Mobile, social platforms will continue to trend in 2016 HR tech, survey says

Dive Brief:

According to the 2015-2016 HR Systems Survey by consulting firm Sierra-Cedar, 2015 is the first year ever that employers purchased more cloud-based HR systems than on-premises software, reports PC Magazine. Mobile platforms are also on the rise.
Over the past three years, employers boosted investments in mobile-based HR initiatives by about 70%, according to the survey, which polled 1,204 small, midsize, and large companies with a total workforce of 21 million employees. For 2016, approximately 20% of employers surveyed are planning a major mobile HR initiative.
Apart from continued growth of "freemium" HR platfoms (Zenefits, Bernie Portal, Flock, etc.) for small and medium employers, PC Magazine's HR tech trends for the coming year include: using data to boost retention and reduce turnover; improved applicant tracking systems; better tech-driven job application processes (more applicant-friendly); more social and mobile-based recruiting, and some use of wearables and virtual reality apps and hardware.

Dive Insight:

Employers will continue to turn to technology to help employees feel engaged—"productive, fulfilled, happy, and connected to coworkers and the company's mission." As noted in many circles today, employee engagement is becoming critical as low unemployment rates nationwide and demand for highly skilled workers in industries such as tech are leading more people to change employers.

But, warns PC Magazine, few employers are using data analytics to measure engagement. And HR tech vendors are paying attention. For example, PC Magazine notes, Kronos recently added new features to its cloud-based HR tech for SMBs to recognize employee satisfaction. And, according to the Sierra-Cedar survey, companies' investments in HR analytics doubled in 2015 and will continue to increase.

Amy Wilson, vice president of Human Capital Management Products at Workday, a Kronos competitor and cloud-based HR tech vendor, told PC Magazine that just as marketing leaders use data to optimize the consumer experience with a brand, HR leaders are applying personalized strategies to create a more rewarding workplace for employees - and keep them in the fold.

"Data collected through advanced analytics and machine learning [will] deliver personalized insights and recommendations to employees to help them choose their next career move or connect with others within the organization," Wilson told PC Magazine.