HRIS

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Guide to HRIS - Human Resource Information Systems

Take advantage of the best human resource information systems for your small business
By LaRita M. Heet

	HRIS System How-To HRIS systems help you manage, analyze and report on employee information. Most human resource management systems can be customized to fit your company¹s needs. HRIS systems help you support employees through legal, ethical and intuitive information management.

HRIS systems - or human resource information systems - can help your small business profit from human resources management through software solutions. HRIS systems, also known as human resource management systems (or HRMS), help you manage your most valuable company resource - your employees - by tracking the employees' information in a database or set of integrated databases. 

Here are the top three considerations in human resource information systems: 

1. HRIS systems can handle a variety of tasks, including organizing your employees' employment information, qualifications, benefits, payroll records and more.
2. Human resource management systems (HRMS systems) can reduce paperwork, integrate with payroll and benefits systems and help you with legal compliance issues.
3. Human resource information systems can save your company money through decreased HR expenses and employee turnover and increased employee satisfaction.

 

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a fully integrated HRIS system Look for a human resource information system that works along with your HR department (if you have one) to minimize paperwork and streamline your human resource management systems.

I recommend:  Spectrum's award-winning HRMS system, iVantage, is a fully integrated, Web-based HRIS system that handles data, analytical and reporting needs from application to retirement.

Use HRMS systems to empower employees Human resource management systems allow employees to update their personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, and emergency contacts. Using HRMS systems, employees can also make changes to their benefits plan. This means less administrative work for you or your HR department to handle.

I recommend:  CheckPoint HR offers an HRMS system that integrates payroll, benefits and other HR administration; this human resource management system is designed for employee and manager self-service management 24/7 from any Internet-enabled computer.

Choose a human resource information system with reporting capabilities Human resource management systems that offer a variety of reporting capabilities can help you streamline your employee information by job type, pay scale, benefits and many other categories.

I recommend:  Sage Abra HRMS is a flexible, mid-sized business HRMS system with your choice of data platforms; it comes with hundreds of standard reports and customizable templates. TriNet's Employer and Employee HRIS services include: benefits administration, assistance running an accurate, timely payroll, COBRA and HIPAA administration, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and 401k benefit services, EEO reporting and more.

Get proper training for your HRMS systems Changing over to HRIS systems from your old HR practices may take some time and definitely requires some training. Make sure any HRIS system you are considering includes training in the price.

I recommend:  The Dovetail Group offers web-based and consultant-led training sessions to help you become proficient in its HRIS software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Contracting with an HRIS system vendor is an invaluable (and less expensive) way to manage your employee information.
• Find a flexible human resource management system that will allow you to add services as your business grows.
• Find HRMS systems that offer reports, management and other features to fit your company and HR issues.
• Human resource management systems can help a company organize and manage employee hiring, training, regulatory guidance, disciplinary histories and more.