Technology consultancy Core is streamlining its people processes and making performance management more consistent with the help of on-line HR software solution Cezanne OnDemand.
Core are a dedicated Microsoft Gold Partner providing consultancy, development and support services for Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft System Center, Exchange and Microsoft Online Services (Office 365 and Windows Intune). The company uses the latest Microsoft technologies to build extranets, intranets and websites and provide IT support and development services for a diverse range of clients. The business is growing rapidly and now has over 30 people on board, some of whom are based off site on client premises.
Office Manager Elaine Callanan recognised that the previous HR system, which was based around a series of spreadsheets, was no longer fit for purpose and began to look around for an HR software solution that would meet the needs of an expanding SME.
“We wanted a solution that would allow us to integrate our data and manage processes in a more efficient and consistent way,” she explained. “We were also keen to find a platform that our employees could interact with, so that tasks like performance management, for example, would become more of a two-way process.”
Cezanne OnDemand appealed because of its flexibility, cost-effectiveness and accessible, intuitive format. Core also liked the fact the HR software solution is hosted in the Cloud, which allows its employees to simply log on via secure server and access their HR data from wherever they may be working.
Thanks to the flexibility of the online HR solution, the business has also been able to take advantage of an outsourced payroll service provided by Payroll Business Solutions (PBS), who is working in partnership with Cezanne. PBS takes the data it needs each month to process the payroll, without needing to involve Core in exporting or rekeying data, further reducing the overheads typically associated with human resources management.
The system has only been up and running for a month, but the business is already benefiting from availability of more accurate and up-to-date information plus a significant reduction in admin time.
“When we were using spreadsheets there was room for error because the information wasn’t always integrated,” explained Elaine. “Now employees can update their own contact and bank details and managers have ready access to data relating to their team on areas like holiday entitlement, absence and compensation. It has also cut down significantly on the amount of reporting I have to do, because managers don’t have to come through me to get hold of the latest spreadsheet.”
The system has been particularly useful in helping the business demonstrate compliance with regulations around employing migrant workers. It issues reminders, for example, when employee’s visas are due for renewal and provides one central place where all the relevant documentation can be housed.
Core also believes it will reap benefits from the performance management module of Cezanne OnDemand. The systems will act as a prompt for managers and individuals when appraisals are due and will reduce admin for Elaine, who was spending “an inordinate amount of time” chasing managers for forms under the previous paper-based system.
“All the information is at my fingertips now,” she says. “I can see people’s performance targets and compensation history and whether they are getting the training they need to meet their objectives. It just ticks all the boxes for us and will help us make all our HR processes much more streamlined and consistent.”
