Madras School of Social Work

Emerging Trends in HRIS

Assignment

Moses Avinash Andrews 4/3/2013 MHOD/11/15

1.1. Emerging Trends in HRIS

1.2. Computer Based Training and E-Learning

Computer Based Training is a method for using computers and multimedia to train personnel, located anywhere, on almost any subject. CBT encompasses e-Learning. e-Learning usually refers to training provided over the Internet or internal network. e-Learning courses can be instructor lead and/or self-study.

Anything that can be communicated using text, multimedia (graphics, color, sound, animation, & video) and interactive response techniques is a candidate for CBT and/or eLearning.

1.2.1. Benefits of E-Learning & Computer based Training

1.2.1.1.

Increased access

Instructors of the highest calibre can share their knowledge across borders, allowing students to attend courses across physical, political, and economic boundaries. Recognized experts have the opportunity of making information available internationally, to anyone interested at minimum costs. For example, the MIT OpenCourseWare program has made substantial portions of that university's curriculum and lectures available for free online.

2.

Convenience and flexibility to learners

In many contexts, e-Learning is self-paced and the learning sessions are available 24x7. Learners are not bound to a specific day/time to physically attend classes. They can also pause learning sessions at their convenience. High technology is not necessary for all online courses. Basic internet access, audio, and video capabilities
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are common requirements. Depending on the technology used, students can begin their courses while at work and finish those at an alternate internet equipped location.

3.

Skill Development

To develop the skills and competencies needed in the 21stcentury, in particular to ensure that learners have the digital literacy skills required in their discipline, profession or career. Bates states that a major argument for -Learning is that it enables learners to develop essential skills for knowledge-based workers by embedding the use of information and communications technologies within the curriculum. He also argues that using e-Learning in this way has major implications for course design and the assessment of learners.

1.3. Knowledge Forums

HR can use Knowledge forums as a means of collaborative learning with an organization. This allows personnel in coming to a deeper understanding through interactive questioning, dialogue, and continuing improvement and sharing of ideas.

1.3.1. Benefits of Knowledge Forums

1.3.1.1. Any number of individuals and groups can be involved 1.3.1.2. People can share information, launch collaborative investigations, and

build networks of new ideas together

1.4. Learning Management Systems A learning management system is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training programs, classroom and online events, elearning programs, and training content.

1.4.1. Learning Management Systems

1.4.1.1. Centralize and automate administration 1.4.1.2. Use self-service and self-guided services 1.4.1.3. Assemble and deliver learning content rapidly 1.4.1.4. Consolidate training initiatives on a scalable web-based platform 1.4.1.5. Support portability and standards 1.4.1.6. Personalize content and enable knowledge reuse.

1.5. Employee Self Service Portals

This is a powerful tool providing employees the ability to view and update personal information via the web without having to go through the HR staff. The functionality of this module spans through the entire system, making information available anywhere, anytime. All information is subject to company defined security policy, allowing the employees to view only the information they are authorized to view.

These can be either be through an Intranet, with access to those with Intranet access, or through separate terminals.

1.5.1. Benefits of Employee Self Service Portals

1. Improving efficiency by enabling employees to help themselves

Self-service portals make it easier and faster for employees to answer questions and help themselves. This includes everything from simple activities such as updating personal information to more complicated tasks involving collaborative workflow and processes.

2. Reducing costs by minimizing the need for higher-cost service channels

By using an employee self-service portal, employees no longer have to rely on highercost service channels, such as the telephone and e-mail, to find answers and accomplish tasks.

3. Defining and then meeting expectations

Employees want to be both efficient and self-sufficient. They expect employers to provide them with self-service capabilities. With an employee self-service portal, you can give your people an intuitive user experience, with explicitly outlined company policies and checklists. For example, HR can spell out which activities and information employees have access to based on defined rolesand as a result, can clearly explain procedures and company policy.

4. Usability features Easy navigation to information, applications and other people, via an interface with a familiar, intuitive look and feel. Role-based information and content to help users make faster, more informed decisions with information thats tailored to their roles or needs.
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 Single sign-on access to multiple service areas (for example, HR, purchasing, payroll and sales) to save time while helping to ensure security. 1.6. Business Intelligence

Business intelligence (BI) refers to computer-based techniques used in spotting, digging-out, and analyzing business data. BI technologies can be used by HR to provide historical, current, and predictive views in HRM. Business Intelligence often aims to support better decision-making.

Common functions of Business Intelligence technologies are:

Predictive analytics Online analytical processing Analytics Data mining Benchmarking etc

1.6.1. Benefits of Business Intelligence

1. Alignment of an organisation around a consistent set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Metrics 2. Quicker, fact-based decision making 3. Simplified graphical presentation of KPIs and metrics 4. Reliable presentation of information (One version of the truth)
5. Can use a combination of multiple data sources (ERP, Spreadsheets, Budgets, etc)

6. Faster collection and dissemination of information

1.7. Virtualization

Virtualization is a broad term that refers to the abstraction of computer resources. Virtualization lets one computer do the job of multiple computers, by sharing the resources of a single computer across multiple environments. There are many forms for virtualization:

Platform virtualizationSeparation of an operating system from the underlying platform resources.

Resource virtualizationVirtualization of specific system resources, such as storage volumes, name spaces, and network resources.

Application virtualizationHosting of individual applications on alien hardware/software.

Desktop virtualizationRemote manipulation of a computer desktop.

The most common implementation of virtualization to date supports the following business scenarios: consolidation (primary objective); business continuity/disaster recovery; test and development; and security. However, virtualization is much more than simply consolidating physical servers and cutting data-center costs. The technology has far-reaching impacts, from optimum resource utilization at one end to substantial savings in energy, power, and management costs at the other.

1.7.1. Benefits of Virtualization

1.7.1.1.

Reduced operating and capital costs

2. Increased space utilization efficiency of the data center.

3. Improved utilization of computing resources 4. Greater flexibility and technological agility

5. By having each application within its own "virtual server", the likelihood of one

application from impacting another application when upgrades or changes are made can be prevented.
6. Can be used to develop a standard virtual server build that can be easily duplicated

which will speed up server deployment

7. Can deploy multiple operating system technologies on a single hardware platform

(i.e. Windows Server 2003, Linux, Windows 2000, etc).

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References
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Carraro, G., & Chong, F. (2006), Software as a Service (SaaS): An Enterprise Perspective, Retrieved on the 25 of August from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa905332.aspx

Edmonds, R. (n.d.), The Benefits of Business Intelligence, Retrieved on the 27th of August from http://www.excellence-leadership.com/microsites/altimus/Benefits%20of%20Business %20Intelligence.pdf Ferguson, D.F, Pilarinos, D., & Shewchuk, J. (n.d.), The Internet Service Bus, The Architecture Journal, Journal 13, Retrieved on the 26 of August from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/architecture/bb906065.aspx Fuller, C. (2009), The Benefits of Learning Management Systems to a Business, Retrieved on the 27th of August from http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Learning-Management-Systemsto-a-Business&id=2928490 Sangwell, Kevin (n.d.), Implications of Software + Services Consumption for Enterprise IT, The Architecture Journal, Journal 13, Retrieved on the 26 of August from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/architecture/bb906061.aspx Software as a Service (n.d.), Retrieved on the 26 of August from http://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid201_gci1170781,00.html Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Reality (n.d.), Retrieved on the 27 of August from http://www.online-crm.com/saas_advantages_disadvantages.htm Software as a Service (2008), Retrieved on the 27 of August from http://www.hroassociation.org/file/4035/software-as-a-service-.html Singh, R. (2008), Virtualization: Fueling Green Data Centers, Retrieved on the 27th of August from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd347164.aspx
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Vanden Plas, J. (2007), Pitching virtualization: Benefits go far beyond cost cutting, Retrieved on the 27th of August from http://wistechnology.com/articles/4226/