New technology application, HR.net, gives HR Directors tools to deliver HR intelligence back to the business

At the CIPD National Conference & Exhibition 2004, HR software author, Vizual Business Tools, will be showcasing HR.net, the first Enterprise HR software application based on Microsoft .NET technology.

Frank Beechinor, CEO of Vizual Business Tools, comments, "Following years of being supported by inappropriate and inflexible technologies, HR.net now allows HR Directors to deliver meaningful HR information back to the business and to be seen for the first time as a business asset, rather than a business cost."

In recent times, the HR function has changed from being one of promoting career progression and employee welfare into an administrative paper chase, keeping tabs on the latest legislation in support of the employee. But, fundamentally, the HR role should be for the employee and for the business.

Beechinor comments, "The HR Director's role has changed beyond recognition - some may even say it is now redundant. Many facets of the HR role are being devolved to the employees to create a 'self-service' environment. This should be seen as an opportunity as it clears the way for the re-emergence of an HR function that actually adds value to the business."

HR.net manages this day-to-day devolved HR function, allowing and promoting employees to 'self-serve' the administrative role of HR, whilst providing the beleaguered HR Director with the tools to proactively deliver HR intelligence, strategy and direction to their fellow directors and shareholders. Uniquely, HR.net creates a workgroup-style portal within organisations to promote better collaboration and to connect otherwise disconnected employees with both their employers and the fundamentals of HR policies and processes. The easy-to-use web-based application allows proactive management of the core HR functions, enabling staff to apply for holiday, record sick leave and other absence and update their own personal information - such as bank details for salary payment and change of address - from anywhere, and at any time.

Beechinor continues, "The now recognised cyclic nature of 'boom and bust' leaves an environment where businesses need to 'flex up' and 'flex down' their workforce according to demand. Combine this with an increasing trend for employees to be ever more mobile and the necessity for an agile HR environment becomes clear."

HR.net revolutionises the way HR systems are used by organisations and makes the HR database central to all key business processes. It sets a new benchmark for HR delivery, bringing together three technologies - customisable workflow, customisable databases and a customisable user interface - in one framework for the first time. The HR fundamentals of Policy, Process and, most importantly, People are brought together within this single environment from which employees, managers and HR professionals can collaborate in the most productive, secure, and easy-to-use realtime solution. HR.net will become the primary interface between the workforce and the organisation.

Beechinor concludes, "For the first time a single system covers the entire HR function, from employee hiring, ongoing care and maintenance, through to exit management. With multilingual capabilities, HR.net allows you to manage employees in different countries, delivering a global view of your workforce in one system."

Early users of HR.net include ebookers, Winterthur, Hastings Direct and Old Mutual.