HRIS Solution: What Is It and Why Use One? | VertiSource HR

The modern world runs on data. There are very few exceptions. Your company’s HR department depends on data just as much as the sales department and executive management. So what kind of data solution does your HR team depend on? Hopefully, it is a full-service human resources information system (HRIS).

HRIS solutions leverage computer technology and big data to make managing every aspect of HR easier. It is the most utilized type of software in modern HR departments. For small businesses just beginning to scale up the HR team to accommodate a larger workforce, investing in an HRIS is a no-brainer.

The HRIS Solution: What It Is

In a nutshell, an HRIS solution accumulates, analyzes, and stores data for end-to-end HR management. The data is key to all sorts of daily tasks including time and attendance management, payroll processing, and hiring and recruiting. As everything is digital, HR administration is easier and more efficient with an HRIS in place.

A typical human resource information system is based in the cloud. As a cloud application, its data is always available and accessible by anyone with the right credentials. Data is maintained in real-time for better decision-making and reporting. And of course, modern cloud security is such that employers have fewer security concerns compared to hosting HR software on a local network.

What It Offers

Think of an HRIS solution as an all-inclusive software package that centralizes HR administration in a modern cloud environment. With that in mind, let us talk about what the system actually offers. Here are the basics:

  • Digital Record-Keeping – Digital record-keeping is the foundation of an HRIS system. Information is entered either manually or through automated imports. Once in the system, data can be tracked, analyzed, and organized into customized reports.
  • Administrative Efficiency – HR administration can be an inefficient and time-consuming task when filing paperwork is involved. An HRIS system makes administration more efficient by digitizing paperwork. Records are more accurate, searches are faster, and paper documents do not have to be managed.
  • Legal Compliance – HR managers have nearly a full-time job just maintaining legal compliance. Compliance issues touch nearly every aspect of HR, from payroll to hiring practices. A good HRIS solution includes compliance tools and checks.
  • Self-Service – An HRIS system isn’t just for the HR team. It is also for the company’s employees. The system gives employees access to their personal information, their benefits packages, and more through an online portal designed around the self-service model.

This is just a small sampling of what a good HRIS solution does for companies. It goes without saying that a good system designed to fit a company’s needs completely changes the way HR administration is handled.

Different Types of HRIS Solutions

It also goes without saying that there are different types of HRIS solutions on the market. A fully comprehensive solution handles everything. However, it is possible to find systems that concentrate more on some aspects and less on others. For example, it is possible to invest in an HRIS with an emphasis on payroll. Another might emphasize applicant tracking.

Most companies will opt for a full-service HRIS to get everything in a single package. Moreover, companies looking for a full-service solution will often outsource their HR entirely to a company like ours.

The human resource information system is arguably the most important software package an HR department can utilize. It brings together all the department’s data and tools in a single location for easy access and greater efficiency. Without an HRIS, the HR department will never be as efficient as it could be.