HR 101: What Is a Human Resource Information System (HRIS)?

As technology advances, human resources teams have more and more tools at their fingertips. At the core of many modern solutions is a system that helps administrators manage key HR processes and functions, often referred to as HRIS.

A major contributor to larger human capital management (HCM) initiatives, HRIS software combines the innovations of information technology (IT) with HR practices to make storing and retrieving employee information easier.

What Does HRIS Stand for?

HRIS stands for human resource information systems. Essentially, it is a software application that stores employee information and digitally supports traditional HR functions like payroll, recruiting, and training.

Acting as digital record-keepers, HRIS platforms replace physical file cabinets full of personnel records with a streamlined database that is easily accessed and updated. These systems can automate required processes, such as I-9 verification, and allow users to quickly update their direct deposit information, benefits elections, etc.

HRIS vs. HRMS vs. HCM

The terms HRIS, human resource management systems (HRMS), and human capital management (HCM) are often used interchangeably. However, there are some differences.

• HRIS: Traditionally focused on administrative tasks, such as completing payroll processing or maintaining compliance, some HRIS have more recently added functionality to address other talent management needs like performance reviews or recruiting.
• HRMS: Originally created to fill the gaps in HRIS technology and focus on people management tasks. HRIS platforms have evolved to include some of this functionality, so there is a lot of overlap today between the two types of systems.
• HCM: Both HRIS and HRMS fit under the concept of human capital management (HCM). This is the broader, strategic approach to acquiring, managing, and developing employees throughout the employee lifecycle. With a grander scope, range of subjects, and depth of impacts, HCM leverages integrated technology to enable a comprehensive talent strategy. Combined correctly with HRIS and HRMS, these systems can work together like pieces of an engine to drive an organization’s success.

Read More: HCM vs. HRIS vs. HRMS: What Are the Differences?

Key Functions of HRIS Software

As a suite of tools, HRIS software often contains a robust set of features that facilitate core HR administrative duties. You’ll likely find an HR information system that includes at least some of the following functions:

• Payroll – Payroll processing, managing payroll taxes, wage garnishment, and more.
• Core HR – Essential HR functions, documentation management, employee self-service portals, HR workflows, and compliance monitoring.
• Benefits administration – Services that help your employees receive benefits, including open enrollment, and interface with third-party benefit services.
• Employee time tracking and scheduling – Employee shift and scheduling management, which often funnels directly into the payroll system.
• Talent management – Automation and assistance with critical tasks throughout all stages of the employee lifecycle, from recruiting to onboarding and employee development.
• HR analytics – Less frequently, HRIS systems have some amount of reporting capabilities to monitor key HR metrics. More advanced tools may even use AI to help generate customized insights.
• Employee experience tools – A more modern HRIS includes functions to enhance the employee experience, including peer-to-peer recognition, employee surveys, and social collaboration hubs.

Regardless of how many possible features are available, a quality HRIS should be able to provide flexible options that include only the most necessary tools based on an individual organization's unique needs.

Benefits of HRIS & Payroll Software

Using HRIS and payroll software has many advantages over piecing together legacy systems. These include streamlining your existing processes with automation and ensuring compliance with all regulations even as they are updated.

Many systems can also assist with high-level analytics and strategy, empowering you to make better-informed planning and leadership decisions.

Streamlined Data & Processes

At its core, an HRIS is intended to help manage employee information within an organization’s defined structure or hierarchy. It does this by streamlining the entry, storage, and access to multiple types of data, including:

• Applicant and candidate recruiting data
• New hire onboarding data
• Employee compensation and benefits information
• Time off and attendance information

Automation and Accuracy

The ability to automate tasks also saves time for HR teams, freeing them to focus on strategic initiatives that matter. Automation also reduces the risk of human error by reducing manual data entry.

Most HRIS systems will include self-service portals that enable employees to log in, update, and verify information themselves. Some also offer mobile app versions of the tools.

Read More: HR Automation Explained: Advantages, Challenges & Examples

Improved Compliance

There are many compliance benefits to having a solid system of record in place, where employees can easily find completed training courses, governmental forms, and employment agreements in case of an audit. Another compliance benefit of using HRIS is faster and easier distribution of updated policies to all employees.

Enabling HR as a Strategic Partner

Some HRIS platforms also include features for building, running, and analyzing reports based on the data they maintain, but this is a less common offering compared to HCM solutions. The systems that offer reporting and analysis features can provide HR teams with valuable real-time data that can aid overall HR planning and strategy.

Why Are HRIS Solutions Important?

HRIS solutions are crucial for modern organizations to maintain efficient and accurate operations. An HRIS can reduce manual administrative burden and automate workflows, while more advanced platforms also enhance the way teams interact with each other through employee experience capabilities. These tools enable HR teams to spend more time on strategic initiatives that build culture and community throughout their organization.

As demonstrated by Amazon, not having a unified, integrated HR information system in place can lead to disaster. Organizations of all sizes should carefully assess gaps and risks in their legacy software and select the platform that will meet workforce needs today and in the future to realize the full benefits of an HR technology investment.

Read More: Benefits of HRIS Systems

Examples of HRIS Systems

There are several different options when it comes to HRIS systems. The one you choose will generally depend on what purpose you have in mind. Do you have specific day-to-day operational requirements? What tactical and strategic talent management gaps do you want to address?

Specially tailored HR solutions will always give you the best bang for your buck. With that in mind, here are the five main types of HRIS systems.

Operational HRIS

If you’re primarily focused on finding a system that can handle day-to-day HR processes, you probably want to consider an Operational HRIS. It assists with everyday personnel management tasks such as conducting staff appraisals, updating employment benefit records, and recording promotions or interdepartmental moves. An Operational HRIS platform works for streamlining standard HR functions so managers can spend less time on mundane, repetitive HR-related activities.

Tactical HRIS

Tactical HRIS helps organizations optimize resources. This kind of system can help inform decisions about recruitment, onboarding, employee training and development, and more.

One advantage of a tactical system is that they process data within your organization’s business context. Subsequently, a Tactical HRIS can keep you up to date on relevant legislation and competitor performance.

Strategic HRIS

Many organizations benefit from using a Strategic HRIS. This type of system emphasizes higher-level analytics that can generate useful and actionable insights for senior managers.

When it comes to managing budgets and incorporating market data into your resource allocation calculations, you may want to start with a Strategic HRIS, which comes in particularly handy if you’re thinking of scaling your operations. With a Strategic HRIS tool backing you up, you’ll always be making decisions based on accurate, up-to-the-minute information.

Comprehensive HRIS

You don’t have to choose just one type of HRIS, of course. It’s possible to get one that comes with all the bells and whistles. And if that’s what you need, go for a Comprehensive HRIS. This will give you all the benefits of the Operational, Tactical, and Strategic systems, so you’ll have all the data you need at your fingertips.

Of course, these systems tend to be more expensive than the others, but that’s only because they deliver unparalleled functionality. Just make sure you’re prepared to invest in staff training, as these can be a little more complex to run.

Limited-Function HRIS

Finally, there are limited-function HRIS systems. These focus on one specific task such as employee benefits management. They’re a cost-effective option if you only need one very specific tool. For that reason, they’re pretty popular with smaller organizations.

How to Choose an HRIS Solution

Choosing the right HRIS for an organization can be a daunting but rewarding task. When implemented, an HRIS will impact employees and administrators across the organization, so it needs to be powerful enough to handle all the data being entered while also intuitive enough that it’s easy to use.

Moreover, it needs to come with tools that can be configured to meet your company’s specific needs. Bearing this in mind, there are several steps organizations should take when selecting an HRIS:

1. Choose the agent(s): Evaluating a potential HRIS system can be complicated based on your setup. Some organizations can conduct research with internal resources, but you may determine that a third-party consultant is needed to manage the assessment process.
2. Define user needs and identify project limits: Before exploring the options available, find out what your business really needs and the impacts of those needs across the organization. Also determine what bandwidth, technical infrastructure, and financing the organization can put towards an HR tech initiative or upgrade.
3. Uncover HRIS candidates: Even the most basic internet search will return hundreds of viable HRIS options, so be sure to allow enough time for the exploration period. To narrow down the contenders, consider these factors:
   • Level of compliance tracking and updates
   • Track record in the organization’s industry
   • Implementation methodology successes
   • Privacy and security features
   • Customer service approach and history
   • Flexibility for customization and future updates
4. Form the selection committee: Create a cross-functional group that will make the ultimate recommendation to executives. Include members from several departments, including IT, HR, finance, and other stakeholders.
5. Submit proposal requests: Depending on the scope of the project, the selection committee may send out a request for proposals (RFP) to the narrowed list of vendors. The request should ask for pricing information, minimum technical requirements, vendor experience, and an implementation schedule.
6. Set up a demonstration: Organize live demonstrations from the top contenders with every committee member in attendance. Use the list of needs from Step 2 above to help craft questions. Ask for examples of how the vendor has implemented their solution for similar clients. Remember, the purpose of the demonstration isn’t to see how powerful or fancy the platform is, but how well it fits your specific organizational needs.
7. Make the call: Meet with the selection committee to debrief all of the demonstrations, organize any follow-up requests such as client references or on-site visits, and create the final recommendation report to executive leadership.

How to Implement a New HRIS System

Successfully implementing a new HRIS into your organization’s existing systems can be as complex as choosing the software in the first place. Like that selection process, there are multiple steps in the implementation process:

1. Pick the team: HRIS vendors will normally provide a liaison or team to work with an organization to get the platform customized, installed, and operational. It is helpful for the organization to also have an internal team that further aligns and facilitates this process, including members from IT and HR who will be working with the software the most.
2. Design a roadmap: Working together with your vendor, draft designs of the organization’s current procedures and the requirements involved. The designs should emphasize functional and technical needs and any potential integration challenges with the current system.
3. Test the platform: Create a group of tech-savvy beta users to test the new software and provide feedback. After the initial test phase ask a small group of employees to test the system and provide feedback about ease-of-use.
4. Inform and train users: When ready, the new platform should be revealed to the rest of the organization along with training aides, FAQs, walkthrough sessions, etc. The goal is to make the transition as easy and painless as possible for all employees so they can immediately use the new tools upon launch.
5. Launch the system: After everyone has had time to familiarize themselves with the new platform, permanent roles for maintaining the software are in place, and there are clear methods for providing feedback or reporting issues on the software, the organization can roll out the new system for use. Most HRIS vendors will also provide a permanent liaison or team to handle any service requests or operational issues that arise.

Is Paylocity an HRIS System?

Yes, Paylocity is an HRIS system, but it also has HRMS and HCM software capabilities. Our platform not only automates manual HR tasks but also has the functionality to help organizations achieve larger HCM goals, including retaining talent and fostering connection among employees. Paylocity is the only HRIS designed with the employee experience in mind and one that includes a full suite of tools catered for the entire employee lifecycle.

Request an HRIS demo today to learn more about our platform.

FAQs About HRIS

Is it hard to learn HRIS?

Absolutely not. HRIS software is specifically designed to have an intuitive user interface. It’s true that some platforms are more complex than others, so it’s essential to invest in staff training. However, most business users are able to learn the features with a little practice time.

What does an HRIS do for employees?

Simply put, it makes your employees’ lives easier. Having all the HR data your business uses available on a single platform streamlines your operations and supercharges efficiency. Your staff will be able to spend less time on mundane tasks and more on helping your business deliver for your clients.

Do all companies use HRIS?

More and more organizations are using HRIS as the benefits of these tools become clear. Swift advances in technology are also playing a role. Previously, the cost of using traditional HRIS meant only larger organizations could afford it. Now, cloud-based platforms are making HRIS software more accessible to smaller businesses, and many are taking full advantage.