VP of product strategy and delivery for SMB solutions at software giant SAP. The division is aimed on omnichannel commerce, serving the entire front office needs for midmarket companies with a focus on companies that produce a good. However, Jackson won’t be going to Fieldglass VMS, which was acquired by SAP earlier this year.

“I’ve been in the VMS space for 15 years and 10 years at Provade,” he said. “For my personal growth, I thought I would try a completely new space.”