How to Say Goodbye to HR Dependency on IT Once and For All

In today's rapidly evolving workplace, HR departments are under immense pressure to deliver exceptional employee experiences while streamlining operations and cutting costs.

Yet, when it comes to HR Service Delivery (HRSD) solutions, many HR teams find themselves shackled by platforms that were never truly designed for their needs.

Instead of HR-specific tools, they are often handed retrofitted IT Service Management (ITSM) systems. These solutions, while powerful in their original domain, fail to fully meet the unique demands of HR, leading to inefficiencies, frustration, and a constant reliance on IT for even the simplest tasks.

This issue is not about the wide range of HR-specific tools like Workday, Learning Management Systems (LMS), or Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which are specifically built to serve HR’s needs. The real challenge lies in the HRSD space, where many solutions have been adapted from IT systems that prioritize IT processes over HR functions.

The result? A compromised HR experience that doesn’t fully align with the strategic goals of HR departments.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Many HR professionals are grappling with the challenges of using retrofitted ITSM systems that don’t meet their specific needs. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

In this blog, we’ll explore why HR departments should say goodbye to their dependency on IT once and for all, and how an HR-first solution like Applaud can empower your team to take control.

Chapters:

• The problem with retro-fitted solutions
• A solution built for HR, not IT
• The benefits of an HR-first approach
• Case studies: Real-world impact
• Gartner insights: The future of HR technology
• Conclusion: The path of HR independence 

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The Problem with Retro-Fitted Solutions

When HR technology solutions are adapted from platforms originally designed for IT or other business functions, they often fall short of delivering the tailored experiences HR teams require.

These systems were not built with HR’s unique challenges in mind, leading to misaligned priorities and subpar user experiences for both HR teams and employees.

Misaligned Priorities

Many vendors in the HRSD space have entered from adjacent markets like IT Service Management (ITSM). Their primary focus remains on IT use cases, with HR functionalities added as an afterthought.

This approach often leads to HR use-cases being deprioritized, causing delays and frustrations when HR teams need to adapt the system to their specific needs.

According to a Gartner’s 2024 market report on Integrated HR Service Management Solutions, the influx of vendors from adjacent markets has resulted in converged solutions that can quickly inflate costs without delivering the specialized capabilities HR teams need.

This misalignment of priorities can prevent HR departments from fully realizing their vision for digital transformation.

Dependence on IT

With retrofitted solutions, HR departments often rely heavily on IT for system configuration, maintenance, and updates.

This dependency not only slows down the pace at which HR can implement changes but also hampers the department’s ability to respond swiftly to employee needs.

HR professionals are people experts, not tech experts.

Yet, they often find themselves waiting for IT to prioritize their requests, which can be pushed to the back burner in favor of more pressing IT concerns.

The result? A digital employee experience that falls short of expectations and a growing frustration within HR teams.

Applaud: A Solution Built for HR, Not IT

At Applaud, we believe that HR should never be an afterthought. That’s why we’ve developed a platform that is exclusively focused on HR, enabling your team to operate independently of IT and deliver the exceptional employee experiences you envision.

HR-Centric Design

Applaud’s platform is designed from the ground up with HR in mind. Unlike retrofitted solutions, our technology is built specifically for HR departments, ensuring that your needs are front and center. Whether it’s managing employee journeys, handling HR cases, or providing a seamless self-service experience, Applaud’s tools are tailored to meet the demands of modern HR teams.

User-Friendly Interface

One of the biggest challenges with IT-driven systems is their complexity. HR teams often struggle to navigate cumbersome interfaces that require constant IT support.

Applaud changes the game by offering an intuitive, user-friendly interface that puts all HR tools, content, and tasks in one place. This makes it easy for employees to find the information they need and complete tasks without the need for intervention.

Our HR portal, for example, is designed to surface the most relevant information for each user, personalized to their role and needs. This means employees spend less time hunting for answers and more time focused on their work, leading to significant productivity gains​.

User-Friendly Interface

Applaud empowers HR teams to take control of their digital employee experience without relying on IT. With no-code customization, HR professionals can design and manage their own workflows, pages, and employee journeys.

This flexibility allows your team to quickly implement changes and respond to evolving employee needs without waiting for IT to catch up​.

Moreover, Applaud’s AI-powered tools, such as our AI assistant and knowledge management system, further reduce the burden on HR by automating routine tasks and providing instant, accurate answers to employee queries​.

This not only frees up HR resources for more strategic initiatives but also drastically improves the overall employee experience.

The Benefits of an HR-First Approach

By adopting an HR-first platform like Applaud, your organization can unlock a range of benefits that go beyond simply reducing IT dependency.

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

With Applaud, HR teams can automate repetitive tasks and streamline processes, leading to significant improvements in efficiency and productivity.

AI assistants, for example, can handle as many inquiries in one hour as a human HR service desk employee can manage in a week [UIPath], saving your team time and resources.

In addition, Applaud’s knowledge management system ensures that employees have access to accurate, up-to-date information at their fingertips, reducing the need for manual HR intervention and minimizing support costs​.

Take a look at the webinar below, where we explore the applications of an AI-powered knowledge based.

Enhanced Employee Experience

A positive employee experience is critical to retaining top talent and maintaining high levels of engagement. Applaud’s platform is designed to deliver personalized, seamless experiences that make it easy for employees to interact with HR services. Whether it’s completing onboarding, managing leave requests, or accessing important documents, Applaud ensures that every interaction is smooth and satisfying​.

Strategic HR Contribution

When HR teams are freed from the burden of managing IT-driven systems, they can focus on what really matters: driving strategic initiatives that add value to the organization. By automating routine tasks and providing easy access to data and insights, Applaud enables HR professionals to contribute more effectively to the company’s overall success​.

Case Studies: Real-World Impact

Let’s take a look at how Applaud has made a difference for organizations just like yours:

• Case Study 1: Increased HR Efficiency
  After implementing the Applaud platform, one mid-enterprise organization saw a 20% improvement in overall HR efficiency. The HR team was able to reduce the number of service desk tickets and focus on more strategic tasks, leading to higher employee satisfaction and better business outcomes.
  
  
• Case Study 2: Boosted Employee Productivity
  Another company reported a 62% increase in employee productivity after adopting Applaud’s AI-powered HR portal. By providing employees with a single, intuitive interface to access all HR tools and information, the organization minimized downtime and enhanced the overall employee experience.
  
  
• Case Study 3: Improved Manager Retention
  With Applaud’s personalized employee journeys and seamless HR processes, a global organization saw an 8% improvement in manager retention. The platform’s ability to empower employees to self-serve more effectively contributed to a more positive work environment and reduced turnover​.
  

Gartner Insights: The Future of HR Technology

Gartner predicts that by 2025, 70% of organizations with more than 2,500 employees will have invested in IHRSM solutions, many of which will prioritize HR-specific capabilities.

This trend reflects the growing recognition that HR departments need dedicated tools to deliver the best possible employee experience.

Furthermore, Gartner highlights the importance of distinguishing between essential and non-essential capabilities when selecting an HRSM solution. By focusing on what truly matters to your HR team, you can avoid unnecessary costs and maximize ROI​.

Conclusion: The Path to HR Independence

The time has come for HR departments to break free from their dependency on IT and embrace a solution that is truly built for them. Applaud offers the tools and flexibility you need to deliver exceptional employee experiences without relying on IT.

By empowering your HR team to take control, you can drive greater efficiency, enhance employee satisfaction, and contribute more strategically to your organization’s success.

Are you ready to say goodbye to IT dependency once and for all? Discover how Applaud can transform your HR operations and put the power back in your hands.

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About the Author

As Co-founder and CTO of Applaud, Duncan Casemore leverages 15+ years in HR technology to develop AI-driven solutions that simplify processes and enhance EX. His expertise spans roles at Oracle, Xerox and successful HR consultancy. At Applaud, he focuses on making HR services accessible, driving efficiency, and boosting employee satisfaction.