How to spot when it’s time to move to a cloud HR system: 6 signs HR leaders may recognise

The tornado of a year that was 2020 has certainly ripped up the rulebook for how we all work, and left business leaders grappling with how to effectively manage a remote workforce with flexibility and agility in today's shifting world of work.

For HR leaders and their teams, it's been far from plain sailing as a result of all this change, and HR leaders have found themselves dealing with an increase in both admin and strategic work.

In fact, in our latest research report, HR in the moment: changing perceptions and expectations of HR, 60% of HR leaders told us their workloads have increased dramatically.

However, 59% of C-suite and HR leaders told us they're even more focused on digital transformation as a result of the pandemic.

HR technologies such as cloud, mobile, self-service and automation have never been more mission critical, freeing up HR teams' time from admin, to concentrate on the things that really matter - such as your people, and building great experiences for them.

A cloud HR system, specifically, not only enables businesses to manage and engage their workforces remotely, but also automates time-consuming HR admin, and provides actionable insights from People analytics, so HR and People leaders can support the business to make decisions quickly.

Many organisations have already moved to cloud HR.

For those who haven't, though, here's six tell-tale signs that you're ready to embrace a cloud HR system, and the benefits that implementing one can bring your organisation.

Here's what we cover in this article:

1. Spreadsheets aren't meeting your needs

2. You need a HR system that can be accessed remotely

3. Your HR workload is too admin heavy

4. You're going international

5. HR analytics: You can't report on what you need

6. You want to drive better experiences and give managers more autonomy

Technology is more mission-critical than ever before

How to take your first step to invest in HR tech

1. Spreadsheets aren't meeting your needs

Are the tools you're using holding you back?

While spreadsheets may have served you well in the past, over time, the data contained in them becomes overly complex, outdated and open to data breaches.

Compiling reports can take hours, if not days, eating into time you could have spent on other tasks, due to having to pull together data from multiple spreadsheets.

With such a heavy reliance on manual inputting, mistakes can be easily made.

A cloud HR system creates one central system of record, automating manual data entry, meaning your records are accurate and up-to-the-minute.

This gives you real insights in an instant - and the peace of mind that your data is stored securely and compliantly.

Already sold? Find out our five essential steps to move from on-premise to cloud HR software.

2. You need a HR system that can be accessed remotely

Even before the pandemic, on-premise technology struggled to cope with managing a mobile, social and global workforce.

Given the majority of desk-based employees work from home now - and may do for at least several days of the week in the future - having an HR system that can only be accessed when in the office is no longer going to cut it.

Cloud HR systems are accessed via a web browser of choice, instead of being installed and maintained through company hard drives on premises.

It means your cloud HR system is secure, flexible and can be used across all your territories, as well as on mobile and on-demand.

Wherever you and your employees are based, you'll all have 24-7 access to your system, no matter where you are.

Find out more about the role of cloud in managing an agile workforce in times of change.

3. Your HR workload is too admin heavy

With increased demands being placed on HR's time, freeing your team up from time-consuming admin is a no brainer.

A cloud HR system automates core HR processes and workflows, massively reducing the amount of time spent on HR admin.

It allows HR to move away from being a purely transactional function and towards being more of a strategic people-focused team.

Find out how automation can be game-changing for HR and People teams in our ebook, Transformation through automation: Five ways to raise your HR game.

4. You're going international

Despite the pandemic, 45% of businesses are looking to expand internationally. Yet, keeping pace as your organisation expands globally presents a challenge for HR and People leaders.

The difficulties and complexities of global and local employment policies can take up a lot of HR's time.

From Working Time Regulations and sick leave, to data compliance, pensions and health care, there's a lot to deal with considering laws, regulations and policies all vary from country by country.

HR and People leaders need a solution that allows them to effortlessly manage and maintain global practices and local rules.

5. HR analytics: You can't report on what you need

A reliance on outdated on-premise software can make compiling reports and analysing the data an impossible and thankless task.

A cloud HR system enables you to reel off any people management figures the C-suite requires in just a few clicks.

It acts as one source of truth for collecting, reporting and analysing People data, enabling you to track and predict trends.

With access to the data you need, when you need it, you can provide reliable workforce insights to help inform swift business decisions.

Find out the five secret steps to better HR analytics and business decision-making in our ebook, Five vital steps to greater workforce visibility.

6. You want to drive better experiences and give managers more autonomy

Your people are your biggest asset, so building great workforce experiences that keep employees engaged, motivated and enhances their wellbeing is vital.

A cloud HR system lets you create employee self-service portals where your workforce can access and manage their own data, as well as submit requests such as vacation leave or expenses.

Taking it off your HR team's plate frees up their time to focus on more strategic tasks.

It also gives managers autonomy, by enabling them to directly sign-off on their team members' requests and create a portal for managing employee appraisals and feedback all in one place.

Technology is more mission-critical than ever before

We've found 67% of HR leaders plan to invest more in HR tech in the future.

However, more than a third of leaders we spoke to admitted a lack of the right HR tech in their company is holding them back from bringing their organisation into the new world of work.

This needs to be addressed urgently.

Investment in self-service and automation is the only way HR can reduce unnecessary admin, and cloud and mobile enabled organisations to manage and engage their remote workforce effectively.

Actionable insights from People analytics means HR leaders are equipped to make decisions based on data quickly, so they can react to changes at the right time and even make predictions about the future.

Recent events have shown if you're behind in driving digital transformation, it's time to put the pedal to the metal.

How to take your first step to invest in HR tech

Acknowledging a need for HR tech investment is simply the first step.

It then requires securing all-important buy-in and budget - and we know that's not always easy to achieve. More than a third (36%) of HR leaders say a lack of HR investment is a barrier to success.

The smoothest way to get buy-in is with a clear and demonstrable return on investment. By demonstrating this, you can get that all-important buy in and investment for the HR technology you need, so the company can thrive.

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