Long reluctant to embrace technology, human resources professionals are apparently overcoming their disdain for IT's assistance and moving into the 21st century at last.
That's the message from a Towers Watson survey of HR professionals which sought their input on use of technology.
What the survey showed was a steadier commitment to integrating technology into the HR function than in the past.
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For instance, 88 percent of the nearly 800 surveyed said their IT budget for the year was either the same as the previous year or had increased. And they're spending on cutting edge systems: 40 percent are replacing the in-house network with a software-as-a-service system, and 30 percent are installing a brand new core system—"an all-time high" for the survey, Towers Watson noted. Two-thirds now have an HR portal as part of their service to employees.
But the move to online data management still has a ways to go. Towers Watson said 74 percent reported being happy with their current tech system—but nearly a quarter of those are still using paper as part of their process.
What's the secret to tech happiness? From the responses to the survey, Towers Watson said the successful organizations:
• Introduced new types of collaboration tools for the delivery of HR services;
• Implemented a new HR portal;
• Reengineered key HR processes;
• Implemented a new core HR system;
• Built or further invested in an HR analytics function.
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
