In general, when you’re considering HR software, you need to select between a “best-of-breed approach that has points for various HR functions, including recruiting, payroll, training, and development, etc., Or an integrated solution that covers all of these functions in one complete package.
The reasoning behind best-of-breed software is that the specific capabilities and advanced capabilities of these tools give advantages that a unified system cannot provide. One example is a tool for recruitment that offers the complete array of features that you may require, including multiposting application tracking, managing candidates, and more.
However, on the flip side, using this method, you could have to create custom integrations between these systems or run these systems in isolation, leading to numerous data sets.
Most people will find neither of these scenarios appealing. It all comes down to whether your requirements are so intricate that you require a specialized system or if you’re willing to sacrifice the advantages of integration.
It’s important to keep in fact it is true that the integration of the HR system has been improved across all functional areas over the past few years, meaning that you may not make as many concessions as you think.
Utilizing a single system will make life for HR personnel easier. Before making your decision, take the time to consider all the advantages and disadvantages carefully. This means weighing the effects of your choice on the entire department as well as the larger enterprise and not just one specific sector – regardless of how individual or complicated it is.
This article will help you and provides five of the biggest advantages that can be gained by selecting an integrated solution:
The integrated HR software can save you time
The use of different methods for different services could make it difficult and confusing for employees. This can cause HR to answer a greater number of inquiries from employees regarding the various systems, which could waste precious time for everyone and hinder productivity.
Through an integrated system, you can connect everything so that employees only need access to one method to see the important data (current information on training, pay details, lea, dates, etc. ). This saves everyone time and stress.
Additionally, when you have one system, it offers a larger potential to automate workflow and automation – cutting down on the manually-driven steps needed to finish a task. This feature is integrated into your HR program, which means there’s no need to develop complicated and expensive interfaces between distinct systems. In addition, using a digital mailbox will further simplify the operations of your business. Through this kind of service, you are able to get and manage all of your mail online, which will cut down on time and the requirement to handle mail in physical form. It could be integrated into your HR system, removing the need to make manual adjustments and resulting in a more efficient workflow.
HR system integration can provide you with one set of information
With multiple systems installed, you are likely to duplicate data, which leads to manual processes and duplicates. An integrated approach, in contrast, offers you one set of current data that allows data to move through your system more easily. Any changes or updates must be done once and then are consistent across all aspects. There is also no requirement to install further integrations in order to transfer data since changes are made across various systems.
To provide a basic example, in the event that an employee’s contract ends and the required information is entered once, all the relevant areas that are affected by the termination are automatically changed instead of the process needing to be duplicated in several systems.
Integrating HR software improves accuracy
Data is only required to be added to your system at a single time and has the additional benefit of increasing the accuracy of your data. When you have multiple systems, more users have to enter more data, increasing the risk of human error and the associated problems that accompany it.
A fully integrated system, though not eliminating the possibility of human error however, greatly reduces it by reducing less extensive data input requirements – offering you more confidence in the accuracy of your employee’s data.
The integration of HR solutions greatly improves reports and analytics
One of the biggest problems faced by HR departments is the time needed to create seemingly easy reports. The main reason lies in the accuracy of the information. In the absence of a single system, data collection, cleaning, and processing of data is usually a manual procedure. It could take days to create reports with unwieldy spreadsheets and complex formulas.
The majority of integrated systems come with reports and analytics tools included together with a complete set of precise data to use. Information can be created in a matter of a few clicks, meaning that HR departments are able to spend more time analyzing data in order to identify trends and take action – instead of endless hours tinkering using spreadsheets.
An HR system makes ensuring compliance much simpler
Regulations for HR professionals are growing due to the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the most evident instance. There are many more things to be completed, which only add to the already full agenda.
Integrated HR systems can help HR departments meet the new requirements by reducing the amount of work required as well as the risk of making a mistake. They will automatize certain compliance processes and offer to track compliance actions. For instance, it could include features that will make sure consent is properly tracked for subjects’ access requests efficiently and delete functionality that complies with the right to erase.
The most reliable software should offer some of these features as well; however, imagine having to duplicate this process on different systems, not to mention the numerous more checks and balances needed to ensure that you comply. A system that is integrated saves you lots of time and headaches and shields you from potentially devastating fines if the regulators decide to conduct an audit of your plans.
Summary of the benefits of software for HR
In the majority of situations, integrated systems are the most comprehensive solution for HR departments. While you may have to sacrifice a bit to get the full capabilities offered by a top-of-the-line solution, in the end, a single system can make things a lot simpler.
There may be instances where an HR function is extremely specialized and requires a sophisticated program. Most of the time, however, small and medium-sized businesses do not have enough complexity that they need such a degree of specialized functionality.
There is no doubt that many organizations have put too much emphasis on the sophisticated features offered by top-of-the-line solutions. Still, the sheer complex nature of their operations does not justifiably justify it. In many cases, this level of complexity is precisely the reason it’s not a useful and efficient tool. This has resulted in the need for a substantial investment in point solutions, which hasn’t been repaid with any competitive advantage. Actually, it’s typically increased HR’s workload and has resulted in it not often being utilized.
Overall, integration improves accuracy, improves automation, reduces repetition, and ensures that systems are governed consistently. This increases productivity and allows HR departments to deliver greater value by providing more precise and regular reporting.