Category Archives: HR Software

Acquisitions & Partnerships, HR Software, News

Dee Set powers people management with MHR

Dee Set, the UK’s leading retail services provider and data company, has partnered with MHR, the HR, payroll and analytics expert, to revolutionise its people management and employee experience and prepare for fluctuating market conditions.

Dee Set serves the best-known high street and supermarket retailers in the UK.

Implementation of MHR’s iTrent platform has enabled Dee Set to transform workforce communication and HR processes across 3,500 frontline employees.

In choosing iTrent, Dee Set has provided employees with easier and faster access to information, supporting continued smooth operations and the best possible customer service and end-shopper experience.

Full digitisation of HR is also helping Dee Set reduce the number of hours spent on admin.

“MHR has enabled us to much more accurately and clearly communicate with our frontline employees in real-time, which is absolutely vital right now to keep them safe and informed through this demanding time,” said Antony Lee, People Director at Dee Set.

“Our collaboration with MHR has given us a platform to accelerate our digital transformation journey and means our operations won’t be held back by more traditional disjointed systems or time-consuming manual processes. Dee Set is a data-driven company that has total focus on excellence in every department and we now have HR systems that are fit for the future and any challenges the market might bring.”

The new platform provides a comprehensive user experience from the point at which employees are recruited, to when they leave. Advanced self-service capabilities mean Dee Set employees will be able to upload information or find answers to queries using mobile phones or chatbots – an important feature for a company where both scale and agility is an important competitive advantage.
Anton Roe, CEO at MHR, said: “Dee Set is showing how the iTrent platform can be a transformative force within any business, driving positive change and efficiency at every level. We look forward to a great partnership with Dee Set which is such an innovative, forward-looking business.”

Altogether, Dee Set has purchased 27 different iTrent modules and products covering almost all aspects of people management.

Deployment of the platform has vastly improved reporting, giving Dee Set managers the information they need to make their tasks much easier and more effective. The company now has a single HR platform integrated with all Dee Set’s internal systems, and a single, trustworthy source for data with instant updates across multiple systems to provide accurate and reliable reports for managers and the HR department.

Automated notifications are provided to defined users in the business – manager, employee, and HR, ensuring consistency of management and follow-up actions. Managers can access information through easily understandable dashboards.

HR News, HR Software, News

Advanced acquires performance management and employee engagement software company Clear Review to extend best of breed HR solutions

Today, Advanced announced that it has acquired Clear Review, a global performance management and employee engagement software company whose customers include Virgin Money, RICOH, Café Nero, HarperCollins and Waltham Forest Council. This is Advanced’s third acquisition of 2020 and extends its Human Capital Management capability centered around Cloud HR which now supports the entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement. The acquisition further supports the company’s ambition to become the number one provider of business software solutions in the UK while expanding its global reach.

Clear Review, which was founded in 2016 by Sony’s former International HR Director Stuart Hearn, has built a strong reputation over the past four years for its innovative Continuous Performance Management platform. It offers Software-as-a-Service people performance management and engagement software tailored for today’s remote working environment with a scientifically backed wellbeing monitor. The software is used by managers and employees at 300 mid-market and large customers globally (UK, US, Europe and APAC).

Clear Review was named top of the ‘EU Start Ups to Watch’ list by eu-startups.com in 2019 and has been recognised for its commitment to customer service – winning this year’s TIARA Talent Tech Customer Service Award and Tech ‘Champion of Champions’ Award.

Advanced’s acquisition comes six months after the acquisition of Tikit, a global legal, accounting and professional services software business, from British Telecommunications Group plc (BT), and just days after its acquisition of Mitrefinch, a global workforce management company.  It is the fourth transaction since the firm received an investment from funds advised by BC Partners and Vista Equity Partners to accelerate growth in August 2019. The two most recent acquisitions have both been completed during the global pandemic.

Gordon Wilson, CEO of Advanced comments: “Covid-19 has forced over half the UK’s workforce to work from home – something that is likely to continue as our normal – and so the ability for managers to continuously develop and improve their people’s performance remotely is paramount to the success of every organisation. Vital too is that organisations can ensure they have engaged workforces and that their wellbeing is supported.  Clear Review’s technology gives managers the tools to do all these things whilst being extremely complementary to our existing Human Capital Management solutions which is an area of priority for us.  For both our existing and new customers this acquisition enhances their ability to empower managers to accelerate their talent management strategies.”

Alex Arundale, Chief People Officer at Advanced comments: “It’s critical employees feel supported and engaged, particularly as workforces navigate the challenges of remote working. Tools which deliver transparent real-time feedback, drive employee engagement and give individuals a deeper understanding of their role and development in turn builds higher performing teams – regardless of their location.”

Stuart Hearn, Founder and CEO of Clear Review, says: “We’re extremely proud of the success of our Clear Review platform and its role in improving business performance and developing talent around the world. The acquisition provides a great opportunity to accelerate Clear Review’s growth as well as integrate with Advanced’s HR solutions, helping organisations retain their best talent and increase performance.”

Benefits, HR News, HR Software, HRTech, News

UK’s Leading Risk Management Provider Reshapes UK Operations for Holistic Support to its 38,000 Clients

Alcumus, the UK’s leading provider of risk management solutions, is reshaping its UK operations to serve and match client needs with a tailored, end-to-end service offering and customer journey.

Alcumus supports both UK and International clients, many of whom are on the FTSE 100 index, with a wide range of software-led risk management solutions across Supply Chain Management, EHSQ Software, Certification and HR and H&S support services, providing businesses with the support to identify and mitigate risks, navigate compliance and keep their people safe. Alcumus currently serves more than 38,000 companies in the UK.

Today more than ever, businesses in the UK and worldwide are facing increasing challenges in managing their health and safety regulations and compliance risks. In mature markets such as the UK, companies across all sectors and of all sizes are recognising that risk management is not a matter of compliance, but an essential element to business resilience and performance. As a result of the Covid 19 pandemic, many companies are realigning their risk management systems as a key element to successful operations.

To provide holistic support to its clients, SMEs as well as large corporates, Alcumus is evolving its UK structure to replace the current product-led Accreditation & Commercial Division and Certification & Software Division to a new, integrated, client-led structure.

Helen Jones and Gemma Archibald will move from their current roles as Managing Directors of the two divisions, to Chief Operating Officers. Helen will be responsible for supporting large organisational clients and Gemma will manage solutions that best meet the needs of small and medium size businesses. In addition to empowering a superior customer journey, the reorganisation will set the stage for Alcumus’ talent to further thrive, develop and progress.

Alcumus’ mission is to help create better workplaces, through relevant risk management and compliance solutions. As Alcumus moves into the next phase of its growth journey, this new structure reflects its strong focus on customer-led, market leading technology and industry expertise. It will also bring new opportunities through the SafeContractor network, where large organisational clients can be easily connected to qualified, ethical and sustainable small and medium size businesses.

Alyn Franklin, Alcumus CEO said:

“Our people and technology are our greatest assets, which clients greatly value across a number of sectors. By making these positive changes and investing in our growth, we’ll be able to support them even more with our expertise and solutions. Our work creates a real difference for our clients, so from a structural perspective, it makes sense to focus ourselves in the same way.

“We have so much positive momentum despite the challenges of 2020 and we have an amazing team. I’d like to thank everyone at Alcumus for having a key part to play in growing the business and making it a continued success.”

HR News, HR Software, News

PeopleGoal drills down on customisation with first ‘build-as-you-go’ HR app store for SMEs

PeopleGoal, the agile HR app engine for SMEs, today announces a complete reinvention of its product architecture to meet growing HR demand for agility, flexibility and customisation.

PeopleGoal is an end-to-end global HR solution that helps growing businesses (100 to 500 employees) to engage and develop their people. The company’s version 2.0 platform is the first HR app store of its kind and offers a suite of 30+ best-in-class apps within five key HR themes: onboarding, engagement, performance management, culture and HRIS.

The antithesis of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, PeopleGoal now offers complete customisation so that HR teams can either modify or build tailor-made apps to better support their people and improve the employee experience. Key benefits include full visibility of team dynamics and real relationships, as well as the ability to build custom surveys in a matter of minutes.

Commenting on the company’s announcement, PeopleGoal Founder & CEO, Nikolaos Lygkonis, said: “The reinvention of our platform has been two years in the making and we’re extremely proud of the result. We have a top-quality product that is unrivalled in the SME space and we’re excited to take it to market at a time when the need for HR agility and customisation is at an all-time high.”

With no code configuration, PeopleGoal empowers HR leaders to do things when and how they want, supported by apps built on best practice templates.

James Strickland, Founder and CTO at PeopleGoal, commented: “We believe the customer knows best so we wanted to build a game-changing, customer-led product that would enable HR teams to do things their way. PeopleGoal requires no code configuration yet it unlocks all the opportunities that come with a highly agile and completely customisable solution. Our version 2.0 customers are already reporting significant time and cost savings and that’s great validation for the product we’ve created.”

Echoing this point, Nora Thomas, HR Manager at Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research – one of the first customers to start using PeopleGoal 2.0, said: “The new system has been built in direct response to customer feedback and that makes for a very relevant and nimble HR solution. The great thing about PeopleGoal is that it works for everyone – from the CEO right down to entry level positions, and it can be customised to fit any organisational structure, which offers a great employee experience.

Thomas continued: “I’ve also been really impressed by the system’s ability to seamlessly link performance reviews with compensation. This is something I’d wanted to have the ability to do from the outset and PeopleGoal’s workflow engine not only enables me to achieve this, it also lets me configure it exactly as I want.”

PeopleGoal’s new app engine also offers seamless integration with a number of leading global SaaS companies, including: BambooHR; Workday; ADP Workforce Now, UltiPro; Slack; Microsoft Azure; Microsoft Teams; and Jira.

The version 2.0 platform is already receiving strong industry recognition having been shortlisted for Best Business Application, Best Business Software Provider, and Best Software-as-a-Service Provider at the 2020 Technology Product Awards last month.

Awards, HR Software, Leadership, News

Glassdoor Names Sage’s Steve Hare as Highest Rated CEO in the UK During COVID-19 crisis

Sage, the market leader in cloud business management solutions, announced today that Steve Hare, CEO, has been recognised by Glassdoor for having the highest rated leadership score in the UK (95%), during the COVID-19 crisis.

The data published by Glassdoor today, uses primary analysis of voluntary, anonymous company reviews and ratings from UK-based current and former employees between 1st March, 2020 and 31st July, 2020.

Steve Hare, CEO of Sage, commented: “These are truly unprecedented times for our colleagues and customers, and this recognition is a direct reflection of their individual commitments and hard work. During this outbreak, Sage’s priority was to create a safe and effective working environment at a time when the stakes were high, and our customers’ need for support was greater than ever.

“I am a passionate advocate of listening to all colleagues and adapting to change as quickly and efficiently as possible. The next stage of this pandemic is an unknown to us all, and we must continue to listen and adapt to support those who need it most – including our small and medium sized businesses, up and down the country.”

Award-Winning CEO Coach Peter Ryding, who has led free workshops for HR Directors and CEOs on leadership strategies throughout the COVID-19 crisis, said Steve Hare’s understanding that the company needed to balance the needs of both employees and customers, and responding quickly, was likely to be the secret of his success.  Peter says:

“While COVID-19 is a new and unexpected crisis for UK CEOs, unexpected events will always arise.  A good CEO will have quickly put a plan in place that factors in the needs of employees, customers and stakeholders, and planned their short, medium and long term responses to it.  Clearly, Steve has done this, acquiring and building the trust of the whole organisation in the process.  It’s a good example of a strong response that will give Sage the best chance of long term stability, despite the current pandemic.”

The Top 10 highest rated CEOs During the COVID-19 Crisis in the UK are:

  1. Steve Hare, CEO of Sage: 95% Leadership Score
  2. Alan Hirzel, CEO of Abcam: 94% Leadership Score
  3. Duncan Rendall, CEO of Rendall and Rittner: 94% Leadership Score
  4. Greg Reed, CEO of HomeServeUK: 93% Leadership Score
  5. Dava Thayan, CEO of Kingsley Healthcare: 91% Leadership Score
  6. Pete Redfern, CEO of Taylor Wimpey: 91% Leadership Score
  7. Tracey Storey, CEO of ICP Nurseries: 88% Leadership Score
  8. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook: 88% Leadership Score
  9. Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce: 87% Leadership Score
  10. Rob Browett, CEO of TeacherActive: 85% Leadership Score

HR News, HR Software, News

HR software provider Personio takes the paper out of paperwork with new integrated e-signature capability

Personio, the all-in-one HR software solution for SMEs, is helping to streamline HR processes with the launch today of its new integrated e-signature capability, allowing businesses to save more time and resources whilst minimising their environmental impact.
While many HR softwares currently require documents to be printed out, signed manually and scanned to access and share them digitally, Personio’s new feature allows businesses to fully digitise key administrative processes, such as those used in recruitment or Human Resource Management (HRM) – providing a vital service at a time when many are managing a remote workforce.

Using Personio, recruiters – and their candidates – can create, send and receive offer documents and contracts. Meanwhile, HR managers, supervisors, employees and other stakeholders can take the paper out of ‘paperwork’, making their processes more productive and sustainable.

Personio’s new e-signature technology has been created in partnership with SignaturIT, European specialists in e-signatures..

Case Studies, HR Software, News

RCP21 Delivers Superior Security Services with Help from SmartTask

RCP21, a pioneering Community Interest Company (CIC), has used SmartTask to help set up and manage an in-house security operation at Langthwaite Business Park in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire. The workforce management software was adopted to coordinate a full-time team of officers, tasked with protecting 120 businesses located at the site, without the need to increase management and administrative resource within the organisation. SmartTask has since enabled RCP21 to deliver a superior security service in the most reliable and efficient manner.

“As managing agents of Langthwaite Business Park, we had previously outsourced the security requirements, but we took the decision to bring the service in-house,” explains Nicola Parker, Operations Manager at RCP21. “We recognised the need for a proven workforce management solution that would underpin our security solution moving forward. SmartTask has given us the visibility and control needed to deliver our service and provide customers with complete peace of mind.”

SmartTask is used to manage RCP21’s full-time team at Langthwaite Business Park that provides a range of security services including CCTV monitoring, mobile patrols and keyholding and alarm response. SmartTask-enabled smartphones are used to scan 32 checkpoint tags around the site, so RCP21 has full visibility of mobile patrols that take place. The software’s SmartForm functionality also enables security officers to electronically view their daily tasks; complete vehicle safety checks; and submit incident reports.

In particular, the incident reporting tool allows a security officers on patrol or responding to an alarm response to capture all essential information, including any photo evidence, via a smartphone. This means RCP21 has an electronic record of any incident in real-time, so it can take immediate and appropriate action as well as share relevant details to the customer. Monthly performance reports can be taken from SmartTask, while incident data is included within the business park’s newsletter to provide information in relation to crimes and incidents on the park.

“SmartTask has proved to be a hugely useful tool that is delivering value across our security operation. The software is simple and easy to use by all staff involved and is effective in enabling us to monitor and deliver our security services to a very high standard,” concludes Parker.

Paul Ridden, CEO of SmartTask: “Our cloud-based employee scheduling and mobile workforce management software is highly configurable and scalable, making it an ideal solution for any security operation. Whether you are a top 30 security company or a small in-house team, it is possible to take advantage of SmartTask’s user-friendly, feature-rich functionality to better plan, manage, deliver and report on your security services.”

Case Studies and Partnerships, HR Software, News, North of England

West Yorkshire Police partners with MHR to deploy new payroll system for 10,500 employees

MHR, the HR, payroll and analytics expert, has successfully partnered with West Yorkshire Police to implement an entire new payroll system within four months despite taking place during the lockdown period.

The rollout ensured all 10,500 employees, including critical key workers such as police officers, were paid accurately and on time.

The frictionless implementation of MHR’s industry-leading iTrent platform has enabled West Yorkshire Police to streamline processes and save time on monthly reporting.
New customised reporting capabilities give payroll administrators speedy access to required information, reducing the organisation’s administrative burden while increasing productivity.

“Delivery through MHR has really streamlined the way we pay our employees,” said Jan Swales, Head of Payroll and Pensions at West Yorkshire Police. “Particularly given the current circumstances, MHR’s impressive ability to establish our new solution so quickly has ensured that all our dedicated and hardworking employees can be paid accurately and on time, which has been an essential part of maintaining motivation while tackling the challenges of the lockdown situation. It has increased efficiencies by saving time and provides much improved visibility of workforce data.”

The next phase of the partnership will see the deployment of MHR’s automated pensions solution.

Anton Roe, Chief Executive Officer at MHR, said: “We are very happy to have implemented the new payroll solution for West Yorkshire Police so quickly, despite the recent challenges to normal working practices. Like all employees, police officers and key workers need to know they will be paid accurately and on time, whatever the situation. It was crucial that this was a seamless process, and the team gave their utmost in order to ensure the project was delivered in an accelerated manner.”

MHR’s comprehensive payroll solution ensures an organisation’s payroll team is fully equipped to excel in today’s digital world. The payroll solution supports businesses by:

• providing employees with access to their pay data anytime and anywhere through mobile devices
• delivering fuss-free management of workforce assessment and auto-enrolment
• creating flexible user-defined workflows that deal effortlessly with authorisations and notifications
• enabling hassle-free management of multiple-role employees on different pay scales and shift patterns
• accurately running all payroll processes automatically overnight, freeing payroll professionals to focus on more value-generating activities

About MHR International Group

MHR International Group is a global software and consultancy company specialising in HR, payroll, employee experience, analytics and artificial intelligence services.
We are an independently owned company headquartered in the UK with offices in the United States. Ireland and Singapore. Established in 1984 we now employ almost 700 people globally and have been developing and implementing our solutions for 36 years. We continue to invest in research and development to ensure we deliver the latest technology and services to our customers.

Our product portfolios include iTrent, People First, Talksuite and MHR Analytics which we provide alongside a number of partners to deliver consultancy, business intelligence and analytics solutions. More than 1,000 companies from SMEs to large multi-national corporates work with us to help them maximise employee engagement, generate better insights from their data and improve efficiencies. Customers include TK Maxx, The Salvation Army, Caterpillar UK, British Steel, Admiral, EPC Group, Skateistan and more.

To learn more visit https://www.mhr.co.uk/

Benefits, HR Software, News

Why 3+3 is the magic formula to help HR suppliers get HR attention

For much of the general public, the idea of furloughing and remote working has become the norm. But for HR, these ideas are not so simple. As redundancies ensue and workplace arrangements transform, the challenges for HR and business management change continually.

So with the current workload, tension and uncertainty, there comes an altered challenge for suppliers who are trying to help employers. Right now, it’s even more difficult to be noticed. From our experience of supporting HR and the suppliers who want to market to them, we see some very specific boxes that need to be ticked when answering HR needs.

So what are the qualities that HR suppliers must have if they’re to stand out?

The equation for success is a combination of 3 practical elements – qualities that promote the supplier and its services as viable options within easy reach of HR buyers – and 3 emotive elements – qualities that resonate with the values of HR buyers and compel them to connect with the brand on a human basis.

So what exactly are these?

On the practical side, HR suppliers must be…

Clear

The lack of certainty for HR in 2020 has been overwhelming and the HR market wants and needs clarity. HR suppliers that provide this can help overcome buyer problems by highlighting straightforward opportunities and providing direction.

To create this clarity, marketeers need to deliver branding and messages that are direct, succinct and harmonious. This helps buyers understand just how your product or service will help them.

It’s also important that suppliers don’t overload their audiences with different ideas – precise and concise messages are key when it’s so loud out there.

 

Visible

With so much information – from employee wellbeing to redundancies to performance and diversity – HR is facing an increase in blog posts, videos and social media content. HR publications receive a barrage of pitches too.

As a supplier, being both detectable and distinct from competitors is essential so HR can easily find solutions and services.

Targeting HR where it matters most is key. Building connections on Linkedin and Twitter and writing educational blog posts that both answer buyer questions and drive traffic to your company website is important. Earning coverage in HR publications is essential for heightening visibility and building trust, so steps to create this will help a brand.

 

Effective

It may sound obvious, but having an effective product or service is fundamental. However, demonstrating a brand’s effectiveness to others is a challenge. Having clear and visible messaging will help this, but it’s always worthwhile to think critically about your business – does it do what it promises? Is the promise something that people actually need? Is the promise what HR needs today, when so much has changed?

And then there’s the emotional side. HR suppliers need to make sure their offering stacks up with the emotional side of how and why people buy…

 

Trustworthy

According to research from Edelman,the global communications giant that helps evolve, promote and protect brands and reputations, 70% of consumers said trusting a brand is more important now than before the pandemic, while 60% say they are more likely to turn to brands they can definitely trust during times of crisis.

Indeed, in times of uncertainty, consumers and those with purchasing power tend to seek out brands which provide security. For HR suppliers that can demonstrate authenticity and credibility, buyers will more likely turn to them for guidance.

 

Reassuring

As companies move into their own versions of ‘the new normal’, HR suppliers that can demonstrate reduced buyer risk will help alleviate buyer concerns about what they need for their employees in a changing environment.

Diminishing uncertainty and fears while conveying an understanding of buyer needs helps suppliers portray expertise in a specific area.

 

Relevant

Lastly, relevance is an emotive quality that truly allows people to connect over shared experiences, opinions and beliefs.

If HR buyers do not show an understanding of the current needs, desires and concerns of their buyers, they’ll find it hard to truly connect with them.

This could mean showing an awareness of broader political or economic events that impact HR, while tapping into the nuances of the market.

Kay Phelps, director at PR in HR, explains:

“The dramatic events this year – from the pandemic to the Black Lives Matter movement – have had far-reaching effects on HR, organisations and their people, so suppliers are all aiming to provide answers for HR’s new and older challenges.

“How companies and people have rallied has been phenomenal yet getting noticed is getting harder. If companies want to be noticed, trusted and respected, their brands and services must be watertight and reflect shifting priorities now and in the future”.

PR in HR’s newly-launched, free evaluation service provides HR suppliers with bespoke, personalised insights and industry benchmarking to assess how their brand stands up to current demands. It helps marketers to understand how their brand works alongside the three + three key qualities typically sought by organisational buyers.

The PR in HR brand evaluation tool supports the HR market by showing brands what they need to succeed right now through instant insight and brand evaluation.