Imagine being able to maximize your software solutions by integrating key data into one single source of truth. The result improves efficiency, saves time, and increases compliance.
For many companies, payroll, general ledger (GL), business applications, and human resource information systems (HRIS) encompass a variety of software and platforms. One system may be used to process payrolls; another to gather time and POS information, while another source may prescreen and track potential new hires. Other systems may track scheduling, inventory, and labor distribution across cost centers.
For some administrators, entering employee information means repeating the function for each platform. For others, finding employee information is a guessing game of where to look for even the most rudimentary data. When payroll, GL, business processing, and HR systems are connected, businesses work smarter and more effectively.
Most companies have made a significant investment of time and resources in the platforms and services they currently use. Connections between platforms would be optimal but could mean additional costs and labor to start from scratch. For these organizations, the best choice is a unified payroll an HR platform that offers HCM API integrations to easily connect with other business software systems.
Leveraging HCM API Integrations Stops Time Waste
Using multiple systems for employee data is redundant and unreliable. No company has the time to duplicate work; fewer have time to track down discrepancies in system information. Unifying critical data sets is a budget-wise practice that reduces errors and omissions that waste time and can even affect talent retention and management.
Like a chain of islands connected by land bridges only when the tide is low, separate software platforms are often disconnected. Information is available, but not always readily attainable. Having to log out of one system or log in to two (or more) to find or cross-reference data is a task few HR administrators have time for. As a result, talent management suffers, which can lead to disengaged employees and churn.
These HCM API integrations go beyond simply passing employee data, they also include payroll information, time punches, cost centers (such as departments, locations, etc), PTO requests, accrual balances, expenses, and more. A fully connected HCM system follows the journey from pre-hire to retire. When one platform is used to track and manage all of these employee-related data sets, businesses can make analytics-driven decisions faster, more efficiently use time and resources, and better attract and maintain talent.
Why Are HCM API Integrations So Important?
The most common systems include payroll; benefits administration; time and leave tracking; talent acquisition, general ledger, business solutions, etc. When all the data from these disparate systems is connected via API integration, employee management is substantially more seamless and efficient. Moreover, it reduces risk by ensuring greater security and compliance. When data is disconnected, errors can occur, employee information may be outdated, and talent management efforts may fall through the cracks. Plus, it requires much greater administrative bandwidth and effort to manage and report.
How To Maximize Your Business Systems with HCM API Integrations
The first step for businesses bogged down with multiple tech systems is to realize there’s a problem. A quick analysis of what software you’re using, why, and how it’s being leveraged can help determine if it’s time to reassess.
Audit
Take inventory of all the business systems you use, whether internal software or SaaS platforms. List the systems you use daily, weekly, and even infrequently, what they do, and how well they perform.
Analyze
Evaluate the systems in place for applicability, user-friendliness, and efficiency. Are they critical to daily operations and/or necessary for your business management? Are there features you never have a chance to use, even though you know they’re valuable, because of time constraints? Quantify the ‘must-haves’ for your tech stack.
Double-work and disconnections
Next, find redundancies and disconnections. Are you entering the same data in multiple platforms, or having to search in more than one place to find an answer? If data is disconnected, or systems are forcing you to work harder, it may be time to consider an integration strategy.
Making connections between disparate systems is simplified with an open API architecture. These platforms allow for integration with almost all other business software and systems. They let businesses keep the platforms and services they’ve invested in (and are comfortable with), opening connections without reinventing the wheel.
What to Look for When Integrating your Business Systems with a Unified HCM Solution
In a recent article, Forbes recommended looking for vendors that serve multiple needs. Rather than reinventing the wheel with a new platform, however, a better choice may be to find a platform that connects all your needs: payroll, HR, LMS, time tracking, and even accounting systems. Look for services that give you the most bang for your technology spend, with options to access and connect with the applications you use. You’ll probably find unifying systems through an open API architecture is cost-effective in the short- and long-term.
Choosing to integrate your business systems with a unified payroll and HR solution, with a single-source vendor such as Inova, reduces costs, boosts efficiency, and helps businesses stay compliant. A comprehensive system mitigates the possibility of lost or erroneous data. For admins, having a one-stop shop for all employee data eliminates time wasted duplicating data and time spent hunting for information. When all these efficiencies come together through HCM API integrations, often at a lower price point, businesses can get back to business.
Visit our Integrations Directory or contact us at info@inovapayroll.com to learn more about Inova and how you can jump-start your integration strategy with our HCM Integrator.
