Fortescue - SAP Best Tech Awards 2025 Spend Management
Fortescue drives SAP Fieldglass success through embedded expertise and user enablement Download the DocumentSAP Australia and New Zealand
Best Tech Awards 2025
Best Tech Awards 2025
Best Tech SAP
Industry WebsiteProduct and Services Featured SAP Solutions
https://www.fortescue.comMining, Iron Ore Production,
Technology
SAP Fieldglass
Founded in Western Australia in 2003, Fortescue is a global leader in metals, and green technology, committed to accelerating the commercial
decarbonisation of industry. As one of the world’s largest iron ore producers – shipping 198.4 million tonnes in FY25 and surpassing two billion tonnes since
2008 – Fortescue combines scale with sustainability. The company is pioneering efforts to eliminate fossil fuels, with an ambitious target to achieve Real Zero
Scope 1 and 2 emissions across its Australian operations.
Fortescue’s impact extends far beyond production. Its commitment to long-term social and economic value is evident through programs that drive education,
employment, and enterprise within its communities. This same commitment to future-focused thinking underpins Fortescue’s approach to innovation and
digital transformation.
To continue to improve workforce management, Fortescue deployed SAP Fieldglass to modernise the way it engages labour hire for both site-based and
office-based roles. While the initial technical implementation was a success, user adoption initially lagged. In response, Fortescue undertook a
comprehensive change initiative-focusing on capability-building, targeted learning, and tailored engagement strategies. These efforts not only increased
adoption but also embedded a culture of continuous improvement, positioning Fortescue as a global standard in workforce optimisation.
Fortescue drives SAP Fieldglass success through
embedded expertise and user enablement
Spend Management
Mining
Industry WebsiteProduct and Services Featured SAP Solutions
https://www.fortescue.comMining, Iron Ore Production,
Technology
SAP Fieldglass
Founded in Western Australia in 2003, Fortescue is a global leader in metals, and green technology, committed to accelerating the commercial
decarbonisation of industry. As one of the world’s largest iron ore producers – shipping 198.4 million tonnes in FY25 and surpassing two billion tonnes since
2008 – Fortescue combines scale with sustainability. The company is pioneering efforts to eliminate fossil fuels, with an ambitious target to achieve Real Zero
Scope 1 and 2 emissions across its Australian operations.
Fortescue’s impact extends far beyond production. Its commitment to long-term social and economic value is evident through programs that drive education,
employment, and enterprise within its communities. This same commitment to future-focused thinking underpins Fortescue’s approach to innovation and
digital transformation.
To continue to improve workforce management, Fortescue deployed SAP Fieldglass to modernise the way it engages labour hire for both site-based and
office-based roles. While the initial technical implementation was a success, user adoption initially lagged. In response, Fortescue undertook a
comprehensive change initiative-focusing on capability-building, targeted learning, and tailored engagement strategies. These efforts not only increased
adoption but also embedded a culture of continuous improvement, positioning Fortescue as a global standard in workforce optimisation.
Fortescue drives SAP Fieldglass success through
embedded expertise and user enablement
Spend Management
Mining
Challenges
Before implementing SAP Fieldglass in 2018, Fortescue’s Labour Hire process was fragmented and highly manual, replying on ad hoc Purchase Orders.
This approach introduced significant inefficiencies, process inconsistencies, and a lack of real-time visibility across the Labour Hire workforce.
The introduction of SAP Fieldglass marked a major step forward – establishing a consistent, structured process for managing Labour Hire workforce
requirements. The rollout was underpinned by clearly defined workflows, improved documentation, and the creation of specialist support roles to
embed the solution across the business. Fieldglass was also integrated into Fortescue’s broader SAP ecosystem, unlocking efficiencies and enabling true
end-to-end workforce procurement and management.
Transitioning to Fieldglass required significant cultural and behavioural shifts, and the path to widespread adoption was met with considerable
challenges:
• Change resistance: Many users were reluctant to move away from familiar, legacy practices. There was uncertainty around how Fieldglass would align
with their day-to-day activities, especially for those operating in remote or high-pressure environments where speed and familiarity were prioritised
over compliance.
• System complexity and confidence: Early users found the interface unintuitive and difficult to navigate without guidance. Without immediate team
support, users reverted to manual workarounds, eroding trust in the system’s value.
• Decentralised ownership: With no single business owner or function accountable for Fieldglass, responsibilities around governance, consistency,
and optimisation were fragmented – resulting in inconsistent use and unclear escalation paths.
• Environmental complexity: Fortescue operates in highly dynamic environments with multiple stakeholder groups – from site supervisors and
contractors to commercial teams and Labour Hire providers. Aligning these diverse groups under a single, standardised digital process required not
only robust technical design, but also a carefully tailored change management approach.
Before implementing SAP Fieldglass in 2018, Fortescue’s Labour Hire process was fragmented and highly manual, replying on ad hoc Purchase Orders.
This approach introduced significant inefficiencies, process inconsistencies, and a lack of real-time visibility across the Labour Hire workforce.
The introduction of SAP Fieldglass marked a major step forward – establishing a consistent, structured process for managing Labour Hire workforce
requirements. The rollout was underpinned by clearly defined workflows, improved documentation, and the creation of specialist support roles to
embed the solution across the business. Fieldglass was also integrated into Fortescue’s broader SAP ecosystem, unlocking efficiencies and enabling true
end-to-end workforce procurement and management.
Transitioning to Fieldglass required significant cultural and behavioural shifts, and the path to widespread adoption was met with considerable
challenges:
• Change resistance: Many users were reluctant to move away from familiar, legacy practices. There was uncertainty around how Fieldglass would align
with their day-to-day activities, especially for those operating in remote or high-pressure environments where speed and familiarity were prioritised
over compliance.
• System complexity and confidence: Early users found the interface unintuitive and difficult to navigate without guidance. Without immediate team
support, users reverted to manual workarounds, eroding trust in the system’s value.
• Decentralised ownership: With no single business owner or function accountable for Fieldglass, responsibilities around governance, consistency,
and optimisation were fragmented – resulting in inconsistent use and unclear escalation paths.
• Environmental complexity: Fortescue operates in highly dynamic environments with multiple stakeholder groups – from site supervisors and
contractors to commercial teams and Labour Hire providers. Aligning these diverse groups under a single, standardised digital process required not
only robust technical design, but also a carefully tailored change management approach.
Solution
To boost user adoption, Fortescue established a robust internal support model – investing in a purpose-built team with the right mix of business knowledge and technical expertise to
drive integration, optimisation, and frontline enablement.
Importantly, this function was not part of Fortescue’s central technology division. Instead, the Labour Hire Management Team operates as a standalone technical function embedded
within the business, with full accountability for SAP Fieldglass. This positioning allows the team to remain deeply connected to the operational realities of Labour Hire while also aligning
strategically with Fortescue’s broader technology and digitisation roadmap.
By bridging business operations and enterprise technology, the Labour Hire Management Team has become a critical enabler of digital transformation in workforce management,
ensuring SAP Fieldglass evolves in lockstep with the company’s growth, complexity, and innovation ambitions.
Key elements of this model include:
• Labour Hire Lead: Operating at the helm of the function, the Labour Hire Lead plays a strategic leadership role – focused on long-term business alignment, operational excellence,
and workforce innovation. This role is responsible for shaping and driving the overarching Labour Hire strategy, ensuring Fieldglass evolves to meet the future needs of Fortescue’s
business. The Lead partners closely with senior stakeholders across operations, technology, procurement, and HR to support decision-making and future-proof the Labour Hire
workforce model through continuous improvement, policy development, and innovation.
• Systems Specialist: A dedicated product expert supporting end users, vendors, and internal stakeholders with hands-on system knowledge and both a strategic and operational
lens. This role plays a pivotal part in system design and configuration, continuous improvements, and issue resolution.
• Systems Data Analyst: Focused on maintaining data integrity and delivering reporting and insights, this role ensures workforce decisions are underpinned by accurate, timely data.
• Systems Technical Consultant: Responsible for back-end integration between Fieldglass, S/4HANA and Fiori, this role drives automation, improves system performance, and
ensures the platform can scale with business needs – while remaining aligned with Fortescue’s SAP landscape.
• Labour Hire Analyst (5 FTE): This frontline team provides daily user support and guidance across the labour hire lifecycle – from creating requisitions and managing onboarding to
tracking assignments and offboarding. The team ensures best-practice application, helps uphold governance standards, and works directly with leaders and vendors to drive
operation efficiency
Together, this structure forms a Centre of Excellence for Labour Hire workforce management – enabling SAP Fieldglass to function not just as a transactional platform, but as a strategic
solution embedded into Fortescue’s long-term planning. The team’s proximity to business operations ensures their solutions are practical and impactful, while their alignment with the
wider technology roadmap ensures Fieldglass continues to support Fortescue’s evolving needs as it scales and diversifies.
To boost user adoption, Fortescue established a robust internal support model – investing in a purpose-built team with the right mix of business knowledge and technical expertise to
drive integration, optimisation, and frontline enablement.
Importantly, this function was not part of Fortescue’s central technology division. Instead, the Labour Hire Management Team operates as a standalone technical function embedded
within the business, with full accountability for SAP Fieldglass. This positioning allows the team to remain deeply connected to the operational realities of Labour Hire while also aligning
strategically with Fortescue’s broader technology and digitisation roadmap.
By bridging business operations and enterprise technology, the Labour Hire Management Team has become a critical enabler of digital transformation in workforce management,
ensuring SAP Fieldglass evolves in lockstep with the company’s growth, complexity, and innovation ambitions.
Key elements of this model include:
• Labour Hire Lead: Operating at the helm of the function, the Labour Hire Lead plays a strategic leadership role – focused on long-term business alignment, operational excellence,
and workforce innovation. This role is responsible for shaping and driving the overarching Labour Hire strategy, ensuring Fieldglass evolves to meet the future needs of Fortescue’s
business. The Lead partners closely with senior stakeholders across operations, technology, procurement, and HR to support decision-making and future-proof the Labour Hire
workforce model through continuous improvement, policy development, and innovation.
• Systems Specialist: A dedicated product expert supporting end users, vendors, and internal stakeholders with hands-on system knowledge and both a strategic and operational
lens. This role plays a pivotal part in system design and configuration, continuous improvements, and issue resolution.
• Systems Data Analyst: Focused on maintaining data integrity and delivering reporting and insights, this role ensures workforce decisions are underpinned by accurate, timely data.
• Systems Technical Consultant: Responsible for back-end integration between Fieldglass, S/4HANA and Fiori, this role drives automation, improves system performance, and
ensures the platform can scale with business needs – while remaining aligned with Fortescue’s SAP landscape.
• Labour Hire Analyst (5 FTE): This frontline team provides daily user support and guidance across the labour hire lifecycle – from creating requisitions and managing onboarding to
tracking assignments and offboarding. The team ensures best-practice application, helps uphold governance standards, and works directly with leaders and vendors to drive
operation efficiency
Together, this structure forms a Centre of Excellence for Labour Hire workforce management – enabling SAP Fieldglass to function not just as a transactional platform, but as a strategic
solution embedded into Fortescue’s long-term planning. The team’s proximity to business operations ensures their solutions are practical and impactful, while their alignment with the
wider technology roadmap ensures Fieldglass continues to support Fortescue’s evolving needs as it scales and diversifies.
Impact
100% increase
in data accuracy of
Fieldglass-related reporting
91.88% reduction
in Fieldglass-related user
support tickets
197% increase
in system usage over 3 years
Fortescue’s targeted and sustained efforts have successfully transformed SAP Fieldglass from a technically implemented system with low uptake
into a fully embedded, business-critical platform.
The following achievements demonstrate measurable success across adoption, compliance, efficiency, and strategic enablement:
Significant growth in user adoption
Over a three-year period, system usage increased by 197% with full adoption achieved across all key operational and commercial departments.
All new labour hire engagements are now processed end-to-end within SAP Fieldglass, and legacy manual workarounds have been eliminated –
driving consistency, governance, and improved user experience.
Data accuracy and compliance uplift
The introduction of robust governance frameworks and built-in validation processes led to a 100% improvement in data accuracy for Fieldglass-
related reporting. These enhancements significantly reduced audit findings, minimised rework, and ensured reliable data for workforce planning
and commercial decision-making.
Support and resolution efficiency
The establishment of an internal support structure delivered a 91.88% reduction in Fieldglass-related user support tickets submitted to SAP. This
reflects both the capability of the internal team and the success of proactive user training and education. Where issues do arise beyond the
team’s remit, a clear internal escalation pathway ensures swift resolution, with SAP escalation only used as a last resort.
Operational efficiency gains
With frontline support needs managed effectively by the Labour Hire Management Team, the Systems Specialist has been freed up to focus on
high-value activities – such as system optimisation, process innovation, and strategic enhancements. This shift has enabled greater agility and
continuous improvement across the labour hire function.
Next phase of innovation
Fortescue is actively preparing to launch an integration between SAP Success Factors and Fieldglass, which will link approved positions directly to
Labour Hire workforce requisitions. This integration will strengthen position control, enhance workforce planning, and create further alignment
between permanent and Labour Hire workforce processes.
Global scalability and future enablement
The foundational work completed in Australia has positioned Fortescue for a future global rollout of SAP Fieldglass, supporting international
workforce engagements through multi-currency and multi-language capabilities. The platform is also being explored for expansion beyond
traditional labour hire – enabling the inclusion of other contingent worker types that were previously managed via. bulk Purchase Orders.
The evolution not only reflects Fortescue’s commitment to operational excellence and digital maturity, but also showcases how a business-led,
technically proficient team can drive real, lasting value from SAP solutions – while laying the groundwork for sustainable global growth and
innovation.
100% increase
in data accuracy of
Fieldglass-related reporting
91.88% reduction
in Fieldglass-related user
support tickets
197% increase
in system usage over 3 years
Fortescue’s targeted and sustained efforts have successfully transformed SAP Fieldglass from a technically implemented system with low uptake
into a fully embedded, business-critical platform.
The following achievements demonstrate measurable success across adoption, compliance, efficiency, and strategic enablement:
Significant growth in user adoption
Over a three-year period, system usage increased by 197% with full adoption achieved across all key operational and commercial departments.
All new labour hire engagements are now processed end-to-end within SAP Fieldglass, and legacy manual workarounds have been eliminated –
driving consistency, governance, and improved user experience.
Data accuracy and compliance uplift
The introduction of robust governance frameworks and built-in validation processes led to a 100% improvement in data accuracy for Fieldglass-
related reporting. These enhancements significantly reduced audit findings, minimised rework, and ensured reliable data for workforce planning
and commercial decision-making.
Support and resolution efficiency
The establishment of an internal support structure delivered a 91.88% reduction in Fieldglass-related user support tickets submitted to SAP. This
reflects both the capability of the internal team and the success of proactive user training and education. Where issues do arise beyond the
team’s remit, a clear internal escalation pathway ensures swift resolution, with SAP escalation only used as a last resort.
Operational efficiency gains
With frontline support needs managed effectively by the Labour Hire Management Team, the Systems Specialist has been freed up to focus on
high-value activities – such as system optimisation, process innovation, and strategic enhancements. This shift has enabled greater agility and
continuous improvement across the labour hire function.
Next phase of innovation
Fortescue is actively preparing to launch an integration between SAP Success Factors and Fieldglass, which will link approved positions directly to
Labour Hire workforce requisitions. This integration will strengthen position control, enhance workforce planning, and create further alignment
between permanent and Labour Hire workforce processes.
Global scalability and future enablement
The foundational work completed in Australia has positioned Fortescue for a future global rollout of SAP Fieldglass, supporting international
workforce engagements through multi-currency and multi-language capabilities. The platform is also being explored for expansion beyond
traditional labour hire – enabling the inclusion of other contingent worker types that were previously managed via. bulk Purchase Orders.
The evolution not only reflects Fortescue’s commitment to operational excellence and digital maturity, but also showcases how a business-led,
technically proficient team can drive real, lasting value from SAP solutions – while laying the groundwork for sustainable global growth and
innovation.
“”"Successful transformation is not just about technology - it’s about people. What sets our SAP
journey apart is the deliberate focus on user adoption from day one. By embedding change through
thoughtful engagement, co-design, and continuous feedback, we've empowered our workforce to
embrace new ways of working and delivered a solution that truly adds value. Adoption wasn’t the
end goal - it was the foundation of our success.“
- Georgie Loevendie, Labour Hire Management Lead
journey apart is the deliberate focus on user adoption from day one. By embedding change through
thoughtful engagement, co-design, and continuous feedback, we've empowered our workforce to
embrace new ways of working and delivered a solution that truly adds value. Adoption wasn’t the
end goal - it was the foundation of our success.“
- Georgie Loevendie, Labour Hire Management Lead