How Technology Affects HRM

As an external factor for human resource management, technology plays a massive role in how we manage people. I read an article written by Michelle V. Rafter for Workforce about SAP, one of the biggest suppliers of HR software, and its buyout of competitor SuccessFactors. Both of these companies create software to help manage your workforce in an ever changing and global business model. What makes this factor so important for human resource management is SAP is now able to combine its edge with that of SuccessFactors using the idea of "the cloud".

The cloud is the idea that instead of having hard wired storage and paperwork for all tangible information, it can be shared organization-wide of a web-based server much like a wiki, or more like a wiki on steroids. This advancement adds in not only the idea of new software but the further advances in other technology like handheld devices, i.e. the iPad. With more and more companies becoming linked into the cloud and more employees carrying advances devices like iPad, human resource management is much easier to facilitate due to the growing number of active participants on a much more frequent basis. Employees are more capable of taking the job home and checking in with the ipad to stay on top of assignments, or me able to be reached at critical moments within the life cycle of a project.

I foresee technology becoming even more important to human resource management in the future due to the ongoing reliance modern companies have on web-based systems and devices. It can be a good thing, but too much dependency on one things can always be dangerous.

 If you are interested in a more in depth look at the article you can find the link HERE