{"id":2862,"date":"2017-05-12T17:23:48","date_gmt":"2017-05-12T17:23:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comparehris.com\/blog\/?p=2862"},"modified":"2017-05-16T16:11:32","modified_gmt":"2017-05-16T16:11:32","slug":"nonnegotiables-buy-hcm-software","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comparehris.com\/blog\/nonnegotiables-buy-hcm-software\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Non-Negotiables to Consider Before You Buy HCM Software"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Things<\/a>How do you know when it\u2019s time to buy HCM software? Answer: When the inefficiencies and redundancies start costing you money, resources, and morale.<\/p>\n

As your business grows and changes, old processes can\u2019t keep pace with the new requirements of your workforce\u2014and that means lost productivity and frustrated employees. Often, the solution is better software, but the sheer number of options on the market quickly gets overwhelming.<\/p>\n

To help sort through the available features and functions, we sat down with representatives from ECI<\/a>, a SaaS cloud-based human capital management solution designed to automate critical workflows and keep your HR department on track.<\/p>\n

How to Choose the Right HCM<\/h2>\n

Like most software solutions, HR platforms\u00a0comes with a wide range of options. Here are six of the most important features you should consider before you buy HCM software.<\/p>\n

Hosting<\/h3>\n

Almost all of today\u2019s HCM solutions operate in the cloud in some capacity. But not all cloud solutions are created equal. There are different hosting options on the market<\/a>, from managed private cloud solutions to software-as-a-service (SaaS). Saas solutions offer deep capability to companies at an affordable price, which makes them very attractive. You avoid heavy infrastructure costs and you benefit from the security and scalability of a robust solution designed for multiple business models. Other hosting and cloud solutions come with their own set of benefits<\/a>, so take the time to evaluate your organization\u2019s needs and requirements as you consider your options.<\/p>\n

Data Storage<\/h3>\n

ECI\u2019s solution uses a single system of record to store and access data, meaning that modules can share data with one another, and changes made in one module will automatically update in other modules. All employees can access the data they need from a single point, and you can manage access capabilities based on an employee\u2019s security clearance.<\/p>\n

Single Source Vs. Best of Breed<\/h3>\n

Demand for better integration across modules has prompted many\u00a0HCM providers to\u00a0create\u00a0single source solutions rather than best-of-breed solutions. The difficulties associated with integrating multiple modules from different vendors can be overcome, but single source solutions offer broad functionality while keeping costs low. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option<\/a>, so make your decision based on the functionalities you need and your budget considerations.<\/p>\n

System Capabilities<\/h3>\n

We won\u2019t go in-depth into the many system capabilities on the market, but the bottom line is that you should dig deep into the processes of your organization to understand your requirements before you buy HCM software. Different solutions bring different strengths to the table, and you\u2019ll want to match those to your specific needs.<\/p>\n

For example, ECI has a robust payroll functionality that allows you to perform essential actions like:<\/p>\n