Expanding talent, maximising performance
Everyone in HR today wants to know how their organisation can handle data better, from giving executives the power to make data-driven decisions to streamlining the efficiency of your HR operation. All HR managers want is to put more actionable information in the hands of their line managers and employees.
Many large companies and enterprises have dozens of databases, including recruitment, performance management, compensation, benefits, as well as time and attendance systems as sources of workforce data. However, whether your organisation has acquired these multiple HR systems through acquisition or through reorganisations, missing a firm foundation of people data prevents you from using your talent as a competitive advantage.
To ensure better visibility of the organisation's workforce and their development, vendors often recommend ripping out existing disparate HR systems and replacing them with one consolidated master platform. There are other options.
The rip-and-replace principle is a costly and time-consuming process and can cause considerable downtime during the implementation. We recommend that you explore your options. Why not rather keep what is working and look at incorporating a platform that interfaces with your data and which feeds it back to you in a meaningful way.
HR isn't an island
Its functions can't stay siloed from each other or from the rest of the organisation anymore. It needs to be fully integrated into the business and therefore data integration has become essential at all levels. By integrating disparate HR and business systems, it becomes easier to measure, optimise and improve organisational performance. For example, at an executive management level:
- Integrating HR information with financial and operations data improves insights and informs better decisions, and
- At an HR level, integrating workforce, talent and learning processes improve workforce performance and help people do their jobs better.
There is also an ever-growing need for access to HR data in real time. One of the less user-friendly aspects of most HR technology is the need to leave what you're doing, whether it's interacting with a customer or working in another application, to access information or actions in an HR system. HR data needs to be pervasive, in other words it needs to be available to managers or employees when they need it or where they need it.
Consolidating all your HR systems may sound like a great idea
In an ideal world, it makes sense. Fewer systems mean cost savings, better data and dealing with one vendor is surely easier than dealing with three or more? However, consolidating data is easier said than done. Besides, some of your current HR technology investments may work just fine for now.
You shouldn't have to throw out what's working just to get data consolidated. I suggest that organisations use their current systems data in a more efficient way through an overarching integrated hosted platform. This eliminates the need to undertake a costly rip-and-replace procedure, and minimises any impact on productivity.
Making the decision not to rip out an old system and replace it with an entirely new one will save time and money, as well as supporting the future growth of the business. Integrated HR platforms, such as these, allow organisations to add on the desired modules as their business expands and HR technology advances.
HR integration gives organisations the competitive edge by leveraging the talent of their employees and managing all the data collected on an organisations staff in an effective and efficient manner. In other words, you expand your talent and maximise performance.
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Gavin Olivier is a partner in, and managing director at, performance company, LRMG. |
