Most industries are looking to the cloud to improve their services, and HR management is no different.
So says Markus Bucher, CEO of Swicon360, who adds that cloud computing has captured the interest of major operators and influential players in the marketplace. “The introduction and advent of cloud-based, virtual infrastructure to deliver business process outsourcing services and support human capital management (HCM) represents genuine progress in this competitive field,” he adds.
Bucher says it is not surprising that human resources development, incorporating people skills development, training, and recruitment has been quickly assimilated into the virtual services arena.
“Part of the reason is because businesses, across all industries and sectors, have to adhere to a radically different HR market space.” He points out that practical issues such as work/life balance, mobility, access to data, and new systems are juxtaposed with legislation pertaining to corporate governance - including data archiving, storage, retrieval and manipulation.
According to him, other factors such as the global credit crunch, significantly lower levels of economically active citizens, the skills shortage, and the need to improve operations and sustain levels of service all influence the overall picture.
HR management can be entirely integrated with virtual infrastructure in the cloud, he says. “It is now possible to invest in a collection of services - centralised, all-encompassing offerings - that are consistently available and promote access to the very best in international HCM practices,” he explains.
Opportune timing
Through the cloud, decision-makers no longer have to rely on traditional, outdated systems to comply with regulation and can compete effectively in the modern corporate environment, notes Bucher.
“This realisation and level of awareness of HCM, its implication and influence on system development and integration could not have taken place at a better time.”
Bucher says SA has the opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities by advancing business using next-generation technologies, as well as existing and emerging trends. “At the heart of this opportunity is people and skills development.
“There is certainly a need for this level of service and support, without having to negotiate upfront investment,” he says.
In addition to this facet of infrastructure development and integration, there are a number of other exciting developments taking place, Bucher adds. There are implications for the roll-out of 'pay-as-you-use' solutions, based on a 'pay-as-you-go' approach to acquiring HR management services.
Bucher says as long as markets continue to expand and investors seek out credible, cost-effective services and the role of ICT remains as prominent as it is at present, there is every reason to feel upbeat about virtual HR and payroll services.
It bodes well for the establishment and growth of HCM as the mainstay and key differentiator within modern business management, he concludes.
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