Optimise The Potential of HR tech: A Guide For Business Leaders

In this article, Jaianand HariKrishnan, Senior Manager, HRMS at AscentHR, provides a detailed guide on optimising HR technology to add maximum value to an organisation. 

Just like technology enhances our daily lives, business and HR leaders understand that HR technology can add significant value to their organisations. HR technology delivers value in both direct and indirect ways. One of the immediate and direct benefits that HR technology provides to an organisation is optimised work efficiency and cost savings due to automated and streamlined HR activities and processes.

The transformative potential of HR technology

Some of the best-known benefits of HR technology are indirect.
It helps shape workplace culture, boost employee engagement, strengthen the brand, and cultivate a nurturing work environment. Above all, it improves an organisation’s financial performance, even though HR applications are not a client-facing technology investment.

There’s no denying the fact that technology enables business value in terms of revenue growth, profitability, improved performance, and overall competitiveness. But some organisations are not realising the full potential of their technology investments. Given the clear benefits HR technology offers, how can leaders ensure that their HR tech delivers value for their organisation? Here are a few suggestions:

The need for continued management and attention

Whether you have implemented a solution to take care of one HR process or you have embraced an all-encompassing HCM, these powerful solutions need continued management and attention. Post-implementation, the technology should be well-utilised, maintained, and supported. Moreover, user groups must be equipped with ongoing training and support. It’s only after this that one can expect to see a significant difference in the way the organisation operates.

 Adapt tech to evolving organisational needs

To realise full value from the technology investments, the HR solution needs innovative features and upgrades as the organisational needs and goals change over time. Today’s HR applications can be optimised or reconfigured to support both an organisation’s actual demand as well as any unpredictable demands. Leaders must strive to assess their HR technology strategy regularly and see if the solutions are aligned with the changing needs and goals.

Importance of regular updates and smooth transitions

The next goal is to ensure regular updates and patches for implemented systems. Every system requires regular attention and management. Leaders must ensure that implemented systems have a proven track record of smooth updates and transitions. Leaders can also keep a tab on the system’s lifecycle in terms of when the next upgrade or version is scheduled to be released, what are the implications of those updates, and how to communicate the updates clearly and in a timely manner to benefit from the new capabilities and functionalities.

The best way to manage these complex activities is by establishing a transition plan. For instance, leaders can start preparing an end-of-lifecycle transition plan for a particular programme based on the upcoming changes. This plan can include everything from communicating with your HR technology provider’s support team to keeping your own relevant employees informed about upcoming changes.

There’s no denying the fact that technology enables business value in terms of revenue growth, profitability, improved performance, and overall competitiveness. But some organisations are not realising the full potential of their technology investments.

Finally, HR leaders can consider reviewing their HR Technology strategy at regular intervals that work best for their organisation. This not only ensures that their HR solutions have the required continuous management and attention but also helps leaders to identify which applications should be discontinued, which ones need enhancements or integrations, and whether new technologies are required to support a larger transformation.

HR tech is an essential tool for modern organisations looking to optimise their workforce management processes. However, simply implementing HR tech solutions is not enough to guarantee success. It is important to carefully evaluate the needs of your organisation and choose HR tech solutions that align with your goals and values. Additionally, ensuring effective adoption and use of HR tech solutions requires a concerted effort to train and educate employees and leadership on the benefits of these solutions and the proper way to use them. Regularly reviewing and refining HR tech processes can contribute to sustained value and a robust return on investment. With these strategies in mind, organisations can successfully leverage HR tech to streamline their processes, improve their bottom line, and better support their employees.

About the author: JaiAnand HariKrishnan is a technology and operations expert with 23 years of experience. He currently plays a pivotal role at AscentHR, where he collaborates with the sales, marketing, and IT departments to develop and implement HRMS.