Recruitment consultancy transforms business with JobMatrix

Recruitment consultancies and companies with an in-house recruitment arm have long struggled to fill vacancies with the right skills at short notice. But when Cape-based consultancy Jackson Hewitt implemented JobMatrix, a Web-based skills matching application from Visual Information Systems (VIS), this resolved many of its operational constraints.

Henry Crowther, MD of the IT recruitment specialist, explains that traditional recruitment systems suffer from systems inefficiencies. "In the past, a candidate would supply a CV, or a client would request a specific skills set. We would start by inputting their data manually into our system, whichever client interface they use (telephone, fax or e-mail), and this would take time.

"Then, we would contact the customer with the CVs that most closely match their needs, or approach the candidate whose skills match the customer`s needs, and set up an interview. This process is by its very nature time-consuming, laden with unnecessary costs, and inaccuracies may creep in, as there are different naming conventions for the same skill."

By contrast, JobMatrix, a fully integrated, customisable Web-based application that comes off the shelf from Cape Town-based e-business developer VIS, can be deployed in hours, and offers a cost-effective matching of skills that is practically impervious to human error.

It features online posting of a CV or a vacancy (effectively outsourcing data processing to the customer, saving time and money), notification to customers that they have been registered online, or that their application is rejected or accepted, or of any other event that they choose. It also allows for total contact management and scheduling on a per-client or per-candidate basis, and integrates fully with MS Office. Other functions include reporting on internal productivity of consultants.

"Half the time with the old method, the CV would lack information, requiring more phone calls and delays, but this system does not allow submission of information until all elements have been supplied," Crowther adds.

"The application also eliminates inaccuracies, in that candidates and corporates, to whom data processing is `outsourced`, must choose from pre-defined, exhaustive lists, clicking on their choice, rather than filling it in." Customers simply post the vacancy or CV on the Web, and at the click of a button, the matching candidate or job is found.

Crowther says Jackson Hewitt, JobMatrix`s launch customer in South Africa, has migrated its newest customers and candidates onto the new system. Jackson Hewitt customers who prefer to make use of traditional phone and fax channels can still do so.

According to VIS`s CEO, Dr Henk Goosen, JobMatrix is unique in many aspects. "It is a complete communication solution between customers, applicants and consultancy. JobMatrix is not a job site, and it is also not a dotcom product, designed to compete with traditional consultancies. It is a Web-tool that will help all recruitment businesses compete more efficiently and cost-effectively".

Goosen says JobMatrix uses core VIS technology, and is sold as a generic application, rapidly developed using re-usable components. It can be customised to suit any company`s collaborative communication needs, and falls into the groupware and messaging category. It has already been introduced to the UK market, and will be aimed at companies with recruitment needs in all VIS`s territories.

"Unlike competitive tools in the market, JobMatrix is a ready-made solution, not merely a platform that requires extensive further development. Furthermore, it is fully Web-based, meaning it does not need proprietary servers for deployment. It can be accessed from any modern browser," he says.