Smartphones drive HR automation for SMEs in Africa
Smartphones are enabling the automation of people administration and human resources for small businesses. Latest smartphone capabilities are providing SMEs with options to explore new and innovative ways of automating businesses. It's forecasted that there will be more than 635 million mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa. This is predicted to rise to 930 million by late 2019 - where it is estimated that three in four mobile subscriptions will have internet access. This internet connectivity is revolusionising automation for SMEs.
Mobile HR applications cover a broad range of HR activities, such as:
- Time,
- Leave,
- Data,
- Performance management, and
- Payroll.
Small business owners can manage all the activities themselves or give grant access to these Apps via their own smartphones, to submit leave requests or to view pay slips. New generation Apps allow for data synchronisation via the cloud, which means data is always backed up and available.
Cloud computing promotes a virtual workforce
With new HR Apps, small businesses have the power to manage their employees via mobile devices across geographical areas. As with cloud computing, mobility doesn't require any technical or physical infrastructure as everything is based on the internet, which reduces costs dramatically.
Mobile banking is providing SMEs with cheaper and immediate access to their finances. HR Apps will be integrated with mobile banking solutions, such as M-Pesa, that will allow SMEs to do their payroll via their smartphones while transfering wages to their staff. This reduces the need to travel to bank branches or use unintegrated solutions such as online banking. With a large number of people in sub-Saharan Africa not having bank accounts, mobile banking provides them access to formal financial services.
Personal and business technology has converged to drive HR mobility
The convergence of personal and business technology is further driving mobility in HR management, as employees can now use their own devices to access and input business data. For business this means lower costs as BOYD (bring your own device) reduces the need for capital investment to purchase equipment for employees. Mobility is also making user interfaces easier and more intuitive. Users can use these Apps immediately without the need for any training due to its simplicity. Improved user experiences drive higher utilisation of software, which translates into higher ROI and productivity for business.
Mobile Apps are helping small businesses to formalise their human resources practices while reducing the need for complex and expensive IT solutions. SMEs can use Apps instantly with the knowledge that their data is backed up and available in real-time. The strong take-up of smartphones in Africa is a key driver for the mobile revolution in business automation. Mobility is enabling the most basic functions in business with technology and infrastructure which was never available before.
