HR managers are caught in a trap. They want to take an holistic view of the organisation, but often have to do so with a rag bag of software systems. John Stokdyk and Lucie Benson explore the possibilities for pulling the different pieces together.
As anyone who has trawled through the HRZone.co.uk guide to human resources software will know, the breadth and variety of HR software available is bewildering.
In most organisations, HR software has been deployed piecemeal, with different functions automated at different times, sometimes with discrete programs from different companies. In extreme cases, this can lead to overlaps, gaps and duplication of effort, such as the need to key payroll details into an accounts system.
The wider world is now coming around to the idea that people really are a strategic resource and that HR activities should be aligned to the organisation's long-term goals.