Partner Article

Only 17% of HR staff use analytics technology

Advanced survey highlights HR’s lack of understanding of analytics software benefits

Almost three quarters (73%) of HR professionals believe that analytics software can help them to enhance strategic decision making within their organisation but 83% do not currently have access to this technology. These are the findings of research carried out by Source for Consulting in partnership with leading business applications and service provider, Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced).

The report is based on a survey of executives in a variety of roles from 297 UK mid and small-sized organisations, commissioned to determine how companies are using analytics and examine current levels of understanding.

International organisations such as Credit Suisse and Walmart are using analytics solutions to improve employee engagement and better link HR trends to business outcomes by analysing communication patterns, performance reviews and personality tests. However despite only 1% of respondents feeling they should be doing less with analytics, UK HR teams appear to lag behind other business departments in adopting the technology.

Advanced’s survey reveals that just 17% of HR professionals are presently using analytics software. This figure is considerably lower compared with Marketing (48%), Strategic decision making (44%), Finance (38%), Operations (37%) and employees who work in customer-facing functions (37%). HR staff may also struggle to exploit potential opportunities, with 68% admitting that they have yet to consider how they could use analytics within their department.

Simon Fowler, Managing Director, Advanced Business Solutions (Commercial division), says, “Businesses are increasingly being driven by data so it is worrying that many HR managers still rely on spreadsheets instead of using analytics software to predict likely patterns of behaviour.

“Without the right technology in place, HR departments will struggle to effectively nurture the talent of employees and obtain vital information, which can be transformed into actionable insight to help their company obtain a competitive edge.”

The research also highlights that HR has the least understanding of the six business departments surveyed. 70% of HR professionals said they knew the difference between analytics and business intelligence systems compared to 30% who stated they were unsure. Employees who work in operations claimed to have the greatest understanding (91%), closely followed by IT (89%).

The respondents put forward a number of suggestions as to why organisations should invest in analytics. 86% felt the main benefit would be to make better informed decisions, followed by the need to improve the understanding of why things have happened and operational efficiency (both 69%). Only 8% reasoned that their business should implement an analytics solution ‘because other organisations are investing’.

Fowler comments, “While business intelligence seeks out information through asking questions and reporting back, analytics assists organisations to access historical data to identify trends, provide explanation and model what might happen in the future.

“Leading analytics software is also key to ensuring that HR can continue to make a telling and profitable contribution within a business. It can help to spot early signs as to whether an employee could be thinking of leaving and recommend pre-emptive action, helping to increase retention levels which is critical to maintaining long-term growth.”

Advanced offers a variety of HR solutions and is continually developing its software to meet the increasing need for analytics technology. The business’s leading scenario planning, procurement and spend analytics systems assist organisations to better predict business outcomes, manage change and enhance their competitive edge.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

About Advanced Business Solutions

Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) provides leading integrated business applications and services that enable public, private and third sector organisations to retain control, improve visibility and gain efficiencies whilst continually improving corporate performance. Advanced prides itself on getting close to its customers by understanding their businesses and responding to their evolving needs.

Advanced’s software systems comprise core accounting/financial management, procurement, supply chain management, human resource, payroll and customer relationship management systems. These systems are integrated with a range of collaborative, document management and business intelligence solutions to extend the value and effectiveness of front and back office departments.

Management information systems for school and academies are provided through Advanced’s subsidiaries, Advanced Learning and Compass Computer Consultants. Advanced also provides specialist vertical solutions for the not-for-profit, sports, arts, live events and legal markets. All solutions can be delivered as a managed or bureau service.

Customers are from both the public and private sectors and include Companies House, Newcastle City Council, NHSScotland, Norfolk Constabulary, Edge Hill University, WH Smith, Royal Bank of Scotland, Aer Lingus, National Express Group, DFS, Liverpool FC, Goodwood, CIPD and RSPB.

Advanced Business Solutions is a division of Advanced Computer Software Group Limited, a leading supplier of software and IT services to the health, care and business services sectors. In 2014, the Group won Tech Company of the Year in PwC’s UK Tech Awards. Advanced was also ranked in the Deloitte UK Fast 50, which recognises the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK and ranked in the top 300 technology companies in Deloitte’s EMEA rankings.

http://www.advancedcomputersoftware.com/abs/

Press Contacts: Angela Mycock and Ben Carey, Advanced Computer Software Group pr@advancedcomputersoftware.com +44(0)1625 856 513

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Advanced .