HRIS Vendor Analysis of the U.S. Companies - Case Study Example

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Cover page ……………………………………………………………………………….. 01 II. Table of Contents ...……………………..……………………………………………….. 02 III. HRIS Vendor Analysis .………………………………………………………………….. 03 IV. HRIS Company Profiles …………….. ………………………………………………….. 05 i. Auxillium West …….……………………………………………………….. 05 ii. Apex Business Software ..….…………………………………………….. 06 iii. Atlas Business Solutions .………………………….………………….….. 07 iv. Ascentis Corporation ………………………………………………….…... 08 v. Spectrum Human Resource Systems Corporation ……………….….... 09 V. Endnotes …………………………………….…………………………………………….. 11 VI. Work Cited …………………………………….…………………………………………… 12 HRIS VENDOR ANALYSIS This HRIS Vendor Analysis utilizes the company profiles of five HRIS software vendors in the USA. The summary and analysis are as follows: The first company profiled was Auxillium West. They carry the following products: HRSource™ HRIS, SelfSource™, The HR Internet/HR Portal Solution, Leave Tracking Module, Project Tracking/Time Tracking Module, Interface, and Organization Chart Software. They also offer the following services: Onsite Training and Implementation Support, Support Loading Data, Interfacing with Third Party Systems, Annual Maintenance and Technical Support.1 The second company profiled was Apex Business Software. They carry the following products: iHR, Instant Self Serve, iLeave, Time and Attendance, iFMLA, iBenefits, Punch Clock Terminals. No available information was posted in their website regarding their services. 2 The third company profiled was Atlas Business Solutions. They carry the following products: Staff Files 5.0, Visual Staff Scheduler® PRO, Schedule Anywhere.com, Customer Appointment Manager™, Ultimate Business Planner®, Ultimate Financial Forecaster®. No available information was posted in their website regarding their services. 3 The fourth company profiled was Ascentis Corporation. They carry the following products: HROffice. HROffice Employee Self-Service, Alerts, Staffing Solutions-Applicant Manager, Payroll Connect, and HROfficeASP™. They also offer the following services: Carrier Connect, Employee Tracking Software–Staffing Solutions, and Business Intelligence Services. 4 The fifth company profiled was Spectrum Human Resource Systems Corporation. The company carry the following products iVantage®, HRVantage®, and Small Business Offerings. No available information was posted in their website regarding their services.5 The goal of every company or organization is to be responsive and profitable to the environment where they belong. Whether it is within or outside them, companies or organizations should be well organized in dealing with their human resources before they could successfully market any product or services. Human resources serves as the company’s frontline, thus human resources are very crucial factor for any product or service performance in the market. The overall impression for the vendors and their products is that every vendor carries relevant HRIS software with almost similar features, they may be bundled or modularized. The advantage for bundled HRIS software is that you could maximize the use all the features that you need for an HRIS software as soon as possible but have bigger one time expense or cost. However, smaller companies may prefer modularized HRIS software to gradually achieve their needed HRIS software features commensurate to their economic and financial capabilities at a given time. Products of HRIS vendors I, II, III, IV, V are somewhat similar in their features, only which the product packaging varies. Services of vendors I and IV are almost similar in features and supports well their respective companies’ product and third party products. These products regardless of the vendor company who developed them definitely help the organization to create a competitive advantage by being practical, cost-effective, informative, efficient, on time. However, there are differences in packaging, user interface design, and the technology that are being utilized. In planning to purchase an HRIS software system, one has to consider most is the availability if product support and product interfacing. Other features like adaptability and compliance to the standards and the laws and regulations of the state on where the product will be used must also be taken into consideration. HRIS VENDOR PROFILE I. Name of Organization : Auxillium West Address : 7560 Waterford Drive, Cupertino, CA 95014 Web Site : http://www.auxillium.com/ PRODUCT DESCRIPTION HRSource™ HRIS An HR database that enables the tracking, analysis, and reporting of personnel data. SelfSource™ A web-based conduit to HRSource™ that enables manager self-service and employee self-service. The HR Internet/ HR Portal Solution A pre-designed intranet system to enhance employee communications. Leave Tracking Module A web-based module that enables online processing of time-off requests from employees and responses/ approvals from managers. Project Tracking/ Time Tracking Module A web-based module that enables employees to enter time worked and paid time-off. Managers approve timesheets online. Interface Interfacing to Third Party systems such as payroll, and timekeeping systems. Organization Chart Software Organization Chart Software interface included with HRSource™ Web Application Form - allows applicants to enter their information on the applicant page of your website. SERVICES DESCRIPTION Onsite Training and Implementation Support If somebody needs help implementing the system, support personnel can come to the site and help. Onsite training is also available as a cost-effective way of getting multiple users effectively using the system right away. Support Loading Data Support loading data from electronic media (text file or Excel) into HRSource™. Interfacing with Third Party Systems Support your efforts in minimizing dual data entry by helping to interface HRSource™ with other systems you currently use. Annual Maintenance and Technical Support Customer satisfaction is most important to the company. With annual maintenance and technical support, the clients have access to the support staff and automatically receive any updates/upgrades to the system. CUSTOMER PROFILES Type of Customers University Research Facilities, Retail Chains, HRnetSource HRIS; Companies and organizations in the following industries use HRSource™: Banking/Finance, Biotechnology, Business Services, Building Construction, Distributor Channel, Education, Engineering/Technical Services, Entertainment, Hospitality, Government, Healthcare/Hospital, High Tech, HR Services, Insurance, Labor Unions, Manufacturing, Media/Broadcasting, Medical Devices Manufacturing, Non-Profit, Real Estate, Social Services, Transportation, Wholesale; and The following are some of the companies customers: Stewart Title of California; Wartsila NA, Inc.; Terawave Communications; Abeona Networks, Inc.; Integrated Telecom Exchange Organization Size  Small to mid-size companies. Public or Private Both. BRIEF COMPANY HISTORY AND BACKGROUND How long they have been in business Auxillium West was formed in 1996. Background of owners A group of HR professionals. Circumstances surrounding the start of business Having broad and extensive human resources experience. Significant Events in its history Not available. PRIMARY FOCUS OF OPERATIONS Organization strategy Auxillium West vision begins with an HR philosophy as described by David Ulrich. HR has four roles in David Ulrich's model: Strategic Partner, Change Agent, Administrative Expert, and Employee Champion. Auxillium West helps to fulfill the four roles by playing: Strategic Partner role, Change Agent role, Administrative role, and Employee Champion role. Mission To support small to mid-sized companies in their desire to establish efficient and effective HR processes. They do this by offering an integrated and affordable HR office automation solution. II. Name of Organization : Apex Business Software Address : 11711 North Meridian ST STE 760, Carmel, IN 46032 Web Site : http://www.ihrsoftware.com/ PRODUCT DESCRIPTION iHR iHR provides a full-featured, affordable HRIS that empowers HR professionals and supervisors to effortlessly manage critical employee information on a day-to-day basis. Instant Self Serve Instant Self-Serve (ISS) is a Web add-on for iHR and iLeave. iLeave, Time and Attendance iLeave is an economical alternative to iHR. It integrates with biometric/swipe card "punch clock" terminals and manages leave and timecards without managing all of the other HRIS information.  iFMLA iFMLA takes control of intermittent leave and ongoing medical conditions. iFMLA provides powerful management reports that show percent working time lost, and it raises timely reminders when medical certifications are about to expire. iBenefits iBenefits tracks benefits, COBRA, and tax deferred-retirement plans like 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and RRSPs. Punch Clock Terminals Biometric, Swipe card, Fully integrates with iHR & iLeave. SERVICES DESCRIPTION Not Available Not available. CUSTOMER PROFILES Type of Customers Not available. Organization Size Small to mid-size companies. Public or Private Both. BRIEF COMPANY HISTORY AND BACKGROUND How long they have been in business Apex Business Software was founded in 2000. Background of owners Apex Business Software is a software development firm that specializes in providing computer-based management, leave, FMLA, and benefit tracking products. Circumstances surrounding the start of business As a result of numerous inquiries for a secure, cost-effective and flexible time & attendance software package. Significant events in its history Instant HR was later developed at the request of business owners and HR personnel. They desired a program complimentary with their accounting and payroll software that could track employees across multiple locations, support an unlimited number of employees and users, take personnel files paperless, and accrue leave time automatically. PRIMARY FOCUS OF OPERATIONS Organization strategy - Delivers human resource software packages to a variety of companies by providing leading-edge products that cater to the multiple needs of human resource personnel. - Offers commercial off-the-shelf products with many of the service and support benefits of a customized package. Mission To revolutionize employee management by insuring that customers have instant access to the employee records and attendance information they need in order to insure optimal company productivity. III. Name of Organization : Atlas Business Solutions Address : PO Box 9013, Fargo, ND 58106-9013 Web Site : http://www.staff-files.com/ PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Staff Files 5.0 Staff Files is the perfect HR software for today's managers and human resource professionals who need an easy way to store, retrieve, and safeguard employee information. Visual Staff Scheduler® PRO The #1 shift scheduling system. Simply list your employees, define your shifts, and start scheduling! It's really that simple. Ideal for any shift-based or 24/7 business. Schedule Anywhere.com Affordable online staff scheduling, anytime, anywhere! ScheduleAnywhere.com leverages the Internet to make online employee scheduling easy. Schedule your staff from any browser with this flexible and scalable web-based system. Customer Appointment Manager™ The fastest way to book appointments! Everything you'll need to promptly schedule your customers is right at your fingertips in this easy-to-use, computer-based appointment book. Ultimate Business Planner® Need to write a business plan? Here's everything you'll need to finish your business plan and financials quickly and easily. Ultimate Financial Forecaster® Just need help with your financials? In minutes, you'll create P&Ls, Cash Plans, Balance Sheets, Financial Ratios, and more. No experience required! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! SERVICES DESCRIPTION Not available Not available CUSTOMER PROFILES Type of Customers Here are just a few satisfied customers: Ace Hardware; American Dental Company; American Express; American Lung Assoc.; American Red Cross; Beaverton Christian Church; Boys & Girls Club; Burbank Fire Dept.; Cabela's Inc.; Capital One; Catholic Charities; CBT Systems; Central Chemical & Service; Central States Mortgage; Cincinnati Zoo; City of Murphy Police Dept.; Clinique; Cobra Roofing Services; Con Edison; Crittenton Hospital; Dell Computer; Deputy Sheriff's Association; Dirats Laboratories; Federal Correction Institute; Federal Prison Camp; First National Bank; Forward Vision Group; Healthsouth; Holy Cross Hospital; Houston Works; Humane Farming Association; ICR Services, Inc.; International Bridge Corp; Lantrax, Inc.; Leroy's Sports Books; Majestic Security & Protection; Markoff & Mittman PC; McDonald's; Megastar Financial Corp.; Mellow Mushroom; National Training Foundation; Natural Power, Inc.; New York Outward Bound; Newmont Mining Corp; Northeast Georgia Health Syst.; Okanogan County Counciling; Oliver Wine Company, Inc.; Oracle; Orion Telecommunications; Park Cheese Company, Inc.; PDM Bridge; Peninsular Realty, Inc.; Pinnacle Marketing LLC; Prospect Transportation; Prudential Securities; Roto-Rooter; Solaray Corporation; Southwestern Bell; STAT Health Services, Inc.; Supershuttle; Teleglobe; The Ministry of Education; UNC Hospitals; Unipress; US Immigration & Naturalization; VA Medical Center; Valleyfair; Washington Post; Westaff; Windshield Pros; Win-River Casino Organization Size Small to mid-size companies. Public or Private Both. BRIEF COMPANY HISTORY AND BACKGROUND How long they have been in business Have been developing software solutions since 1991. Background of owners Not available. Circumstances surrounding the start of business Not available. Significant Events in its history Developed software for companies like Intuit Inc., publisher of QuickBooks®, Entrepreneur Media, Inc., publisher of Entrepreneur® magazine, and Individual Software, publisher of Resume Maker®. In addition to Staff Files, the popular HRIS and HRMS, offer several other software titles to streamline business tasks. PRIMARY FOCUS OF OPERATIONS Organization strategy -As a leading developer of easy-to-learn, easy-to-use, and affordable human resource software and business management software. -Every ABS software title is designed and built with one goal in mind: to save time and make life easier! Mission To provide exceptional small business software, customer service and support that will enhance the productivity of the customers. IV. Name of Organization : Ascentis Corporation Address : PO Box 53330, Bellevue WA 98015 Web Site : http://www.ascentis.com/ PRODUCT DESCRIPTION HROffice HROffice is a human resources management system (HRMS) for small to mid-sized organizations. HROffice Employee Self-Service HROffice Employee Self-Service (ESS) gives employees immediate access to all their personal HR, benefits, and payroll information via the web. Alerts Overwhelming workloads, uncompleted to-do lists, lengthy task bars, overwhelming project reports, missed meeting notices, late appointment reminders, and the list goes on. Staffing Solutions - Applicant Manager HROffice’s Applicant Manager streamlines the new hire process and makes it easy to manage contending candidates. Payroll Connect With Ascentis Software’s HROffice® Payroll Connect™, HR departments are granted greater payroll independence and can easily connect to one of the many industry leading payroll solutions on the market today, without replacing their HRMS systems. HROfficeASP™ HROfficeASP™ is available for customers who want the simplicity, ease-of-use and comprehensive HR and benefits management capability of HROffice without the day-to-day maintenance of an application and database management, computers, networks and so on. SERVICES DESCRIPTION Carrier Connect Carrier connectivity is a very complicated process and very few systems provide "true" connectivity. Employee Tracking Software – Staffing Solutions HROffice Advanced Reporting Services and the powerful functionality of Crystal Reports® allow you to perform true workplace analysis on the wealth of employee information you have stored in HROffice. Business Intelligence Services Work with an Ascentis consultant and discover unique data analysis solutions built into the desktop tools you already use. CUSTOMER PROFILES Type of Customers Autism Society of North Carolina; Cancun Resort; City of Tracy, California; Culliton Brothers Limited; Diocese of Tucson; Entranco; ER-One; Experience Music Project; Fremont Bank; The Hylant Group; ISTA Pharmaceuticals; Kakivik Asset Management; Kibble & Prentice; King County District Court; The Pittsburgh Pirates; Pyramid Breweries; Rutan & Tucker, LLP; SumTotal Systems; Texas Municipal Power Agency; U.S. Congress; YMCA of the Rockies; Zen Center of San Francisco. Organization Size Small to mid-size companies. Public or Private Both. BRIEF COMPANY HISTORY AND BACKGROUND How long they have been in business Founded in 1994. Background of owners Benefits administration expert and two former Microsoft employees founded Ascentis and created the company’s flagship HRMS software - HROffice. Circumstances surrounding the start of business Not available. Significant Events in its history HROffice product line automates HR and benefits processes for small and mid-sized organizations nationwide. PRIMARY FOCUS OF OPERATIONS Organization strategy -Connect- integration and the eradication of paper. -Communicate - It’s the middle of an open enrolment period for your organization. -Control – by comparing enrolment to the generated claims, we will be able to save money for our clients. Mission Not available V. Name of Organization : Spectrum Human Resource Systems Corporation Address : 707 Seventeenth Street Suite 3800, Denver, Colorado 80202-3438 Web Site : http://www.spectrumhr.com/ PRODUCT DESCRIPTION iVantage® iVantage is the leading Web-native HR system. Providing total core HR functionality with robust reporting capabilities, iVantage can meet the unique needs of every HR department. HR professionals tout iVantage as the most intuitive HRIS on the market. HRVantage® HRVantage is our best-in-class LAN-based HR system. This complete HRIS contains more functionality and stronger reporting options than any other LAN-based system available. Small Business Offerings The needs of each small business are very different and the solution will vary depending on the functionality required. SERVICES DESCRIPTION Not Available Not available. CUSTOMER PROFILES Type of Customers Not available. Organization Size  Small to mid-size companies. Public or Private Both. BRIEF COMPANY HISTORY AND BACKGROUND How long they have been in business Founded in 1984. Background of owners Spectrum team is made up of bright, talented, creative, independent-thinking individuals who want to make a difference. Our core values, high standards of integrity, dedication to professional excellence, and commitment to achieving client enthusiasm are the common hallmark. Having fun, working in a mutually supportive manner, and enjoying what we do are also keys to our culture. Providing the vision and leadership for the Spectrum team is a highly experienced executive team. Circumstances surrounding the start of business Spectrum has emerged as an exclusive provider of best-in-class software solutions for HR management. With each new release by Spectrum, the latest computer technologies, including Microsoft®’s industry-standard technologies, have been taken advantage of thoroughly and aggressively. Internet and Intranet operational applications, as well as the ability to sync your HR information to your mobile devices, are now a part of Spectrum offerings. Spectrum's goal is to utilize the best technology available to develop solutions that meet the needs of the HR professional and the workforce management of mid-sized organizations world-wide. Over the years, Spectrum’s HR systems have been licensed to more than five thousand public and private sector companies throughout the United States and internationally. Spectrum clients range from small start-up companies to Global 100 companies. Spectrum is a client-centered, full-service organization providing complete systems and services solutions to meet the needs of its clients. In addition to providing a wide range of software capabilities, Spectrum is unique in providing the full range of in-house support services, including: System planning and implementation, Extensive training, System customizations, Data conversion and data transfer services, Systems consulting, and Hotline support. Significant Events in its history 1984 Founded by Jim and Nancy Spoor. 1985 Spectrum releases HR/2000 (DOS). 1986 Strategic Marketing Partnerships established with Bank of America, AETNA , BNA, and Pentabs. 1987 Strategic Partnerships established to provide translated and localized versions of Spectrum products internationally. 1992 Spectrum introduces HRVantage® (graphical) at Comdex along side the announcement of Microsoft Access. 1992 HR/Pay released. 1994 Spectrum Achieves Microsoft® Solution Provider Status. 1995 Spectrum launches HRVantage for Client/Server. 1996 Spectrum delivers TDVantage®. 1997 Spectrum achieves Microsoft Solution Provider Partner Status. 1997 Vantage Connect™ Module for HRVantage released (First employee self-service module on the market) 1999 Strategic Partnerships expand to 18 workforce partners. 1999 Spectrum launches iVantage®, first fully Web-operational HRIS. 2001 Spectrum becomes a Microsoft Certified Partner. 2002 Spectrum becomes a Crystal Decisions OEM. 2003 Spectrum’s iVantage Connect™ Module earns the Microsoft .NET Connected Status 2003 Ad Hoc Reporting (reporting over the Internet) released for iVantage in Version 3.3. 2004 Spectrum’s iVantage product one of the first in the world to be SQL 2000 certified. PRIMARY FOCUS OF OPERATIONS Organization strategy The right combination of functionality and reporting tools allows your Human Resource Information System to act as an additional person in your HR Department. Spectrum, pride themselves on providing you with such a tool. Products are designed to meet the needs of any organization. Created by HR professionals, these HR software products help eliminate many administrative duties, allowing you to focus on the employees and decisions in your organization which impact the bottom line. Mission To create and maintain client enthusiasm for Spectrum's human resource management systems and services. ENDNOTES 1 http://www.auxillium.com/ 2 http://www.ihrsoftware.com/ 3 http://www.staff-files.com/ 4 http://www.ascentis.com/ 5 http://www.spectrumhr.com/ WORKS CITED http://www.auxillium.com/ http://www.ihrsoftware.com/ http://www.staff-files.com/ http://www.ascentis.com/ http://www.spectrumhr.com/ Read More