By HR Brew Staff
less than 3 min read
Definition:
A human resources information system (HRIS) is a platform of record for a company’s HR and people data. They generally include basic tools that can help with employee transactions, compliance, and recordkeeping, but can be more comprehensive.
Why have an HRIS?
The HRIS is an unlock for HR departments, since employee records—and sometimes payroll, timekeeping, training, and other data—are stored in one centralized location. Many of these platforms also offer a bevy of analytics and data features, so leaders can make the best HR decisions for their company and their people. These systems generally operate in the cloud.
What are some examples of HRIS providers?
Leading HRIS providers include Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, and UKG. They offer different levels of customization and integrate with partner players. Sometimes the integrations help cover a poorly designed internal feature (it’s hard to do it all and do it all well).
What’s the difference between an HRIS and an HCM?
“HRIS” is sometimes used interchangeably with “HCM,” or human capital management, which, in many ways, is simply an evolution of how businesses and their HR departments think about talent and the workforce. George LaRocque, HR tech analyst and founder of WorkTech, told HR Brew that companies began to apply more value to talent after McKinsey coined the concept of the “war for talent” in the late 1990s and early 2000s. HCM platforms were, in some ways, a response to that, and evolved to expand on the offerings of traditional HRIS systems, from hire to exit. HCM platforms are often more comprehensive and offer more solutions across the employee lifecycle; some include an application tracking system (ATS), performance management tools, or a learning and development (L&D) module. Thought that was complicated? LaRocque also told HR Brew that, in addition to referring to the souped-up HRIS we know and love, HCM can also refer more broadly to the HR technology space as a category, so investors, developers and HR technologists might also be mentioning HCM in a completely different context.
Can you put HRIS into context?
As HR Brew previously reported, “...Workhelix’s task-based analysis can tap into a company’s HRIS or HCM platforms to run its analysis, but the models also rely on other data sources like LinkedIn and job postings.”
