A growing number of companies are investing in HR software and technology, according to new findings.
Research published by professional services company Towers Watson revealed that as part of a bid to gain greater control over talent management solutions, HR portals, software-as-a-service (SaaS) systems and mobile applications, are used by firms to increase and redirect their investments.
Furthermore, one in three companies plan to change their HR structure in an effort to improve both efficiency and quality.
In its 2014 HR Service Delivery and Technology Survey, Towers Watson revealed that one in three respondents (33 per cent) plan to increase HR technology budgets this year by up to 20 per cent or more compared with the previous year.
Just 15 per cent plan to spend less on HR technology in the coming year.
Speaking about the findings, Tim Richard, a spokesperson for Towers Watson, said: “Companies are realising the value that consumer-grade technology brings to HR and are willing to make smart investments that can grow and evolve with the business.
“It also appears that companies are splitting their investments between core HR systems such as talent management and payroll, and next-generation technology including HR data and analytics, and integrated talent management systems.”
More than half (55 per cent) of respondents said they reengineered key HR processes over the past 18 months, while 49 per cent improved line managers’ people management capabilities.
Over a third (36 per cent) of those polled said they implemented manager and employee self-service initiatives, while a similar proportion (31 per cent) refocused the role of their HR business partners.
