What is HR software, and why is it becoming necessary for businesses of all sizes?
Picture this: you’re the HR manager at a growing company.
New hires are coming onboard every month, processing payroll is a real hassle, and keeping track of performance reviews using spreadsheets is a total mess.
You come to the realization that what you really need isn’t just more people, it’s systems.
In this article, we’ll explain what HR software is, how it works, and why more businesses in Canada are using it to improve their operations.
If you’ve worked in HR, you know it’s more than talent outsourcing.
As your company grows, tasks become harder to manage, questions from employees increase, and even a small mistake can have serious consequences.
This leads many HR teams to ask: Is there a smarter way to handle it all?
HR software is a complete tool that helps automate and manage HR tasks, which, as you may know, often become a hindrance for many teams.
How does it? Well, it supports every part of an employee’s time with the company, from hiring to retirement. This way, every worker in your business will have an information clone on the HR software, and you’ll only have to look at one place.
When you're onboarding new employees, managing payroll, tracking performance, or ensuring compliance, you’ll spend less time using software.
Modern HR software systems are flexible and can grow with your needs.
They usually include tools for:
1. Recruitment and applicant tracking
Post job openings, collect applications, and screen candidates using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
2. Onboarding and orientation
Automate paperwork, training plans, and employee checklists.
For more details about this, read our article: Onboarding vs Orientation.
3. Employee records management
Securely store employee information, contracts, emergency contacts, and performance documents.
4. Payroll and benefits administration
Automate salary payments, tax deductions, and benefits enrollment.
You should definitely check out our Payroll Management Guide.
5. Performance management
Track goals, conduct reviews, and manage feedback to help employee development.
6. Time and attendance tracking
This is particularly important as time and attendance tracking takes valuable time, so now you can manage employee schedules, clock-ins, and requests for vacation and sick leave.
7. Compliance and reporting
HR managers need to stay compliant with employment laws by creating real-time reports on labor metrics, equity, safety, and more, and with the right software, it is easier to do it.
Depending on your company's needs, there are different types of HR systems to consider.
However, we recommend one that adapts to your needs. A large company doesn't have the same needs as a small business, so always choose what fits you better.
What options do you have? Let’s see:
1. Core HR systems: These take care of the basics like employee records, payroll, and benefits.
2. Talent management systems: These are all about hiring, onboarding new employees, training, and tracking performance.
3. Workforce management tools: These help with things like scheduling, time tracking, and predicting labor needs.
4. All-in-One Platforms: These pack all the functions mentioned above into one system.
In Canada, some popular HR software options include BambooHR, Ceridian Dayforce, UKG, and SAP SuccessFactors.
If you run a small startup with 10 employees or a large company with hundreds, HR software can grow with your team and keep you updated when you need to.
You should think about using HR software if:
At TROIS Collective, we help businesses find the right HR tools based on their size and future needs.
If you’ve never used an HR system before, there are some mistakes you definitely want to steer clear of:
At TROIS, we’ve helped loads of companies dodge these issues with training and HR audits, which look at how effective your whole HR setup is.
Are you clear about what is HR software?
HR software is an essential tool for a modern and efficient HR department.
It helps automate many tasks, ensures compliance, and enhances the employee experience.
If you want to improve your HR operations, TROIS Collective can assist you in finding, implementing, and optimizing the right solution for your business.