After discussing cloud computing in class
and coming across this article, How the cloud is transforming
HR by
Katherine Noyes, I decided to read into the topic more in order to have a
better understanding of this type of information technology and data storage.
The article begins with a description of how the HR at Brooks Brothers was run
prior to making the leap into cloud computing. The system was described as
being from the “dark ages” with many paper documents and long hours spent
filling out paperwork and organizing forms. However, after making the transition
to the SAP's SuccessFactors cloud, there have been many positive effects on
the HR department.
Transforming
to the cloud has allowed Brooks Brothers so eliminate 15 paper-based processes,
as well as, has created a 10 percent productivity boost. This is because the
cloud now stores all the business’s files and data, making the hiring process
more efficient. One of the company’s leaders promoted this new technology
system to other store managers saying, “Yes, you'll be responsible for inputting some data, but you'll
also have access to all this data -- compensation, performance, biographical --
that empowers you to support and to know and grow your people". Using the
new system, Brooks Brothers’ HR department now sends out emails to newly hired
employees with a link to all required paperwork as well as a link to a
resource-filled employee portal. This implementation not only effects the way
the company carries out businesses, but also who can become involved in the HR
part of the business. This new system of operation opens up many jobs for those
interested and knowledgeable in information systems. HR employees, as well as
other members in the business, must understand how these technologies work.
A manager at SAP cloud
computing discusses the future of HR with the cloud. He says, looking ahead,
that analytics, machine learning, and predictive capabilities will become major
leaders in the HR cloud systems. I am surprised that more HR departments have
not yet transitioned to using Cloud storage. I believe that it is becoming more
and more necessary for HR departments to make this transition because of the
growing use of technology in other departments such as finance, accounting, and
marketing. In another article called Why
Analytics is eating the world, Katherine Noyes discusses the growing use of
information technology to store data and analytics. Human Resources play a
major role within a business and in order for it to be most efficient, it must
be caught up technologically with all these other departments.
I believe that the article
should have gone into more detail about the cost of adding this new system to
the HR department and also how it will be more profitable in the long run. I
also am very interested how the HR department can use information technology
within the company, not just with hiring new employees, and how this will make a
positive impact on the business.
I was surprised to hear that Brooks Brothers was operating without a cloud system prior to their recent encounter with SAP cloud computing. I am even more surprised that the article mentions that many HR departments still don’t use a cloud storage system, as HR departments typically process a large amount of information on a high number of people. With that being said, I am not at all surprised by the 10% boost in productivity that Brooks Brothers is claiming since the introduction of the cloud system. Where I am remotely skeptical about this technology is its application to potential employees. Some HR departments screen a large number of applicants before they select their desired candidates. Since this is the case, I wonder if the cloud is storing resumes, basic info, etc. about individuals who applied for positions, but were not granted a job offer. If this is the case, companies may be paying to store unnecessary information. All in all, I believe the cloud system is a great tool for HR departments, so long as it is used as efficiently as possibly.
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