HRIS, HRMS - Is There a Difference?

As an HRIS Solution, a.k.a. HR software, HRMS solution, HR Payroll Software, web vendor, I am anyone in this industry are constantly searching for new keywords to improve our rank and thus, bring more users to our websites. Currently, we track over one hundred and fifty unique HRIS solutions keywords. The problem is many of these keywords define the exact same thing. So I ask the question: -Are we confusing the HR profession by refusing to offer a language of terms that is more consistent?- With this article, my intention is to provide definitions to many of the terms those in the HR profession are likely to hear regarding HR software.

Perhaps the reason for so many terms for HRIS software is online advertising itself. The vendors who market online are constantly searching for new terms with which to rank well and attract vendors. There have been some vendors who have a brand strong enough to create their own terms and then everyone else jumps on the bandwagon. The terms 'Talent Management' and 'Talent Acquisition' are the two best examples I have seen. This improvement of terms by marketing gurus happens in other industries as well. My father owned a Chevy blazer known today as a sport utility vehicle. Now every auto manufacturer has jumped on the band wagon and uses the same term. The new term is cross over. What will the new term be for HR management software?

Content Management System

It seems like the more simple terms which may have been created by IT people or programmers slowly become replaced by more sophisticated terms created in the marketing world. An example is HR database versus human resource information system (HRIS) or applicant tracking software versus talent acquisition software.

- HR Software - It used to be enough to say you were looking for HR software. Well, not anymore. Now saying you are looking for HR software is sort of like saying you are hungry but not providing any idea of what you are hungry for. Think of the term HR software as all encompassing. It includes all of the terms used below.

- Personnel Software, Employee Software, HR Database, HR system - These were the common terms used to define what we know today as HRIS, HRMS or HRM software. These were terms likely created by programmers or technical people; in other words, non marketing people. These terms of yesterday seem to perceive smaller less sophisticated systems than the terms more commonly used today in HR software marketing.

- Human Resource Information System, a.k.a. HRIS Solutions - This is the type of term you receive from marketing as opposed to terms used above created by an IT staff. Yep, it's all pretty much the same thing. However, an argument could be made that an HRIS application is more comprehensive in its capabilities than an HR database but this may, or may not, be true as there are no standards for the terms in our industry. In marketing, however, perception is reality.

- Human Resource Management System, a.k.a. HRMS Solutions - Again, as far as I can tell, this term means the same as HRIS, or any of the other terms used above or most offered below. Overall, I believe HRMS is perceived as being a more comprehensive HR application than HRIS systems.

- HRIS Solutions and HRMS Solutions: Is there a difference?

Webpedia.com defines HRIS as a system used by human resources departments to track employees and information about them. A HRIS is often a database system or a series of inter-related databases.

Webpedia.com defines an HRMS as a software application that combines many human resources functions, including benefits administration, payroll, recruiting and training, and performance analysis and review into one package.

So according to these definitions, HRMS software is more comprehensive than HRIS software. I would love to accept this but, in reality, I can name a dozen HRIS applications that contain all of the features listed in the HRMS application. So now we are back to my original contention that the two terms, and many of the others, mean the exact same thing.

I worked with one HRIS vendor who changed the name of their system to an HRMS. It's important to note that they only changed the name, not the functionality. They simply believed the perception was that HRMS systems were more comprehensive than HRIS applications.

- Talent Management Software - A relatively new term to the market, this has replaced the term performance management software.

- Talent Acquisition - Like talent management software, this is a relatively new term to the market which is replacing the terms recruiting software or applicant tracking software.

- Licensed Purchase, Hosted License, ASP, SaaS, Online Subscription HRIS or HRMS - After fifteen years of selling HR software programs, these terms were confusing to me when I began working on CompareHRIS.com. I will do my best to define each. For these definitions, I will rely on that which was offered by George Brady with Vista HRMS.

- Subscription Service HRIS solutions (also referred to SaaS or PEPM) - Are sometimes referred to as multi-tenanted, as many companies share the system that has been configured for general use. The software and the data reside on servers in a secure facility, managed by the Vendor, where you access it from a Web browser. These solutions do not require IT support on your part. They usually require a set-up fee and you typically subscribe to this service monthly based on your employee population for a minimum term.

- Licensed/Purchase HRIS Solutions (You buy it and own it) - Licensed/Purchased solutions are sometimes referred to as In-House or On-Premise solutions. You pay a one-time license fee and your IT department installs and maintains the solution on your hardware using your network. License software is configured to your particular needs. There are implementation fees to set up the software. Ongoing annual Support fees are a percentage of the original license cost.

- Licensed/Hosted HRIS Solutions (also referred to as ASP) - Are the same as Licensed/Purchased with the software being configured to your particular needs. However, the Vendor hosts your software in its secure facility and provides the back office IT support. There are still implementation and Support fees. There is usually no minimum term as you own a license.

Closing - You are likely not the only person who has asked -What is the difference between an HRIS and an HRMS application?- I have worked in the industry for 15 years and I have asked the same question. Before today, I did not have a definitive answer. They are the same.

HRIS, HRMS - Is There a Difference?

Foundation Repair Guidelines For Homeowners Groundwater Control Part 2

This article is the forth installment of the Foundation Repair Guidelines for Homeowners series. The first three articles covered information on structural repair, site analysis, foundation repair proposals, preventing foundation damage, and basement leaks. Part one of this article discussed the importance of ground water management, not only as essential to a complete foundation repair plan, but as a proactive approach to preventing foundation damage and basement seepage from occurring. Groundwater Control Part 2 discusses passive groundwater control strategies and repair solutions to relive or eliminate excess hydrostatic pressure present on your foundation.

The best approach to correcting water seepage, moisture issues and in certain cases, preventing the need for foundation repair is to remove or control the source of the problem in addition to repairing the foundation. As previously noted in my last article lack of proper drainage causes pooling water around your basement which leads to hydrostatic pressure on the walls. Hydrostatic pressure can result in foundation damage, allowing foundation walls to crack, deflect inward, settle vertically, and allow water infiltration into the basement or crawl space of your home. Common examples of basement seepage issues are foundation cracks, slab floor cracks, tie rods leaks, and pipe penetrations.

Content Management System

A great number of foundation repair and basement waterproofing problems can be controlled by handling rainwater and surface drainage properly to redirect the water away from the foundation. Even when foundation crack repair, subsurface drainage systems, and steel pier underpinning is required, removing or controlling water at the source is necessary.

The most basic solutions to relieving groundwater pressure include redirecting surface water away from the structure. There are numerous methods that can be utilized for groundwater control based upon the existing site conditions. The groundwater management systems discussed in this article focus primarily on the maintenance of existing drainage systems.

Maintaining Gutters and Downspouts:

Maintaining your existing gutter and downspout system is an important step in groundwater control. Clogged gutters will overflow causing rainwater and roof runoff to free fall one or two stories to the ground surrounding the foundation. Water leaking into the ground near the foundation of your home is undesirable, as it is likely to erode the soil and backfill and create excessive hydrostatic pressure. Additionally the water seeping into the soil can lead to settlement of the foundation caused by variations to the soil moisture content.

The most common recommendation for gutter maintenance is to have the gutters cleared of debris (leafs, twigs, pine needles, etc.) three to four times each year, with the change of seasons. After the gutters are clear, check to make sure that downspout extensions divert roof runoff at least 5 ft. beyond the foundation and that the water discharged pitches away from, not toward the house.

Roofs collect a massive amount of water; in fact the average 2,045 square foot roof will collect 1,275 gallons of water in a one inch rain. Extending downspouts away from your home is essential to preventing future foundation damage and keeping your basement or crawl space dry. Directing water on a positive grade away from the foundation reduces the amount of water that can percolate downward through the soil adjacent to the foundation walls, where it can exert hydrostatic pressure.

Sloping Concrete and Pavement Surfaces:

An often overlooked cause of foundation damage is settlement of paved surfaces such as concrete, blacktop, and brick paver stones. Concrete slabs crack or sink primarily due to poor soil preparation, or washout of material that originally sup¬ported the slab. When concrete or paved surfaces settle the result is often improper water run off toward the foundation of the home. Further, once cracked, water penetrates the slab more easily, and the freezing and thawing of this water expedites the potential for damage to the foundation.

There are several options for repairing concrete slabs that slope toward the foundation. The most common approach is to remove the slopping concrete and install new concrete at the proper pitch. An alternative to concrete replacement is called mudjacking, or slabjacking. The process hydraulically lifts existing damaged concrete to the original position. Since it typically costs about half as much as total replacement, it is often an alternative worth exploring.

Improper Grading:

Improperly graded home sites often lead to future foundation issues. Grading should always divert water away from your home as to not allow water to pool around the foundation. Surface grading should be sloped away from the foundation at 5% or greater pitch for the first ten feet from the foundation. The BOCA code is even more conservative, requiring a 1 in 12 (8.7%) slope.

Restoring the site grade requires specialized equipment and trained experience installers. Even when foundation crack repair and foundation underpinning is required, removing or controlling water is essential in providing permanent foundation repair. The best approach to groundwater management and foundation restoration requires a qualified professional to provide a comprehensive site evaluation.

Installation of trench drains, extending downspouts and sump pump discharge lines below the existing grade are the most basic groundwater management solutions. Effective groundwater management, installed in conjunction with foundation crack injection, interior drainage and sump pump installation provide an effective combination to prevent basement leaks and foundation damage.

Additional information on foundation repair, basement waterproofing and foundation repair can be found in the first three segments of the Foundation Repair Guidelines for Homeowners series.

Foundation Repair Guidelines For Homeowners Groundwater Control Part 2