Instant messaging aids HR

After years of reluctance to add another potential distraction to their employees' work days, companies are starting to embrace instant messaging, reports Accounting Web.

Instant messaging isn't new to the workplace, but it's mainly been used by employees who have installed IM programmes on the sly. Now employers are getting into the act. IM programmes allow users to start casual, real-time conversations with co-workers on their "buddy lists", which show who is online.

With IMs, not only can you get instant answers, but you can talk with multiple people at once. Some programmes offer video features and file sharing.

World human resource outsourcing (HRO) market is all set to exceed the US$78.8 billion mark by 2010 at a healthy CAGR of 10.71% over the 2000-2010 analysis period, says eMediawire.

As stated by the recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, the US, with a share estimated at 48.9% in 2006, forms the largest market for HRO, while fastest growth is expected to emanate from countries in the Asian region, with a projected CAGR of 15.74% over the aforementioned period.

In terms of service sectors, payroll services market constitutes the largest outsourced service, with a share estimated at 29.34% in 2006. Fastest growth, however, is expected to emanate from the education and training services market that is expected to post a CAGR of 13.08% over the 2000-2010 analysis period.

Barton Malow - a construction management and general contracting firm that provides all facets of project planning, value engineering and manpower planning - is in the process of constructing a new enterprise-wide human resource management system (HRMS), reports Earth Times.

Having outgrown its former 'static' HR system, Barton Malow looked to its IT team to help drive the firm towards an HRMS capable of evolving its HR function into a strategic corporate asset.

Faced with a mandate to construct a solid HRMS foundation that would better manage its numerous employees, connect the HR department across job sites and offices, and transform the way it leverages its HR efforts, Barton Malow ultimately selected NuViewHR.