The human resource software market is projected to grow to $33.57 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 10%​.

Human resource information systems revolutionize how companies manage and track employee data. They offer a more efficient approach to HR management and accelerate various HR processes.

1 What is an HRIS?

A human resource information system (HRIS) is a comprehensive software solution designed to manage and streamline various HR functions within an organization.

It serves as a centralized hub for storing, processing, and analyzing employee data, significantly enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of HR operations.

2 Why Do You Need a Human Resource Information System?

The development of an HRIS is essential for modern organizations to optimize their HR operations and maintain a competitive edge. An HRIS offers many benefits that can transform HR department functions, ensuring greater efficiency and effectiveness. 

Implementing HRIS software can streamline various HR processes, reducing the time spent on tasks like onboarding by 50% and increasing employee engagement fivefold​.

Here’s a detailed overview of the core concepts behind an HRIS and benefits of developing one:

hris software development

Centralization of HR Functions

  • Unified Platform: The HRIS project focuses on developing a single, integrated system to manage all HR activities, including employee records, payroll, benefits administration, recruitment, and performance evaluations. This centralization ensures that all HR data is consistent, accurate, and easily accessible.
  • Data Integration: The system integrates various HR functions to provide a comprehensive view of employee information and activities, facilitating better data management and reporting.

Automation of Key HR Processes

  • Payroll Processing: Automating payroll calculations and disbursements ensures accuracy and timeliness, reducing errors and administrative burdens.
  • Recruitment and Onboarding: Streamlining the recruitment process from job postings to candidate tracking and onboarding reduces the time to hire and enhances the candidate experience.
  • Benefits Administration: Automating employee benefits management ensures timely updates and accurate records, improving overall efficiency.
  • Performance Evaluations: Simplifying performance reviews and goal-setting fosters continuous improvement and employee development.

Reduction of Manual Workload

  • Elimination of Redundant Tasks: The HRIS project aims to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, freeing HR professionals to focus on strategic initiatives.
  • Improved Efficiency: Streamlining processes enhances overall productivity and operational efficiency, leading to better resource management.

Improved Compliance

  • Regulatory Adherence: The HRIS project’s key objective is to ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations by maintaining accurate and up-to-date records.
  • Audit Trails: Providing detailed audit trails for all HR activities facilitates easier compliance audits and reviews.

Provision of Strategic Insights

  • Data-Driven Decision-Making: Using analytics and reporting tools to gain insights into workforce trends, performance metrics, and HR KPIs supports informed decision-making and strategic planning.
  • Strategic Planning: The HRIS project supports long-term strategic planning by providing accurate data and predictive analytics, helping organizations anticipate and address future HR needs.

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3 How to Identify Your Requirements for an HRIS

Selecting the right human resource information system (HRIS) begins with clearly understanding your specific needs and objectives. Here’s a concise guide:

Assess Current HR Processes

  • Evaluate Systems: Review current HR processes to identify gaps and inefficiencies.
  • Identify Pain Points: Pinpoint tasks that are time-consuming, error-prone, or frustrating.

Set Clear Objectives

  • Define Goals: Establish desired outcomes like improved data accuracy or streamlined payroll.
  • Prioritize Needs: Rank your needs by their importance to strategic goals.

Engage Stakeholders

  • Gather Input: Involve HR staff, IT personnel, and end-users for diverse perspectives.
  • User Feedback: Conduct surveys or interviews to understand user expectations.

Determine Essential Features

  • Core Functions: Identify essential HR functions the HRIS must support (e.g., data management, payroll).
  • Advanced Features: Consider additional features like analytics, self-service portals, and mobile access.

Evaluate Technical Requirements

  • Integration: Ensure compatibility with existing systems like accounting software.
  • Scalability: Choose a solution that scales with organizational growth.
  • Security: Prioritize robust security measures to protect data.

Budget Considerations

  • Cost Analysis: Perform a cost-benefit analysis to understand total ownership costs.
  • ROI: Consider long-term benefits and cost savings.

Vendor Evaluation

  • Research Vendors: Evaluate vendors based on reputation, reviews, and support.
  • Request Demos: Arrange demos to see if the system meets your needs.

4 Essential Features of an Effective HRIS: Reporting, Analytics, and More

A robust human resource information system is vital for modern HR management, offering features that streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and improve overall efficiency. Here are key features that an effective HRIS should include:

development of hris

Comprehensive Reporting

An HRIS should provide customizable reports that offer insights into various HR metrics, such as employee performance, attendance, and turnover rates. Access to real-time data enables timely decision-making and proactive management.

Advanced Analytics

The system should include predictive analytics tools that use historical data to forecast trends like employee attrition and recruitment needs. Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) helps measure the effectiveness of HR strategies.

Employee Self-Service

A user-friendly self-service portal allows employees to manage their personal information, benefits, and other HR-related tasks, reducing the administrative burden on HR staff. Mobile accessibility ensures employees can access the system from any device, enhancing convenience and engagement.

Payroll and Benefits Administration

An integrated payroll system ensures accurate and timely payroll processing, including tax calculations and regulatory compliance. Benefits management features should simplify the administration of health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits.

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5 Best Tech Stack for HRIS Development

Choosing the right tech stack is crucial for developing a robust and efficient human resource information system. 

Here are the key components of an ideal tech stack for HRIS development:

hris development

Frontend

  • React.js offers a component-based architecture and efficient rendering, ideal for creating dynamic user interfaces.
  • Angular provides a comprehensive framework for building scalable and maintainable web applications, with features like two-way data binding and dependency injection.
  • Vue.js is known for its simplicity and flexibility. It is suitable for building interactive and high-performance user interfaces.

Backend

  • Node.js enables server-side JavaScript execution, making it a popular choice for developing scalable and high-performance applications.
  • Django is a Python-based framework that follows the model-template-views (MTV) architecture. It is ideal for rapid HRIS development and clean design.
  • Ruby on Rails is a robust framework emphasizing convention over configuration, making it efficient for quickly developing complex web applications.

Database

  • PostgreSQL is an open-source relational database known for its robustness, scalability, and support for complex queries.
  • MongoDB is a NoSQL database that offers flexibility and scalability, perfect for handling large volumes of unstructured data.

Cloud and Infrastructure

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides scalable cloud computing solutions, including EC2 for servers, S3 for storage, and RDS for managed databases.
  • Microsoft Azure offers a wide range of cloud services, including virtual machines, databases, and AI tools that are suitable for building and deploying HRIS solutions.
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP) provides reliable and scalable cloud infrastructure with services like Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, and BigQuery for data analysis.

Security

  • OAuth 2.0 is a standard for secure authorization, ensuring that user data is protected during authentication and authorization processes.
  • JWT (JSON Web Tokens) is used for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. It is commonly used for authentication and exchanging information.

DevOps and Deployment

  • Docker enables containerization, allowing developers to package applications and their dependencies into containers for consistent deployment across environments.
  • Kubernetes is an open-source platform for automating application container deployment, scaling, and operations, ensuring high availability and scalability.

Analytics and Reporting

  • Tableau is a powerful data visualization tool that integrates various databases to provide interactive and insightful reports.
  • Power BI is Microsoft’s analytics service that offers rich data visualizations and interactive reporting capabilities.

By leveraging this tech stack, developers can create a highly efficient, scalable, and secure HRIS that meets the demands of modern HR management.

6 Steps to Build an HR Information System

Building a human resource information system (HRIS) is a comprehensive project that requires careful planning, execution, and continuous improvement. 

Here are the detailed steps involved in creating an effective HRIS:

Define Requirements

Begin by assessing your current HR processes to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement. Conduct interviews and surveys with key stakeholders, including HR staff, IT personnel, and end-users, to gather their input on essential features and functionalities.

This step ensures that the system will meet your organization’s specific needs and provide value to all users.

Choose the Right Tech Stack

Selecting the appropriate technologies for your HRIS is crucial. For the front end, consider using frameworks like React.js or Angular, known for their scalability and user-friendly interfaces. Node.js or Django are excellent choices for the back end due to their robustness and flexibility. 

Databases such as PostgreSQL or MongoDB can efficiently handle large volumes of data. Cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure scalability and security.

Design the System

Create detailed design documents that outline the system architecture, data flow, and user interfaces. These documents should include wireframes and mockups of the user interface to visualize the end product. Collaborate with UI/UX designers to ensure the system is intuitive and user-friendly.

This step involves defining how different system components interact and ensuring data consistency across the platform.

Develop the HRIS

Start the HRIS development process by implementing core functionalities such as employee data management, payroll processing, benefits administration, and performance tracking. Focus on building a modular system where each component can be developed and tested independently. 

Incorporate advanced features like analytics and reporting tools to provide valuable insights into HR metrics. Use agile development methodologies for iterative testing and feedback throughout the HRIS development process.

Test the System

Conduct thorough testing to identify and fix any bugs or issues. This includes unit, integration, and system testing to ensure all components work seamlessly.

Perform user acceptance testing (UAT) to validate that the system meets users’ needs and expectations. Testing should also cover security aspects to protect sensitive employee data.

Deploy and Train

Roll out the HRIS in phases to ensure a smooth transition. Start with a pilot deployment to a small group of users to gather initial feedback and make necessary adjustments.

Provide comprehensive training sessions for HR staff and end-users to ensure they are comfortable using the new system. Training can include workshops, online tutorials, and user manuals covering all HRIS aspects.

Monitor and Optimize

After deployment, continuously monitor the system’s performance and gather user feedback. Use this feedback to improve and update the system.

Review system logs and performance metrics to promptly identify and address potential issues. Ensure the HRIS evolves with your organization’s needs by adding new features and functionalities as required.

7 How Much Does It Cost to Build an HRIS?

The cost of building a human resource information system (HRIS) can vary widely based on several factors, including the system’s complexity, features, and the technology stack used. Here’s a brief overview of potential costs:

Development Costs

  • Basic HRIS: A basic system with essential features like employee data management, payroll, and benefits administration can cost between $50,000 and $100,000.
  • Advanced HRIS: A more sophisticated system with additional functionalities such as advanced analytics, performance management, and recruitment modules can range from $100,000 to $250,000 or more.

Infrastructure Costs

  • Cloud-Based Solutions: Using cloud services like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud can incur monthly costs ranging from $500 to $2,000 depending on usage and storage needs.
  • On-Premises Solutions: Setting up and maintaining on-premises servers can involve significant initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs.

Integration Costs

Integrating the HRIS with existing systems (such as accounting and CRM software) can add to the overall cost, typically ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the complexity of the integration.

Customization and Upgrades

Customizing the HRIS to meet specific organizational needs and future upgrades can add another $20,000 to $100,000 to the project cost.

Training and Support

Training HR staff and end-users and ongoing technical support can cost between $5,000 and $20,000 annually.

hris development process

Overall, the total cost to build an HRIS can range from $85,000 for a basic system to over $400,000 for a fully-featured, customized solution.

8 Our experience switching to an HRIS

Flexwise Health: Optimizing Workforce Management through Full-Cycle Development

IT Craft has been instrumental in the ongoing success of Flexwise Health, a workforce optimization solution for the healthcare industry. Since 2018, this partnership has led to significant advancements in optimizing workforce management, improving workload balance, and enhancing platform stability.

Flexwise Health was initially envisioned as an on-demand platform for hiring and managing nursing professionals. The project joined forces with data science startups to provide optimization opportunities, helping clinic administrations effectively balance patient needs and labor costs.

Key Achievements:

  • Enhanced the system to optimize workforce management, including float pool management and staffing needs.
  • Leveraged historical data and forecasts to predict patient demand.
  • Streamlined process automation, sending inquiries, notifications, and follow-up letters via fax or email.

Business Impact

The platform has received positive feedback for its functionality and user experience. By improving cost control, open shift management, and visibility across departments, Flexwise Health ensures high-quality care for clinics while keeping staff satisfied.

Results

  • $6M funding raised
  • Up to 35% lower scaling costs
  • 99.9% security coverage
Flexwise

! Conclusion

Developing an effective human resource information system is a strategic move that enhances HR operations, improves data accuracy, and supports informed decision-making.

Ultimately, an HRIS streamlines HR processes, boosts employee engagement, and offers real-time data for strategic planning, driving operational efficiency and long-term success.