Chapter 3

Systems Considerations in the

Design of an HRIS: Planning for
Implementation
 HRIS CUSTOMERS/ USERS
 Employees  Non-employees
 Managers  Job Seekers
 Analysts (Power  Sourcing Partner
Users) Organizations
 Technicians (HRIS
Experts)
 Clerical Employees
 Organizational
Employees

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Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e © 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc. 2
 CATEGORIES OF DATA

 Information About People.

 Information About The Organization.

 Data That Are Created As A Result Of The

Interaction Of The First Two Categories.

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Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e © 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc. 3
 TWO-TIER (CLIENT-SERVER)
ARCHITECTURE

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Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e © 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc.
4
 THREE-TIER ARCHITECTURE

Application
Server(s)

DBMS
SQL Java or
.Net

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Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e © 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc. 5
 N-TIER ARCHITECTURE

Laptop
Web Server(s)

Internet
Desktop Computer

Application Server(s)

Smart Phone
Cell Phone
Telephone

DBMS

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Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e © 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc. 6
 HRIS ARCHITECTURE
 One-tier Architecture (Mainframe)
 All Software Functionality Accessed Via The
Mainframe

 Two-tier Architecture (Client-server)

 Spread Of Low Powered Processing Power
Through PCs & High Powered Processing Through
Mainframe
 Separation Of Application Technology From
Database Technology
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Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e © 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc. 7
 HRIS ARCHITECTURE
 Three-tier Architecture (Middleware)
 Middleware Is A Software Which Manages Data &
Transactions Prior To Being Saved To Database

 N-tier Architecture
 Expandable To Multiple Web & Application Servers,
That Can Be Geographically Dispersed, For Load
Balancing & Worldwide Access
 Additional Print Servers & Process Schedulers

Michael J. Kavanagh, Mohan Thite, and Richard D. Johnson - Human Resource Information
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 CLOUD COMPUTING

 “Server Cloud” Operated Off-site

 Reduces Software And Equipment

Capital Outlays

 Evaluation Process Must Include A

Thorough Security Analysis

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 BEST OF BREED

 Architecture That Combines Products From

Multiple Vendors

 Plug & Play Technology Based On Universally

Agreed Guidelines & Common Computer
Language

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Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e © 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc. 10
 SECURITY

 Top Priority For Any HRIS

 Must Be Maintained On A Variety Of Levels

(i.e., VPN, Firewall, Column-Level, Row-Level)

Michael J. Kavanagh, Mohan Thite, and Richard D. Johnson - Human Resource Information
Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e © 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc. 11
 BEST OF BREED
Figure 3.4

Services
External
Web
DBMS

ERP Legacy DBMS B2B

Connector Adapter Adapter Adapter

EAI - Message Oriented Middleware

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Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e © 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc. 12
 PLANNING SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION:
ROLES
 Project Manager

 Steering Committee/ Project Charter

 Implementation Team

 Project Scope

 Management Sponsorship

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 PLANNING SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION:
KEY ACTIVITIES
 Management  Change
Sponsorship Management

 Process Mapping  Go Live!

 Software  Project Evaluation

Implementation
 Potential Pitfalls
 Customization

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 PROJECT MANAGER OPTIONS
 Hire A Consultant To Be The Project Manager.
 Hire A Full-time Project Manager Who Has
Presumably Been Certified By The Project
Management Institute.
 Select Someone Who Is Involved In The
Project And Temporarily Move Him Or Her
Into A Project Management Role.

Pros And Cons Of Each Option!

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 “GO LIVE!”
 Option 1: Immediate Conversion

 Option 2: Parallel Conversion

 For Both Options: Critical To Have Support

For Training And Software In Place.

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 POTENTIAL PITFALLS
 Poor Planning
 Incomplete Steering Committee Or Steering Committee
Without Top Management Support
 Implementation Team Problems Or Incomplete
Implementation Team
 Failure To Assess The Politics Of The Organization
Adequately
 Insufficient Process Mapping
 Scope Creep
 Poor Implementation Of Or Insufficient Change
Management
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