Top Ten Tech Terms:What you need to know when evaluatingHR software systems

“Too many vendors today are seeing an opportunity to make

big profits in software-as-a-service by taking advantage of client

naiveté and simply rebranding older deployment models as SaaS, on-

demand, or Cloud. These Solutions inevitably fail to live up to

customer expectations.”

Forrester Research

If you don’t want to be faced with time-consuming and costly updates, it’simportant to be aware of the underlying product architecture.

Here are 10 key technologies to look for when evaluating your new HR solution:

1. SaaS

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) describes the way that online software is delivered.

Instead of buying, managing and updating software, computers, databases,firewalls and the rest of the paraphernalia needed to run business applications,customers simply log on via the Internet and use the software “as a service.”

2. Cloud

The Cloud is a metaphor for a global network.

Cloud software, or software that is in the Cloud, is used to describe any kind ofapplication that you can access via the Internet—this includes older hostedsoftware, as well as the more modern multi-tenanted solutions.

3. Multi-Tenanted

“Multi-tenanted” describes a software that was built to be shared.

A common analogy is an apartment block, where all the tenants share the sameinfrastructure, but have their own secure space. The landlord (software provider)is responsible for the maintenance and improvements to the building (corecode), and the tenants look after their own space. Because there is only onecode base to manage, new features can be developed more quickly and updatedautomatically.

4. Web Browsers

Web browsers are applications used to view websites.

It is the software that tells your PC, Mac, laptop, tablet, mobile (etc.) how todisplay the web page or software you access via the internet. The most widelyused browsers are: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefoxand Apple’s Safari. Keeping your browser up-to-date is also important for keepingyour device safe. Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/help/browsers

5. HTML5

The latest version of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

HTML is the standard programming language for describing the contents andappearance of web pages. Unlike in the past, the leading PC, laptop and mobilemanufacturers have agreed to support HTML5. That means software applicationsusing HTML5 will work across multiple devices without additional plugins orspecialist development.

6. Native Apps

A native app (or application) is made for viewing on a specific operating system.

It uses the design standards and software of a specific device to create the bestpossible experience. A well-designed native version will be easier and moreintuitive to use than the web browser equivalent—especially on a smallerscreen.

7. Plugins

Plugins add functionality to software.

Plugins like Adobe Flash Player and Microsoft’s Silverlight are sometimesinstalled alongside a web browser to make certain actions work—like videostreaming and interactive websites rather than using HTML5. The downside ofplugins is that they only work on some browsers (and therefore on some devices)and this list is getting shorter all the time.

8. Responsive Design

Responsive designed content changes the layout based on the device.

Tablets, phones, desktop and laptop screens all come in a multitude of differentsizes. With responsive design, software is built so that the layout changes basedon the size or orientation of the device. For example, the same website might bedisplayed as one column on a smartphone and as two on a laptop. Since screensizes are always changing, it’s important that the software you choose isadaptable.

9. API

API stands for: Application Programming Interface.

An API specifies how software components should interact when working withanother software. This is important when you want to exchange data from onebusiness application to another—for example, between HR and payroll software.A modern approach is to publish an API, which makes integrations both simplerand cost effective to develop.

10. Elastic Computing

Elastic computing is the ability to add extra computing resources.

If your provider tells you the have this set up, it means they are optimising theirtechnology to bring down costs without compromising the service. Thealternative is to pay for extra capacity to cope with fluctuation demand (cueperformance review deadline).

Not every provider has re-developed their software to work across the latesttechnology platforms. Instead, they’ve made do with half-measures which,while sometimes appear to do everything you need, may sell you short.

The HR software landscape has changed dramatically in the last few years. Thelatest HR systems have opened up new, more cost-effective and flexible ways ofworking, liberating HR professionals from endless admin and helping employeesconnect in a way that is productive for everyone.

To schedule your free demo of Cezanne HR, visit us online or e-mail us at info@cezannehr.com