| > | | | | difference? |
| HRIS, HRMS and other confusing HR software | | | | defines HRIS as a system used by human resources |
| industry terms defined. | | | | departments to track employees and information |
| As an HRIS Solution, a.k.a. HR software, HRMS | | | | about them. A HRIS is often a database system or a |
| solution, HR Payroll Software, web vendor, I am | | | | series of inter-related databases. |
| anyone in this industry are constantly searching for | | | | defines an HRMS as a software application that |
| new keywords to improve our rank and thus, bring | | | | combines many human resources functions, including |
| more users to our websites. Currently, we track over | | | | benefits administration, payroll, recruiting and training, |
| one hundred and fifty unique HRIS solutions keywords. | | | | and performance analysis and review into one |
| The problem is many of these keywords define the | | | | package. |
| exact same thing. So I ask the question: -Are we | | | | So according to these definitions, HRMS software is |
| confusing the HR profession by refusing to offer a | | | | more comprehensive than HRIS software. I would love |
| language of terms that is more consistent?- With this | | | | to accept this but, in reality, I can name a dozen HRIS |
| article, my intention is to provide definitions to many of | | | | applications that contain all of the features listed in the |
| the terms those in the HR profession are likely to hear | | | | HRMS application. So now we are back to my original |
| regarding HR software. | | | | contention that the two terms, and many of the others, |
| Perhaps the reason for so many terms for HRIS | | | | mean the exact same thing. |
| software is online advertising itself. The vendors who | | | | I worked with one HRIS vendor who changed the |
| market online are constantly searching for new terms | | | | name of their system to an HRMS. It's important to |
| with which to rank well and attract vendors. There | | | | note that they only changed the name, not the |
| have been some vendors who have a brand strong | | | | functionality. They simply believed the perception was |
| enough to create their own terms and then everyone | | | | that HRMS systems were more comprehensive than |
| else jumps on the bandwagon. The terms 'Talent | | | | HRIS applications. |
| Management' and 'Talent Acquisition' are the two best | | | | - Talent Management Software - A relatively new |
| examples I have seen. This improvement of terms by | | | | term to the market, this has replaced the term |
| marketing gurus happens in other industries as well. My | | | | performance management software. |
| father owned a Chevy blazer known today as a sport | | | | - Talent Acquisition - Like talent management |
| utility vehicle. Now every auto manufacturer has | | | | software, this is a relatively new term to the market |
| jumped on the band wagon and uses the same term. | | | | which is replacing the terms recruiting software or |
| The new term is cross over. What will the new term | | | | applicant tracking software. |
| be for HR management software? | | | | - Licensed Purchase, Hosted License, ASP, SaaS, |
| It seems like the more simple terms which may have | | | | Online Subscription HRIS or HRMS - After fifteen |
| been created by IT people or programmers slowly | | | | years of selling HR software programs, these terms |
| become replaced by more sophisticated terms | | | | were confusing to me when I began working on I will |
| created in the marketing world. An example is HR | | | | do my best to define each. For these definitions, I will |
| database versus human resource information system | | | | rely on that which was offered by George Brady with |
| (HRIS) or applicant tracking software versus talent | | | | Vista HRMS. |
| acquisition software. | | | | - Subscription Service HRIS solutions (also referred to |
| - HR Software - It used to be enough to say you | | | | SaaS or PEPM) - Are sometimes referred to as |
| were looking for HR software. Well, not anymore. | | | | multi-tenanted, as many companies share the system |
| Now saying you are looking for HR software is sort of | | | | that has been configured for general use. The |
| like saying you are hungry but not providing any idea of | | | | software and the data reside on servers in a secure |
| what you are hungry for. Think of the term HR | | | | facility, managed by the Vendor, where you access it |
| software as all encompassing. It includes all of the | | | | from a Web browser. These solutions do not require |
| terms used below. | | | | IT support on your part. They usually require a set-up |
| - Personnel Software, Employee Software, HR | | | | fee and you typically subscribe to this service monthly |
| Database, HR system - These were the common | | | | based on your employee population for a minimum |
| terms used to define what we know today as HRIS, | | | | term. |
| HRMS or HRM software. These were terms likely | | | | - Licensed/Purchase HRIS Solutions (You buy it and |
| created by programmers or technical people; in other | | | | own it) - Licensed/Purchased solutions are sometimes |
| words, non marketing people. These terms of | | | | referred to as In-House or On-Premise solutions. You |
| yesterday seem to perceive smaller less sophisticated | | | | pay a one-time license fee and your IT department |
| systems than the terms more commonly used today | | | | installs and maintains the solution on your hardware |
| in HR software marketing. | | | | using your network. License software is configured to |
| - Human Resource Information System, a.k.a. HRIS | | | | your particular needs. There are implementation fees |
| Solutions - This is the type of term you receive from | | | | to set up the software. Ongoing annual Support fees |
| marketing as opposed to terms used above created | | | | are a percentage of the original license cost. |
| by an IT staff. Yep, it's all pretty much the same thing. | | | | - Licensed/Hosted HRIS Solutions (also referred to as |
| However, an argument could be made that an HRIS | | | | ASP) - Are the same as Licensed/Purchased with the |
| application is more comprehensive in its capabilities | | | | software being configured to your particular needs. |
| than an HR database but this may, or may not, be true | | | | However, the Vendor hosts your software in its |
| as there are no standards for the terms in our industry. | | | | secure facility and provides the back office IT support. |
| In marketing, however, perception is reality. | | | | There are still implementation and Support fees. There |
| - Human Resource Management System, a.k.a. HRMS | | | | is usually no minimum term as you own a license. |
| Solutions - Again, as far as I can tell, this term means | | | | Closing - You are likely not the only person who has |
| the same as HRIS, or any of the other terms used | | | | asked -What is the difference between an HRIS and |
| above or most offered below. Overall, I believe HRMS | | | | an HRMS application?- I have worked in the industry |
| is perceived as being a more comprehensive HR | | | | for 15 years and I have asked the same question. |
| application than HRIS systems. | | | | Before today, I did not have a definitive answer. They |
| - HRIS Solutions and HRMS Solutions: Is there a | | | | are the same. |