The 5 Most Important Features for HR Software
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It's that time again - the New Year is when we all start thinking about how we want to improve something in our lives.
Most people resolve to change something in their personal lives, but maybe you're more business-minded. If so, is more efficient human resources on your list of resolutions? Will this be the year you gift your HR department with new human resource management system (HRMS) software?
Some HR managers have put off switching from spreadsheets to HR software, even though they know it will improve the way their department works. Well, consider this your year. It's time to say goodbye to fickle and frustrating spreadsheets that take hours to manage and don't give you the insights you need. You spend nearly a third of your life at work - make it a less painful experience by switching to HRMS.
As for choosing the right platform, think of buying a car. Some features are optional (like a Bluetooth radio), and some are absolute necessities (like wheels). Today, we'll discuss five features that are essential for HR software. As you shop around, keep these features in mind, or you'll end up with software that's no better than your spreadsheet.
Centralized employee database
The biggest problem with spreadsheets is that you have to change, edit, and update every detail yourself.
Spreadsheets don't centralize information, and they don't communicate with other applications. Every time you make a change, you have to go back through every document, program, and system to make the same change and keep everything up to date. It's a nightmare, and it's likely that something will go wrong somewhere along the way.
A centralized employee database solves this problem by storing information in an interactive database that can be integrated with other programs. It is updated throughout as information is changed, so everything is always up to date. You never have to worry about conflicting versions or editing multiple files. All the work is done for you.
Automated Paid Time Off
Calculating, tracking and handling time off can be a pain.
That's why PTO should be managed with HR software. With the right system features, you can determine how time off is calculated, and the system will automate the adjustment each time an employee takes paid leave. That way, you won't have to wonder if you recorded the time or check to see if the accrual formula you used in spreadsheets was calculated correctly. The computer does it accurately every time, eliminating the potential for human error.
Employee self-service
These days, employees expect on-demand access to the systems they use.
Give them the freedom to access their PTO, employment information, tax documents, etc. with HR software that has built-in self-service capabilities. With the right platform, employees can access their profile from anywhere with an internet connection. They should be able to request time off, review benefits, track training and more. Take it a step further and invest in a platform that offers a mobile app that allows employees to request time off on the go.
Read More... Benefits of HRIS within an Organization
HR reporting
It's difficult to see the value in tracking HR information if you can't do anything with it.
Much like Big Data has changed the way departments like marketing and design make decisions, the information you gather about past and current employees can be used to make beneficial changes to company rules, policies and procedures. As with the above functions, the key to implementation is finding the right HRMS.
Important to an HRMS and a good Human Resource Information System (HRIS) is the ability to generate reports. From reports on employee absenteeism to those that show when most employees use up their PTO to statistics on new hire scheduling, a robust reporting capability can make the most of your data and save you a lot of time. Ideally, you'll have access to a library of report templates and can create customizable reports from current and past HR data. With the right information right at your fingertips, you'll be able to make earth-shattering changes in no time.
Candidate Management
Managing candidate can be just as complicated as managing employees.
With applicant management, you have access to a central database where you can organize job openings and manage candidate information for those jobs. It also makes it much easier to store information about potential employees for future reference. From job posting to onboarding, the entire process runs much more smoothly with applicant management.
The five HRMS software features listed above are a must for the online HR software you choose. They minimize the amount of time you spend managing HR data, which in turn allows you to maximize your productivity. With all the tedious and time-consuming tasks automated, you can finally get back to the reason you went into HR in the first place: to help people.
From onboarding to payroll to terminating employees, you'll be more effective than ever with a high-quality HRMS. Start your search for the perfect platform by checking out IceHrm, where you can test the waters with a 45 days free trial.
Find Out More... 9 HR Software Features to Consider
