The staffing industry can work more efficiently with digital time sheets via Peppol

In 2023, the Dutch Peppol Authority NPa, together with SETU, created the possibility to send SETU standard messages over the Peppol network. SETU ensures the standardisation of electronic data exchange between temp agencies and hirers in the flexible employment sector. Recently, a learning trajectory was completed where the digital time sheet a.k.a. the e-timecard was successfully sent via Peppol from the Tax Authorities to Randstad Temp Agency.

We spoke with project leader Lieke de Koe (photo) at the CPO-office of BZK (Ministry of the Interior) about this project and the future of digital data exchange in the temp agency sector.

What exactly does the project "Realisation of New Messages" entail?

Lieke: "The central government wants to conduct business from one profile as a purchasing organisation, to be able to steer and adjust more effectively towards its purchasing objectives, and to be able to account more quickly and better for what and how we purchase and what the social impact of this is.

One of the goals to achieve this is 'easy and consistent business conduct.' Business partners of the central government should be minimally burdened by the diversity of work processes among the various government services. At the same time, the government aims for accessibility: it wants to minimise costs for business partners and avoid requiring complex integration processes into the government's purchasing systems. Therefore, as much as possible, we focus on the use of open market standards and an open infrastructure.

This is why we are working on realising 'new' messages via open market standards in the project 'Realisation of New Messages.' We work on this with learning trajectories. This specific learning trajectory, the 'timecards,' was aimed at sending a digital time sheet over the Peppol network from the client to the supplier."

What is your role in this learning trajectory?

"As project leader, I ensure that the right people with the right knowledge are at the table to carry out the learning trajectory. Now that the trajectory has been successfully completed, we are moving on to setting up the Basic Time Card Government or BTR."

Can you tell us more about the collaboration between NPa and SETU?

"The Ministry of the Interior is policy-wise responsible for the execution of tasks and responsibilities that come with the position of Peppol authority. To shape the execution, the Ministry of the Interior has established the Dutch Peppol Authority (NPa).

The NPa aims to expand the Peppol network. The collaboration with SETU is a good example of this. We expect that this will have a positive impact on both the number of end-users and the number of exchanged procurement messages within the temp agency sector."

How many time sheets are we talking about? What is the volume?

"The Tax Authorities and OCW-DUO will go live first. Together, this involves approximately 50,000 time sheets per year that will be exchanged with Randstad."

How large is the potential market for the digital time sheet?

"The potential market is large. Any organisation that deals with flexible workers can use not only the time sheets but also the other SETU messages. This includes providers and consumers of flexible workers, but also software suppliers that provide products aimed at supporting the hiring process."

How did the collaboration with eConnect go in the learning trajectory?

"I am very satisfied with the collaboration with eConnect. Not only the collaboration but also the knowledge and expertise. The architect of eConnect has considerable expertise. Interestingly, he does not hesitate to collaborate with 'corner 3,' a fellow service provider, to make the learning trajectory a success. This shows a proactive and collaborative approach, which is essential for the success of such projects."

What are the benefits of the e-timecard?

"The benefits are in the number of time sheets in the hiring process (which are usually entered weekly per employee) and especially in the fact that one approved time sheet will be worked with, which can be entered into various systems as desired. Both the client and supplier work with the same approved time sheet."

How will you increase adoption?

"Increasing adoption is something we obviously cannot do alone. It is crucial that both the temp agency sector and hirers see the added value of digital data exchange via the Peppol network. By sharing our success, we hope to enthuse both parties."

Do you see the time sheet gaining traction internationally?

"As the Netherlands, we are a frontrunner in this area. From other Peppol authorities, we have already heard that they are closely following our developments and are very interested in adopting this in their country as well."

What are the plans after the temp agency sector?

"For now, we have our hands full with the SETU message set. After the time sheets, we will continue with the next SETU messages. Together with the NPa, we are also exploring how we can connect other industries and sectors, such as the logistics sector and healthcare sector."

For more detailed information about the e-timecard and a full view of this interview, you can consult our knowledge base