Which HRIS software should you buy in summary:
- The digital transformation of HR has been supported by the ongoing development of HRIS software. But, with so many HRIS software solutions on the market, buyers should look for 6 key features.
- These include pay-as-you-go Software-as-a-Service, mobile technology and a consumer-grade experience.
- In addition, look for HRIS software that is modular and future-proofed, feature HR portals and shared workspaces, has intuitive self-service and is brand and people orientated.
There’s no doubt that HR are now key strategic partners within many forward-thinking organisations.
This is mainly down to the fact HR professionals have been able to move away from the administrative duties of the past, and into providing more value-added activities.
This move has only been made possible though, by the digital transformation of HR. Instead of using a hodgepodge of disjointed systems and manual, siloed processes, modern HR teams are now utilising the power of cloud-based HRIS platforms to unify every aspect of their people management duties.
From absence and performance management, to talent retention and candidate attraction, modern HRIS software solutions can do it all – and make it all easier, too!
It must be said though, that the growing importance of HRIS software isn’t something that’s just ‘happened’. Indeed, research from Watson Towers Watson back in 2018 underlined the important role HR software solutions would play in the future of work: helping organisations manage both their people and their business better.
Fast forward to 2023, and Gartner’s 2023 Future of Work Trends continue to highlight the pivotal role HRIS software will play both now and in the future. In particular, Gartner say that HR managers will rely more on HRIS software that include powerful analytics tools to improve employee retention, recruitment and training.
So, there you have it. The digital transformation of HR is underpinned by powerful HRIS software. Freeing human resources professionals from repetitive tasks, simplifying day-to-day processes, and better connecting employees with both their data and each other. Is it time you joined the revolution?
Choosing HRIS software: the 6 key features to look out for
If you’re looking for an HRIS platform that will help you streamline HR processes, free your HR teams from endless admin and have a real impact on business performance, which one should you buy?
To help you decide, here’s what your ideal HRIS platform should include…
A pay-as-you-go Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
SaaS has revolutionised the HR technology market. There’s no longer any need for companies to invest in buying and maintaining expensive hardware, or to worry about continually updating software.
The latest HRIS software soltutions are virtually all hosted in the Cloud, taking IT-related headaches away from HR teams, and giving users the ability to log in securely at any time and from wherever they may be. In addition, you should also look for an HRIS software solution that can seamlessly scale with your business and ideally, is a monthly ‘pay-as-you-go’ HR SaaS. This is great for businesses that perhaps have seasonal increases or decreases in staffing levels.
That type of scalability means you’ll only ever pay for the number of active employees, and the service you have can be scaled up or down easily when required. A pay-as-you-go service also ensures you’re not tied into lengthy contracts – perfect for if you do need to adjust your service levels for any reason.
Lastly, consider if you’ll need your HRIS platform to manage a global workforce. For example, with Cezanne’s pay-as-you-go HRIS, you won’t be charged extra for overseas offices or language translations. Better still, for organisations with bases in multiple countries, Cezanne HR includes 11 key languages at no extra charge.
Mobile technology and a consumer-grade experience
Another core feature of the 2018 Towers Watson survey found that use of mobile technology was predicted to grow exponentially. This prediction certainly wasn’t wrong!
Nearly half (46%) of the respondents reported using mobile technologies for their HR processes. More recently, research has discovered that 87% of businesses now rely on their employees to use their personal mobile devices to access company apps.
With many businesses now embracing remote and flexible working models, people – and businesses – are now more dependent than ever on mobile devices such as phones and tablets.
It’s also important to note that employees now expect a consumer-grade experience when it comes to using workplace software. They’ll want to manage their own transactions and be able to access their own data wherever (and whenever) they like.
It makes sense then, that whichever HRIS software solution you buy can be accessed on mobile devices at any time, from anywhere, and have both Android and iOS compatibility. This also benefits businesses and HR in terms of speed of communications, and the streamlining of day-to-day processes, such as managing absence requests.
HR Portals and shared workspaces
The explosion of flexible and remote working since 2020 has seen a huge rise in the use of HR portals and shared workspaces. HR portals provide a central place where all key HR documents and policies can be housed and easily accessed by managers and employees. But, they’re much more than just a repository for information.
Used to their fullest extent, HR portals and shared workspaces are an influential communication tool that can help companies build engagement, encourage internal networking and get just-in-time feedback from employees. And of course, they’re also a great tool for facilitating collaboration, allowing people to exchange ideas and share knowledge – stimulating greater innovation across the business.
Intuitive self-service
HR and line managers can often lose valuable hours answering mundane queries. These – generally – include how much annual leave people have left, what the correct procedure is for reporting in sick, when the next performance appraisal is due… the list goes on…
That type of monotonous admin gets in the way of them focusing on the more important aspects of their job. It can also lead to frustration when people can’t get quick answers to simple questions. Hardly surprising then, that 60% of companies in another Towers Watson survey said they want to increase their use of self-service tools.
Any HRIS software solution worth its salt will have self-service functionality built in. This allows employees to have control over their own personal data and manage administerial duties. Duties such as checking on annual leave allocation or requesting holiday absences can all by themselves. Line managers can also gain an overview of what’s happening in their team and can manage their people more efficiently.
Modular, scalable and future-proofed systems
The latest generation HR systems are capable of growing and evolving alongside your business. As mentioned earlier on, HRIS software solutions like Cezanne are offered on a pay-as-you-go basis. You only ever pay for the number of active employees at any one time and can scale up easily as the business expands.
The Cezanne HRIS also benefits from being a modular platform. This means you can start with HR basics, such as core people management and absence management, and add other features such as performance management later on. As a result, you only ever pay for the software you really need.
Beware of static systems or those that will be expensive to update. Make sure the HRIS supplier you choose has an eye on the future and is constantly seeking your feedback. And, keep tabs on whether they’re keeping apace of developments in HR, and looking for new and useful features to add.
People-centric and brand-orientated
The final – and perhaps often forgotten – element of a good HRIS platform is the ability for it to match your own company’s brand identity.
It’s critical to remember that great brand identities permeate through every customer and employee touchpoint of a business. Your HRIS will be a critical touchpoint for your staff. So, consider whether your choice in HRIS includes editable functionality such as fully configurable dashboards, editable colour schemes, custom terminologies / fields, and even the option to re-name it.
When you can edit your HRIS platform to reflect your organisation’s language, look and feel, you can help build more meaningful engagement with your staff. You’ll also be able to give your employees a much more personalised experience. One that reflects well on your own company brand as well.
And finally, consider how your choice of HRIS software can better improve the culture of your business. For example, Cezanne’s core People Management software includes an in-built peer-to-peer recognition platform called Kudos. Employees can thank each other for their support, acknowledge going above and beyond the call of duty. Or, simply appreciate a job well done.
When employees feel valued in their roles, they’re more likely to be happier, more productive, and stay for longer. Simple peer-to-peer recognition platforms can provide the foundations for positive company cultures. They often lead to better levels of engagement, productivity and motivation across a business.
Author Bio
MICPD-qualified Peter Hall is the Head of Customer Success at Cezanne. He’s been with the business since its launch in 2013, and has over a decade’s worth of experience in successfully implementing HR software solutions for global clients.