Stand-alone vs integrated HR software – what’s best for your business?
If you’ve been struggling to gather support to invest or upgrade your HR software, you’ll be pleased to discover there is now a new way to move forward. So often, the stumbling block that scuppers internal agreement to implement new software is cost. A whole new HR system for HR, perhaps also including Learning and Development and other specialist areas such as Payroll and Finance, sounds great in theory but expensive and disruptive in the real world. But there is an alternative way forward.
The most common HR System
For many companies, especially those with geographical reach or multiple trading entities, the most practical solution for HR software is a stand-alone system. This type of HR software often offers many practical departmental functions and can help to reduce the administrative burden to some degree by introducing automated processes within the HR function. But it does have limitations which very quickly come to the fore when HR has to interact with other areas of the business – Payroll and Finance are obvious examples. An integrated HR system which interfaces directly with software in other areas in the business is the ideal but can be difficult to get approval for.
Some of the best new ideas come from tackling the root of the problem and for HR leaders, cost and complexity have long been the recurring issues in the technology debate. By its very nature, HR has to interact, which means that finding a flexible HR software solution which is effective enough without causing significant disruption or breaking the budget has been pretty difficult, if not impossible.
It’s all about integrated HR Software
Our HR software experts have tackled this entrenched problem head on and have come up with an interesting solution which hinges on a forward-thinking modular approach and has the flexibility to embrace the entire business over time, not just HR. It’s called Access Workspace.
So what does Access Workspace do differently to address the core problem of cost and complexity? The answer is how this modular system operates. At the heart of Access Workspace is a central database which feeds ‘one version of the truth’ into one or many software apps that link to it. In this example, an HR system is set up initially, offering all the functionality, usability and compliance features you would expect from any up-to-date HR software package. But Access Workspace really comes into its own when your business is ready to do more. Further software designed for other specialist areas can be added as and when required – either up front as part of a new solution, or later as system upgrades are phased in. Each module added interfaces with the same central database and, importantly, can be integrated with other parts of your business, building a fully functioning ERP-style solution from the ground up.
It’s a HR System that can grow with you
Concerns about the cost? This modular approach offers the opportunity to start with one area and add to it over time. It’s much more cost-effective than a ‘big bang’ solution which is usually expensive up front and can also mean costly disruption to day-to-day operations. Access Workspace can also interface with numerous other software packages too, so no need to wipe the slate clean and discard existing software that is still effective.
And concerns about complexity? Every element of the Access Workspace solution is cleverly designed to work perfectly with other areas of the business. So, whether you’re aiming for a comprehensive suite of HR tools that combines core HR functionality with Talent Management, Learning & Development and Self-Service – or your business is looking wider to create integrated software across the whole company including Finance, Payroll, Customer Service, Stock Control, Warehouse Management or more – Access Workspace can flex to meet your needs. Choose to add new modules over time as and when you’re ready to upgrade, enabling you to set the agenda and take control.
The Access Workspace modular approach offers a brand-new opportunity for HR professionals to take the lead in the software integration debate. Why not set the ball rolling by implementing an integrated HR system which not only solves the problems you face today, but also has the potential to grow into a company-wide solution for the whole business? Check out our role specific HR demo videos to see how different roles can use Access Workspace in your organisation.
