What is HRMS?

Running a company is much more complicated than it used to be, in many significant ways. Demands on the time and effort of company executives are higher than ever before, yet employee needs are higher as well.

Modern technology is available to meet these new needs. One main form of this technological assistance is the Human Resources Management System, or HRMS. This handy software application helps the harried employer take care of a host of human resources functions using just one handy tool. Rather than tracking employee attendance in one database program and employee performance reviews in another word processing program, an employer can use HRMS to consolidate all of that data into one convenient employee profile system.

Using HRMS, an employer can configure payroll and benefits systems, create and manage training systems, and even track performance reviews. Applications run the gamut from simple time-and-attendance trackers to entire suites of tracking and data systems. Some of these applications are customizable, allowing employers to track such data as employees' personal histories, skills, and workplace preferences. This kind of electronic data tracking makes managing employees' needs much easier and enables employers to focus on other needs. In some cases, using HRMS can mean one less employee that an employer needs to hire.

Even if an employer does have a human resources director, HRMS can streamline the process of keeping track of employees' payroll, benefits, and review data. At the very least, an HRMS suite can help eliminate the need for human resources paperwork. And the larger the company, the higher the number of employees and the more HRMS is necessary.

Certain HRMS applications also allow employees to manage certain parts of their own data profiles. For example, some universities utilize an HRMS suite to which employees can gain limited access in order to change basic contact information such as name, address, and phone number. Other more complicated HRMS applications allow employees qualified access to company job listings, both to view and to apply.