HR Software—In The Retail Services Industry

Piecing together the HR components for effective HR strategy, process, technology and delivery—in the retail services market.

Human Resource Management Software (HRMS)

The nonstop evolution human resource management systems (HRMS) in the retail services industry can make achieving success feel like a moving target. As retail companies grow, more HR information is needed, more business processes must be integrated, and HR software customization becomes far more common. Retail HRMS operators have discovered proven processes that are effective and successful; and are happy to share their lessons learned and best practices.

For example, we're now sharing the independent HR software analysis, Kronos payroll and HR software review.

Retail Payroll Systems

Few retail software systems receive as much concern as payroll software and for good reason. Payroll processing can be complex—with multi-stage business rules, integration to time clocks, HR systems and back-office accounting, and both internal and regulatory reporting. As many retail organizations are quite small, payroll software can be deployed as a stand-alone system, outsourced, or possibly integrated into a workforce management suite. Automating the pay process is a logical first step for retail service companies, but tying retail requirements and software vendor capabilities can be tough.

Workforce Management Software

Workforce management applications can deliver visibility, predictability, productivity and cost savings to retail labor spend. These HR software solutions generally include time and attendance (often with Point of Sale integration), shift scheduling, leave management, and integration with other HR and accounting software systems. These systems are most popular with retail services as well as demand-oriented and product-centric companies. Workforce management software for the retail industry helps employers monitor workplace costs and variable work patterns that are not otherwise easily detected without enterprise-wide data consolidation.

Performance Management Systems

These HR software systems manage employee performance appraisals and assessments and are some of the most desired organizational tools by retail managers. They are also often an integrated part of broader HR systems that include labor management, employee performance management, and compensation management. Aiding important HR processes such as competency assessment, goal creation, appraisals and career development planning, performance management applications are clearly one of the most effective and least understood HR technology solutions in the Human Capital Management (HCM) software market.

Open Source HR Systems

Open Source Human Resource applications are rising in retail industry adoption because of the inherent cost and flexibility alternatives the HR software brings to the business. As an alterative to popular commercial software products like SAP and Oracle, open source HR software systems permit administrators to tailor or customize the HR technology to meet their specific industry, regulatory or company requirements. Open source software enables benefits such as flexibility, extensibility or cost savings, and open source HR systems can give retail managers new choices that fall outside of traditional business software vendors.