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The Human Resources Software Handbook

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The Human Resources Software Handbook Evaluating Technology Solutions for Your Organization

Name: The Human Resources Software Handbook
Brand: Pfeiffer
SKU: 9781118336335
Price: 800.00 HKD
Availability: OutOfStock
Author: James G. Meade
ISBN: 9781118336335

By James G. Meade

Pfeiffer December 2011

Specifications

ISBN-13: 9781118336335
Publisher: Pfeiffer
Publication: December 2011
Format: Hardback , 400 pages
Jurisdiction: International ? Countri(es) for reference only

Details

The Human Resources Software Handbook is the essential resource written for HR professionals with little or no background in information technology. This book will be your hands-on guide for answering the most important software selection questions including:

Is this software company a sound business enterprise?
Will this product solve real HR problems?
Does the product have any hidden costs?
Have those who have purchased this product been happy with the results?

List of Figures, Tables, and Exhibits.

CD-ROM Contents.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

PART ONE: Getting Started.

1. A Few Key Questions.

Do I Even Need HR Technology?

Where Do I Start?

Do I Have to Go Through a "Process" Here?

How Much Is the Process Going to Cost?

How Do I Deal with Vendors?

How Long Is All This Going to Take?

"But I Don't Know Anything About Technology".

What Should I Do First?

Conclusion.

2. Knowing the Trends.

Social and Economic Trends.

Outsourcing the HR Function.

HR as a "Strategic Partner".

From Human Resources to Human Capital Management.

HR Becoming More Technically Savvy.

The Internet Becoming an Everyday Tool.

Conclusion.

3. Previewing HR Software.

Checking Out Features of Low-End Products.

Seeing What Mid-Market Products Offer.

What to Expect from a Specialty Product.

Looking Over Standard Data Fields.

Considering Reports.

Finding Vendors.

Conclusion.

4. Working with Consultants.

A Few Cautions About Consultants.

General Reasons for Turning to Consultants.

When to Turn to a Consultant.

Finding a Consultant.

Conclusion.

PART TWO: Collecting Your Facts.

5 Do You Need a Needs Assessment?

Systematically Defining Needs.

Sample Report.

Conclusion.

6. The RFP: RIP?

What to Put into an RFP.

Ten Common Errors in RFPs.

Ten Useful Guidelines for an RFP.

The Argument for a Short RFP.

Why You May Not Need an RFP.

Conclusion.

7. Scripting the Demo.

Why to Script the Demo.

What to Cover.

Avoiding Pitfalls.

Checking Out a Vendor?s Script.

Checking Out a Generic Sample Script.

Conclusion.

8. "Word on the Street": References.

Finding a List of References.

The Kind of References to Look For.

The Kinds of Questions to Ask.

A Few Cautions About Talking with Users.

Conclusion.

PART THREE: Moving Toward Implementation.

9. Preparing and Using a Selection Matrix.

The Matrix and How to Create It.

How It?s Used, and By Whom.

Pitfalls of the Selection Matrix.

Sample Selection Matrixes.

Conclusion.

10. Negotiating the Agreement.

Why to Have a Contract.

Whom to Include in Negotiations.

Key Negotiating Points.

Getting Down to It: Negotiating Price.

What Else to Include.

A Few Gotchas.

Conclusion.

11. Selling to Management.

Don't Just Report; Sell.

Emphasize Benefits, Benefits, Benefits.

Present the Results of Your Research.

Lightly Make the Case for ROI.

Conclusion.

12. Planning Implementation.

Setting Up a Project Team.

Setting the Schedule.

Preparing Your Computer Systems.

Training HR and Users.

Aligning Your Business Processes.

Testing the System.

Rolling It Out.

Checking Out a Sample Implementation Plan.

Conclusion.

PART FOUR: Looking Over the Low-End Market.

13. Selecting a Small HRIS Package.

Price.

Vendor Longevity.

Support.

Web or Windows.

Rent or Purchase.

Client/Server, PC/LAN, or Standalone.

Ease of Use.

Flexibility.

Scalability.

Compatibility with Payroll.

Reference Accounts.

Functionality.

Conclusion.

14. The Big Three in Low-End Software.

Common Traits.

!Trak-It HR.

People-Trak.

Abra.

Conclusion.

15. Other Low-End Players.

HRIS from Payroll Vendors.

Smaller Versions from Mid-Market HRIS Providers.

Web-Based "Rental" Solutions.

"Isn?t That Number Missing a Zero?".

Conclusion.

PART FIVE: Reviewing the Rest of the Market.

16. Mid-Market Main Players.

iVantage.

Genesys Enterprise Series.

UltiPro.

Abra Enterprise.

hrWindows.

Other Mid-Market Providers.

Conclusion.

17. Exploring Specialty Software.

Time and Attendance.

Compensation Planning.

Succession Planning.

Performance Review.

Benefits Management.

Pre-Employment Screening.

Skills Management.

Employee Self-Service.

Other Specialized HR Needs.

Conclusion.

18. The E-Recruiting Revolution.

Applicant Tracking and Automated Recruiting.

Rise of E-Recruiting.

Conclusion.

19. The Exclusive High End.

Trends at the Top.

The Big Three.

Other Aspirants.

A Cautious Perspective.

Conclusion.

20. Closing Thoughts.

Ambitious Undertaking.

High Stakes.

Streamlined Selection Process.

Risks.

Ongoing Rewards.

Appendix: Software Products Profiled in the Book.

References.

About the Author.

Index.

How to Use the CD-ROM.

About the Author

James G. Meade, Ph.D., is an author, human resource consultant, and magazine writer. He has written for HR Magazine since 1989 and as a consultant has advised companies of varying sizes in a wide variety of industries as they approached the HR software market, evaluated products, and reached a decision. He is the author of twenty-five books, most on computer and business topics, including several in the bestselling Dummies series. His own computer bestsellers have included Ami Pro for Dummies and Using PowerPoint.

Reviews

"The human resources field has long needed practical advice on the selection of HR software, and here is a book loaded with useful guidance. Unlike many other books that have appeared in recent years, it gives attention to the concerns of small and mid-sized firms, and it covers, not just human resource information systems, but the wide range of specialized HR software, as well. It gives clear explanations of the latest advances of technology, and addresses the numerous considerations, some very subtle, to take into account in acquiring HR software or software-based services. Unless you're going to hire a consultant to guide your selection process, you will find this book's assistance indispensable. I would recommend it to all readers of my HR software directories." (Richard B. Frantzreb, Editor / Publisher, Advanced Personnel Systems)

"Dr. Meade provides some convincing points for any HR department to consider..." (CharityChannel, November 21, 2003)

"The human resources field has long needed practical advice on the selection of HR software, and here is a book loaded with useful guidance. Unlike many other books that have appeared in recent years, it gives attention to the concerns of small and mid-sized firms, and it covers, not just human resource information systems, but the wide range of specialized HR software, as well. It gives clear explanations of the latest advances of technology, and addresses the numerous considerations, some very subtle, to take into account in acquiring HR software or software-based services. Unless you're going to hire a consultant to guide your selection process, you will find this book's assistance indispensable. I would recommend it to all readers of my HR software directories." —Richard B. Frantzreb, Editor/Publisher, Advanced Personnel Systems

"You need to become enlightened to make informed human resource software purchase decisions. By reading James Meade's book before setting budget and timeframe expectations with your company management regarding vendors, you will save months and thousands of dollars (and possibly even your career) by avoiding false starts and wrong turns. As a "navigator" just follow his maps to human resource information systems success!" —Rick Fletcher, founder, Hrchitect

"When it comes to trusting someone knowledgeable in the human resource information systems field, James Meade is the one to look to." —Bob Depner, regional manager, Tesseract Corporation

"Provides a well-marked roadmap for both technophobe and technophile human resource professionals to navigate the planning, selection, and negotiation process of choosing an HRIS solution. James Meade provides a bevy of real-world examples, as well as valuable information about many of the good (and bad) systems currently available." —Rebecca Johnson, vice president human capital management, Precept

"As most people know, the key to realizing lofty ROI expectations from an HR system investment is to start with a reasonable and forward-thinking model for optimizing the vendor selection process. This book is a comprehensive and insightful approach to HR software and vendor selection. It is obvious that Jim Meade's excellent reputation in this space is well-deserved." —Steven B. Goldberg, former head, HR Technology for four global investment banks and former vice president product strategy, PeopleSoft

"James Meade's combined knowledge of the HR world, the software world, and the marketing world—plus his wealth of personal contacts and helpful overall responsiveness—made him the ideal choice as the consultant we needed to penetrate the HR software market." —Dennis W. McCabe, vice president business development, Wavecrest Computers

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