BlogERP: Jim Holincheck's HCM Software Blog

What Are Clients Asking About? -- A New Weekly Feature

I had a request from our Gartner Invest service (these are services that we provide to the Investment community) for the three major themes from client inquiries for last week.  I found this to be an interesting request.  I thought it also might be useful for readers of this blog.  So, I will try to make this a regular Monday feature.

Last week, the three major themes from client inquiry were:

• Talent Management Applications (including inquiries on Recruitment, Performance Management, Compensation Management, and Contingent Workforce Management)
• Workforce Management Applications (Labor Scheduling, Time and Attendance, and Expense Management)
• HRMS

HRMS was a distant third last week.  There were an equal number of Talent Management and Workforce Management application inquiries last week.

I know that inquiring minds like to know what percentage of calls are vendor vs. end user.  Last week, we had the following:

• End User Inquiries-- 65%
• Vendor Inquiries-- 9%
• Vendor Briefings -- 26%

Interesting Gartner HCM Research from March to June 2006

It has been some time since I posted links to interesting Gartner HCM research so I thought I would give you an update. Below are research notes that I thought would be interesting. If you look at the list, you will not see my name as an author. I was a contributor to many of the notes, but not an author. Stay tuned. I will post some of my research in the next few weeks.

Begin 'Future-Proofing' Your Software Investments: Understand the Most-Critical Uncertainties in the Future of Software

Author: Thompson, Ed; Friedman, Ted

All aspects of software, from technology and markets to usage and licensing models, will change radically during the next 10 years. Every CIO should recognize the most-critical uncertainties related to the future of software. These uncertainties are grouped into four categories of related factors.

Retail Time and Labor Solutions Bridge Gap Between Planning and Execution

Author: Daikoku, Gale

Despite significant investments in supply chain and other tools to help with merchandising decisions, results will fall short of expectations if stores can't execute initiatives as planned. As retailers decide where to spend their next IT dollar, store execution should be high on the list.

Integrated Financial and Human Capital Management Applications Make Sense, but Not Always

Author: Rayner, Nigel

Many organizations are considering replacing best-of-breed administrative applications with integrated solutions. This offers potential benefits, but the scale of these benefits depends on several factors. This decision framework enables users to assess if these benefits outweigh any challenges.

ExcellerateHRO-Cardinal Health Deal Heralds Healthcare HRO

Author: Brown, Robert H.; Lovelock, John-David; Stone, Lisa

ExcellerateHRO's and Cardinal Health's human resources business process outsourcing deal shows how such services are gaining popularity in the healthcare industry. Look to see if ExcellerateHRO posts other wins in 2006.

Evaluating Software-as-a-Service Providers: Questions to Ask Potential SaaS Providers

Author: Lheureux, Benoit J.; Desisto, Robert P.; Maoz, Michael

More software functionality is being delivered in the form of software as a service. We provide key issues that users should discuss with SaaS vendors.

Software as a Service: Negotiate Key Terms to Avoid Unexpected Costs

Author: Bona, Alexa

Gartner is seeing more software deals purchased "as a service." In these deals, the contractual terms are different from traditional on-premise perpetual licenses. Buyers must understand the hidden costs and different types of protections needed to negotiate sustainable deals with predictable costs.

SAP Pricing in Evolution: Five Key Items to Negotiate With SAP

Author: Bona, Alexa; Disbrow, Jane B.

Many organizations find SAP's licensing and pricing complex. Because SAP is a strategic vendor with a high initial and ongoing investment, this lack of clarity and predictability brings significant risk. Focus on five areas to avoid unexpected costs and improve flexibility.

Technorati Tags: HR, HCM, HRMS, HR BPO, SaaS, Software-as-a-Service, Workforce Management

Updated Magic Quadrant and New MarketScope Published the Week of January 23, 2006

Well, after 5 long months of effort, two large research projects have come to fruition. We published the following research last week.

Magic Quadrant for U.S. Midmarket Human Resource Management Systems, 2006
Author: Holincheck, James; Recknagel, Kirsten L,

Summary:
Leaders have emerged in the HRMS market for midsize companies. Automatic Data Processing and Ceridian have strong positions. Employease, through its relationship with ADP, is well-positioned. Ultimate Software and Kronos are strong alternatives for organizations that want to keep payroll in-house.

MarketScope for Retail Time and Labor Applications, 2H05
Author: Daikoku, Gale; Holincheck, James

Summary:
This research focuses on vendor capabilities within the context of retail workforce management. Industry interest is expected to grow as Web-based solutions mature and leading retailers use technology-optimized workforces to improve store productivity and deliver a differentiated value proposition. (This research is only available to Gartner clients who subscribe to the Retail Industry Advisory Service).

Technorati Tags: HRMS, Retail Workforce Management, Time and Attendance

Gartner Retail Workforce Management Research

Think Strategically About Retail Workforce Management

Technology is helping retailers shift from focusing on labor just as a cost center to viewing their labor pool as a valued asset. We look at trends in retail workforce management, and some of the vendors providing solutions.

Findings From the 'Retail Industry' Research Community: Bridge the Gap Between HR Strategy and Retail Workforce Management for the Store-Level Associate

Retailers who want to leverage the power of today's workforce management technologies must be prepared to tackle the hard work of integrating core HR systems and store systems and processes.

Retail Task Management Can Improve On-Shelf Availability of Stock

Major retailers in the United States and Europe are implementing in-store task management software, mainly for in-store promotions and audit compliance.