Steps to Completing a Successful HR Software Comparison

In today’s world, human resources departments have taken on more and more to ensure company compliance with government regulations and to protect the employees from discrimination. What was once a simple job of payroll and attendance has become a far more complex process requiring more people and quality software to get the job done correctly. To make sure that your needs get met, it is important to do an HR software comparison.

HR Software Comparison: Start With a Plan

The key first step with an HR software comparison is to determine what is missing from your current offering and to determine what is there but could be improved. This needs to be looked at before any specific products are researched. You don’t want to get lost in the weeds with product information if you don’t really know what it is you are supposed to find. However, it is important to know the various modules commonly available in HR software.

HR Software Comparison: The Modules

Some of the common modules available with most programs you will look at during an HR software comparison are payroll, personnel files, time and attendance records, benefits tracking, employee training records, disciplinary records and performance records. Some other slightly less common modules, though still useful, include job recruitment, job profiling (to assist in recruitment), job promotion, separation and employee self-service capabilities. Finally, some companies have specific module needs that are not common. To have these needs met, sometimes it necessitates working with a company that is focused on your industry, or else it means working with a vendor to customize your software program.

HR Software Comparison: The Vendors

Some of the largest software companies in the world have HR software packages. Companies like Sage, Oracle, and Microsoft have comprehensive software packages. Other companies like Avantx, Celegro, Ascentis, Epicor, InfinityHR, iCIMS, JSM HR and HR Advantage all are more specifically pointed towards human resources, and ought to be checked out when doing an HR software comparison. Depending on your needs and your budget, any of these companies might have the perfect solution for you. Just looking at the larger companies can be a problem, but so can ignoring them thinking they are too big for you.

HR Software Comparison: The Decision

When all is said and done, and you have fully completed your HR software comparison, it’s time to pull the trigger. If you have found someone who will work with you, has a competent IT group to help support you after the purchase, and if they have the modules you need at the right price, that decision is easy. Sometimes that decision can be more difficult if your needs are more focused on a niche than other companies.

Regardless, once the proper software is selected and implemented, you will see an improvement in your HR staff work quality, and their work satisfaction. When you are able to effectively measure performance in your HR software comparison, you will not only justify the investment, you will also see a healthier bottom line.