How To Fix Problems With Your HR Software

v>without having to go to tech support. Even if you have
Those of you who hate calling HRIS System technicalto call tech support, you are more informed about the
support departments please raise your hand. I stoppedproblem and will be able to more accurately describe
typing for a second so I could raise mine.your problem than had you not researched the solution.
Look, I am a fairly technical guy but yes, even I hateHRIS System Help Files — Pretty much any
calling HRIS systems tech support departments. We allHRIS system you will use offers help files. Most of the
do. Sometimes I get the people who think I am stupid.systems I have viewed or tested offer extremely
You know, the “Is your computer and monitor turneddetailed help files. Use these; there is a lot of
on?” people. A few times I have actually saidinformation in these tools.
“Look, I know you are reading a script of steps andOnline HRIS system Knowledge Databases —
questions.  Let’s assume I am not a completeNot all HRIS companies offer these but if your HRIS
moron and let’s skip to step ten.”  Thensystem provider does, I highly recommend accessing
there are the times I get the opposite extreme wherethe service. A knowledge base is an online database
the tech support guy seems to believe I am misterof issues related to your application. You simply type a
tech wiz and starts speaking a language I amquestion, problem or error code and a list of the most
completely unfamiliar with. “I would answer yourlikely answers is provided. It’s likely that when
question if I had any clue what you were talkingyou call tech support, they will use this exact tool to
about.” Frankly, I am getting frustrated just thinkingresolve your issue.
about calling a tech support department. I am thinkingTest the problem — Being a good HRIS
about the last time I had to call Microsoft.systems support person really involves testing
You might find it amusing that I started my career inproblems to determine the answer. If you are good at
HRIS systems working in a HRIS system technicaldeductive reasoning or enjoy a good puzzle, this is the
support department. If you think you are frustratedjob for you. Let’s say, for example, you are
during these calls, trust me, the guy or gal on the otherhaving problems printing a report. The first question I
side of the line is just as frustrated or maybe evenwould ask or test is if this is only happening on one
more so. I was required to work in support for sixcomputer. If it is, then it is likely a local computer
months before transferring to another position and thatproblem, not a software issue. If not, then the next
is exactly what I did. Tech support is a job that wearsquestion is “What has changed since the printing
on you. It’s hard to go home chipper when allworked?”Most HRIS systems will come with a
day long people have been telling you that your HRISsample company specifically for the purpose of
system does not work. Be nice to the human resourceallowing you to test a make believe company instead
technical support people of the world; they have aof your live data. Let’s say you want to test a
hard job. Sometimes even I forget.new benefit or test using a mass update feature. A
These are some of the reasons that people, all of us,sample company can work great in this example. You
hate talking to HRIS system tech support departments;may also find that if you need to setup a new benefit
but what is the alternative? If you try the tips I haveplan, a very similar plan may already be created in the
laid out below, you will be surprised how often you cansample company for you to copy from.
answer your own questions or correct problems