Best HR Software for your Business

Every company requires HR software to manage its workforce and create simpler processes. While various HR systems are available, selecting the one that aligns with your requirements becomes crucial.

This guide will provide you with an in-depth understanding of HR software and assist you in selecting the best one for your business.

What is Human Resources (HR) Software?

Human Resources (HR) software is a platform that enables companies to create a streamlined process for their HR operations. The software mainly automates administrative tasks such as onboarding, hiring, payroll, and performance management.

HR software can be used by businesses of all sizes to help manage the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement. It typically includes features such as applicant tracking, employee self-service, time and attendance tracking, performance management, compensation management, and compliance tracking.

Why Does Your Business Needs HR Software?

A human resource management system is highly beneficial because it can free up a lot of human hours. HR solutions help to save employees time by neatly automating basic processes such as follows:

• Holiday allowance

• KPI/KRA tracking

• Absence tracking

• Events

• Training, etc.

The software also helps streamline processes to increase the overall productivity of employees and HR managers.

How Does the HR System Work?

HR software facilitates the management of various HR functions through information technology.

By automating manual and repetitive processes, an HRM tool seeks to increase the productivity and efficiency of the company. As a result, it saves lots of HR manager time.

HR system manages employee data, payroll, time, performance management, etc. These systems are intended to automate processes, increase efficiency, and provide real-time visibility into a company's operations.

1. Recruitment and Applicant Tracking: The right HR software can automate your recruitment process and help track applicants. You can post about job openings, schedule interviews, screen resumes, and also track candidates' progress.

2. Employee Onboarding: Onboarding is made simple with an effective HR system. Your team can automate the onboarding process, including compliance, paperwork, and orientation.

3. Employee Data Management: Employee data such as personal information, job history, salary information, and performance data can be stored and managed using HR systems.

4. Performance Management: HR systems can automate the performance management process, including goal setting, performance reviews, and performance improvement plans.

5. Learning and Development: Employee training is a crucial part of any company, and HR software makes it even simpler for you. Companies manage employee training and development, including course scheduling, tracking employee progress, and analyzing training effectiveness.

6. Compliance: You can ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, such as equal employment opportunity laws and labor laws when you adopt HR software.

What are the Benefits of HR Software?

1. Increased productivity

   Using appropriate HR software tools can reduce 40% of the time spent by HR personnel and the cost involved in various activities by reducing the need for paperwork and streamlining the process. Updating information becomes automated with instant reminders and notifications about compliance and productivity.

2. Reduced errors

   Paper-based methods are not entirely infallible; even one misplaced decimal point can cause financial and legal complications. Best HRM software can reduce errors by automating most processes and keeping everything working correctly.

3. Evaluation of metrics

   Review the business information periodically and upgrade the HR strategies based on the internal operation and the market. The metrics evaluation tools in free HR solution systems allow for accurate monitoring and issues, turnover rates, and costs that help design optimized business strategies with the help of data analytics and reporting.

4. Conquer geographical barriers

   HR systems enable worldwide communication and establish uniformity in processes for large companies with a global footprint. It helps in standardizing the organization leading to better consistency across geographies.

5. Increased performance management

   The best HR solution providers in India help track employees' skills and performance. It helps in decision-making while arranging new training and skill development programs for the employees based on their current standing and the company's needs.

   Software for HR management helps evaluate performance and provides regular feedback and advice. We utilize human capital better when all the information is available in one space; HR professionals can also devote their time to better endeavors that will benefit the organization.

What are the Features of HR Software?

There are different human resources software available on the market. Businesses can opt for the most suitable software for hr management based on the size, nature, and type of enterprise. They can also customize an online software solution according to their requirements.

Whether customized or readymade, business heads must look for the following dynamic features and modules within their software.

1. Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

   ATS is one of the most crucial features of HR software. This helps create a centralized hiring process- connecting with potential candidates to onboard them. Moreover, this feature allows businesses to save on time-consuming tasks by automating them. It also allows HR managers to track the progress of each candidate through the recruitment process, helping to ensure that the organization hires the best candidate for the job.

2. Centralized Database

   A robust centralized database is essential to efficient HR management solutions. It is the pillar on which the entire HR software system fetches data and provides accurate information.

   Regardless of any organization, the centralized employee database must have a complete list of all present and past employees and necessary information, including their address, personal contact number, work experience, years in the current company, etc.

3. Recruitment

   A recruitment module will simplify the hiring procedures and improve the hiring entity and the prospective candidates. This feature allows recruiters to find the right talent and avoid major mistakes during online recruitment approaches.

   This dynamic component provides a complete solution from internal form-filling to online tracking of applicants. Organizations can also develop a "talent pool" to enhance their reach to the most appropriate candidates and bring them into the designated profile.

4. Onboarding

   After recruiting comes onboarding, i.e., introducing the new joiners to the organization.

   An onboarding feature in online HR software in India helps HR smoothen the recruit's onboarding process. An HR can easily share company resources, create user accounts, and walk them through the company culture with the help of an HR system.

   At the same time, recruits can use this module to introduce themselves to the enterprise or concerned departments.

5. Learning Management System (LMS)

   An LMS is a feature that allows companies to train their employees through different training programs. You can create customized training courses, track your employee's progress, and analyze these programs' effectiveness. This entire process is implemented online; hence, it doesn't require any infrastructural expenses, making it cost-effective.

6. Attendance and Leaves

   The attendance and leave management module in cloud-based HR software makes it easy to track employee hours, including entry and exit time and system login. In addition, employees can directly send leave requests from the HR portal and approve them.

   And most importantly, HR managers can also track the status of leave requests – approved, rejected, and pending approval. Thus, they can maintain computerized employee records of attendance and leaves of all employees.

   Having all data in one place makes it easy to calculate accurate payroll and make payments on time.

7. Payroll

   Conventional payment processes are tedious, time-consuming, and require substantial paperwork. The HR department can use the attendance and leave module data to ease payroll processing.

   By fetching system-generated entry and exit time and the number of days employees were present in the organization, the payroll module maximizes the potential of HR managers. In addition, the human resources software ensures that all employees are paid on time and accurately.

8. Performance Management

   The performance management module keeps track of your employees'' activities and helps determine their contribution to the overall organizational growth. This module helps provide continuous feedback, goal setting, and conducting the appraisal process.

   Business heads can set targets for employees, track their progress towards achieving the predetermined objectives, and score them.

9. Talent Management

   This innovative module in the HCM system software helps organizational leaders identify employees' specialized skills and proficiencies and assign suitable job roles. Moreover, you can combine it with performance management to understand an employee's expertise.

10. Training and Development

    Training, learning, and development are part of the work schedule. Companies can use the learning and development modules to plan staff training sessions based on employee performance analysis. Employees can access learning materials and training courses, improving their professional knowledge through this dynamic feature.

    This procedure can further continue real-time evaluation and feedback by the reporting heads.

11. Analytics and Reports

    Reports are crucial for companies, especially when managing a massive workforce. You can track and analyze employee data, compensation, performance metrics, and turnover rates with actionable insights.

    This enables companies to make data-driven decisions about talent management and other HR-related matters. Based on the data, managers can optimize existing strategies for improved outcomes.

12. HR Helpdesk and Ticketing System

    Every organization needs a ticketing system to create a simpler process for raising any issues that must be resolved. With a centralized HR helpdesk, all your employees can submit requests for any problem they have encountered. The concerned team member can be delegated the task based on the request.

    This helps to improve employee satisfaction and engagement by providing a streamlined and user-friendly system for requesting HR support.

How to Choose the Right HR Software?

While choosing any HR software, setting criteria to help you find the software based on your specific requirements is crucial. While there are so many available HR systems in the market, you can easily find the right one by making the right comparison.

1. Determine your needs

   Every company has different requirements when it comes to selecting software. Moreover, the selection process also depends on the number of employees, the size of the organization, and the HR process you want to streamline. Therefore, you must first analyze your requirement, find the loopholes, and define the criteria.

2. Ease of use

   In your company, not every employee will be tech aware. To avoid confusion, you should look for software that is simple to use. So that the team can easily traverse it, the user interface should be accessible. Hence, instead of the other way around, select software that minimizes the work of your crew.

3. Scalability

   Selecting software for HR that scales with your business is necessary. Thus, ask the support staff if they offer enhanced versions of features or not. This might assist you in selecting the appropriate HR systems.

4. Features and functionalities

   You should compare the features and functionalities of the HR software while contrasting various HR systems. Payroll processing, performance management, benefits administration, and employee data management are key elements to check for. Tracking applicants, onboarding, time and attendance, and training and development management are other capabilities.

5. Cost

   Cost is an important consideration when choosing HR software providers. Consider the upfront cost of purchasing the software and ongoing maintenance fees, upgrades, and training. Look for software that offers good value for money and aligns with your budget.

6. Customer support

   Lastly, pick HR software platform with top-notch customer support. To ensure that your staff can utilize the software efficiently, the vendor should offer to continue technical support and customer care. Choose vendors with extensive help centers, training materials, and customer assistance available around the clock.

List of The 5 Best HR Software

To help you find the right HR software solution, here is a list of the top 5 software that you can consider. Compare them based on their features, pros and cons, USP, and pricing.

1. Zoho People

   Zoho People is a cloud-based HR software in India with a polished payroll process. Thus, helping you manage employees' onboarding, leave and attendance, and documentation.

   HR and payroll management departments share a lot in common. But, when these systems can collaborate, you might spend up populating the same information in multiple systems. Zoho brings you the power of a robust payroll and HR management solution.

   You can easily keep track of recorded department transfers, designation upgrades, and work location changes, and that too, without any manual intervention. In addition, Zoho offers easy Integration with biometric devices. This will help you capture your employees' right clock-in and clock-out times.

   

   Key Features

   • Performance management

   • Time and attendance management

   • Onboarding and Recruitment

   • Payroll management

   • Reports and analytics

   Zoho People Pros

   • Branded resumes and pre-defined templates

   • The organized and efficient workflow structure

   • It lets you create vendor portals

   Zoho People Cons

   • Limited customization options

   Zoho People USP

   This HR solution allows you to parse 50 resumes at a time.

   Zoho People Pricing

   The pricing starts at $1.5 per month.

   User Reviews

   Zoho People has greatly helped attendance management, performance review, and leave tracking. It also helps a lot in human resource management. - Fadak M.

2. Keka

   Keka human resources software or management platform helps you automate basic and monotonous payroll and HR tasks. Thus, your HR teams can do their jobs faster, better, and more precisely. Considered one of the top HR software in India.

   You can easily streamline your payroll processes and manage your employees more effectively. Moreover, you can even customize the payroll system to meet your company's specific needs and demands. So, what's unique about it? Even after all the customization, it would still be 100% compliant with industry standards.

   

   Key Features

   • Payroll management

   • Employee self-service

   • Learning and development

   • Benefits management

   • Performance management

   • Onboarding and offboarding

   Keka Pros

   • Employee Referrals

   • Quick and Accurate Candidate Search

   • Ease of Integration

   • Easy Communication

   • Social Media Recruiting

   Keka Cons

   • Difficult to navigate through payroll information

   • Priced higher than its competitors

   Keka USP

   Integrates every aspect of employee time tracking, from scheduling shifts, overtime, helpdesk, and payroll.

   Keka Pricing

   Keka Hire starts at $20 per month per recruiter.

   User Reviews

   Keka is the only platform that lets you set traditional goals and define a modern top-down goal-setting approach. OKRs are aligned to ensure that each employee moves in the same direction with clear objectives and rhythm. -Barkat U.

3. BambooHR

   BambooHR is a SaaS-based HR software solution for small and medium-sized companies with outgrown spreadsheets. It lets you centralize all employee information in one location. Thus, making it easier for HR managers to track employee data. Moreover, you can also follow employee benefits, job, performance, and salary history. You can even customize fields to track other data.

   BambooHR also has a reporting functionality that lets you create and share reports quickly. You can even use the report library to select pre-built reports and create custom-built reports for sharing. These reports take only a few clicks and can save time on HR. In addition, it comes with an integrated applicant tracking system that can help recruiters access candidate resumes and LinkedIn Profiles. They can even post jobs and share candidates' data with hiring managers.

   

   Key Features

   • Time and attendance management

   • Employee database

   • Performance management

   • Custom workflows

   • Mobile app

   BambooHR Pros

   • Easy hiring and employee management

   • Provides role-based access to information

   • Performance analysis on a six-monthly and yearly basis

   • Provision for equal employment opportunities and benefit reports

   BambooHR Cons

   • Intended only for small and medium-sized businesses

   • No offline mode

   BambooHR USP

   It is relatively priced lower than its competitors and offers high data encryption.

   BambooHR Pricing

   Custom pricing.

   User Reviews

   Bamboo HR makes it easy for teams to manage all HR tasks. If I need to submit a time off request, find important HR documentation for review, or manage my team's PTO requests. Bamboo makes it extremely easy to do so. They also offer responsive customer support. I have no complaints. - Ben S.

4. Freshteam

   Freshteam is the best HR software for small businesses that lets you find, engage, and hire great talent without the hassle of juggling through inboxes. You can easily manage job postings, source employee referrals, and engage with candidates from a single HRMS software.

   Freshteam can also display a list of open positions on any website. Not only this, but Freshworks also maintains a complete record of each candidate. This includes their interview feedback, resume, emails, and timeline of interactions with the hiring team.

   Its deduplication feature ensures that no matter the times a candidate applies, only one profile is maintained in the system. As a result, Freshteam helps everyone on your team stay updated. It even sends email notifications to the hiring team whenever a new application comes in, or a candidate is rejected.

   

   Key Features

   • Applicant tracking

   • Time management

   • Learning and development

   • Employee database

   • Customizable workflows

   • Analytics

   • Mobile application

   Freshteam Pros

   • Managing talent acquisition

   • Resume parsing & interview scheduling

   • Candidate retargeting

   Freshteam Cons

   • No customization of the vendor portal

   • Complicated blueprinting process

   Freshteam USP

   Free for up to 50 users.

   Freshteam Pricing

   The pricing starts at $1 per employee, and the platform fee is $59 monthly.

   User Reviews

   Overall experience with this software was quite good. It gave me a good idea of how to grow my business efficiently via online platforms. Plus it handles all the queries of its users quite efficiently though the replying time can be reduced significantly. - Pragun B.

5. GreytHR

   greytHR is the top HR software in India that has been designed to reduce the effort of HR, empower employee self-service and save both cost & time. Served 9000+ businesses across 150+ cities. greytHR can automate essential HR tasks such as leave, payroll management, and attendance tracking.

   greytHR is the one-stop solution for all your business's HR needs & requirements. It also offers exceptional support for the transitioning phase, full-fledged customer support, and HR and payroll executives'' guidance.

   

   Key Features

   • Leave management

   • Compliance management

   • Employee database

   • Performance management

   • Employee self-service

   • Mobile app

   • Customizable workflows

   greytHR Pros

   • Supports quick salary processing

   • Streamlines communication

   • Offers 120+ readymade and standard reports for vast usage

   greytHR Cons

   • Poor ticketing system

   • Frequent logging error

   • Complicated UX

   greytHR USP

   Offers 100% statutory compliance.

   GreytHR Pricing

   The starter plan is free. The growth plan starts at Rs. 3,495 per month.

   User Reviews

   We use the greytHR app to manage all our employees from attendance, leaves, salary, and onboarding. The mobile app is a bit buggy and can be improved. The user interface is easy to use. - Siddhant J.

What Factors to Keep in Mind While Implementing HRM Software?

Below are some crucial factors you should consider while implementing an HR solution. These factors can make or break the whole objective of the implementation.

1. The Possibility of Identity Theft

   There is a minor possibility of potential ambiguity, misrepresentation of facts, or ''identity theft'' as one may call it. For example, there is a possibility that a ''fake'' candidate may make it to the top without actually possessing the right skills for a particular profile.

2. Technical Glitches

   Some technical glitches may arise during the deployment process of the HR software. The software may not comply with the respective third-party services installed in the system.

3. Security Issues

   Even though most HRIS software is highly secure, If not certified cannot be trusted regarding Data Privacy and Security, implementing low-quality software makes the whole data, including candidate applications, vulnerable to hacking and cyberattacks.

   The HR system is inclusive and definitive of various processes and management techniques. It also provides effective automation strategies for organizations on the whole. However, integrating suitable HR management software with your business operations elevates your business levels and streamlines solutions for your organizational workflows.

How Much Does HR Software Cost?

HR software prices might vary greatly depending on the business's features, functionality, and size. HR software typically has various pricing options, including subscription-based, per-employee, and one-time license fees. Some companies that sell HR software provide a free trial or a freemium version with constrained functionalities.

Basic HR software functions like managing employee databases, leave requests, and time tracking can cost anywhere from $4 and $15 per employee each month. The price can vary from $10 to $30 per employee per month for more advanced features, including applicant monitoring, performance management, and payroll management.

How can AI Help Improve HR Operations?

Artificial intelligence technology is redefining modern paradigms of operating businesses. This tool automates and successfully achieves most low-value functions so that the workforce can focus on strategically improving the scope of work.

AI-based HR software allows companies to automate repetitive administrative tasks. By integrating AI with the human resource department, companies can enhance their workforce and candidates'' experience.

For example, companies can simplify the onboarding process for all the new joiners with AI-integrated software for HR management. AI also helps the HR department analyze all the resources and their skillset. The tool further helps them recommend a training module based on each employee's role.

• AI integration plays a crucial role in the following activities:

• HR Strategy

• Employee management

• Analysis of company policies and practices

• Manage payrolls and more

An IT-integrated HR system can automate the workforce and investigate strategies and corporate compliance.

Usability of HR Software in the Current Market

If you’re contemplating whether HR software is still effective, here are the ways HR software is currently utilized.

1. HR software saves time

   The most significant benefit of HR tools is freeing up time. Companies can automate time-consuming people management tasks to spend more time on essential business-driving activities.

   Organizations can automate basic processes such as holiday allowance, absence tracking, and training with software for HR management. As a result, HR personnel can put their heads together for more essential tasks than simply worrying about processing a cabinet full of leaves, insurance applications, and other such requirements.

2. Quick accessibility

   Everything you want with HR tools is readily available in just one place. You won't have to memorize complex codes or carry many files and closely look through them to fetch any details.

   You won't have to worry about explicitly logging into the company network from within the premises to retrieve information. Any HR solution can easily be accessed from multiple locations. Due to this, companies can also have a remote team.

   With readily available data, it becomes easier for the organization to make quick decisions. In addition, with sophisticated HR solutions, you can analytics and solve problems.

3. Makes employee development easier

   Employee development is necessary to ensure the long-term success of any business. Organizing training programs for your employees can help you build a skilled and effective workforce, thereby helping you boost employee retention. In addition, since you keep your employees engaged, there's very little chance they will leave for another job.

   Human resource management software helps you keep track of employee development. The team can also use the system to log performance reviews, organize training courses, clear objectives and qualifications, etc. In addition, with the best HR software, managers will always be aware of conducting one-on-ones with their team members, further translating into more meaningful coaching conversations.

4. Human resource management software is secure.

   A decade ago, recruitment and other vital processes involved filing cabinets with many files. Unfortunately, many SMEs keep sensitive employee data in a physical file. However, human resource software offers improved security features allowing you to comply with GDPR.

   Cloud-based HR solution seamlessly protects employee data from physical disasters like theft. In addition, organizations can access data securely from anywhere using their computer or mobile devices.

   It gives a complete document management solution and maintains logs on who viewed the data. Such top HR platforms also increase productivity and reduce excess paperwork. An HR tool can easily search for old documents, policies, staff handbooks, and training manuals.

5. Monitor leave and sickness requests easily.

   A small HR team may not have enough time to deal with problems related to sickness, absences, a rush of annual leave requests, etc. With a dedicated human resource system, HR teams understand the background behind each lack and set up an accessible holiday planning system.

   The best HR software in India helps to keep track of remaining leave and calculate pro-rata entitlements, and software for HR helps you manage holiday requests. With human resource solutions in place, employees can request holidays anytime.

Future Trends in HR Software

1. Cloud-based HR software

   Several companies quickly adopted working from home even before the pandemic hit; however, few companies offered a decent work-from-home policy. Therefore, cloud-based HR software providers are more in demand than traditional HR systems.

2. AI and Machine Learning

   AI and ML are already used in HR software to automate routine tasks, such as resume screening and scheduling interviews. In the future, we expect these technologies to be used more extensively for predictive analytics and personalized employee experiences.

3. Effortless services

   Today's HR transformations focus on HR teams as being self-service departments. Consequently, both digitization and automation ensure that HR professional can maximize their efficiency.

   Keeping paper records of employees is a thing of the past now. Imagine how much time HR professionals may waste when hunting through all the paperwork! And how frustrating would it be to lose a single piece of paper, a contract?

   Therefore, it is essential to transition to effortless shared services, such as HR tools, to improve employee experience and increase customization on the HR front.

4. Gamification

   Gamification is using game-like components, including leaderboards, points, and badges, to entice participation and motivate staff members. Gamification can be applied to performance management, employee engagement, and training and development in HR software.

5. Predictive analysis

   Using data, statistical algorithms, and machine learning approaches, predictive analytics determines the likelihood of future outcomes based on historical data. Predictive analytics in HR software can be applied to hiring, workforce planning, and employee engagement.

   Want to learn more trends? These are the latest HR technology trends that most companies are following.

Conclusion

HR software provides businesses with a comprehensive solution for managing their HR processes effectively. From recruitment and onboarding to performance management and payroll, HR software offers numerous benefits, such as increased accuracy, improved compliance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

The ability to automate tasks, provide self-service portals for employees, and generate reports in real-time can streamline HR processes, reduce administrative burdens, and free up time for businesses to focus on strategic initiatives. So, ensure you compare different HR systems and make the right decision.

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