In Steve Boese's most recent blog he talks about a future HR that is less dependent on IT. He points out that free or cheap, web based applications don't require any IT approval or assistance. These new programs take the form of internal micro-blogging software, wikis or activity steams that will replace older, IT supported programs. This would in theory free the HR department from the shackles of the IT department.
While Steve has some legitimate points about HR not being so reliant on IT, I feel that the HR-IT relationship most likely will follow the predicted path of the HR-business relationship. More and more HR departments have focused less and less on the transactional level processes such as payroll or benefits management. Recently, strategic HR has become the key word. The question executives are asking is how can HR be profitable. This has led the HR department specializing in more value added services that actually help the business to move foreword. In this respect I see the HR - IT relationship continuing to be completely intertwined, just not on the basic level that these free programs provide.
In the future, it is my opinion that HR will continue to need IT just as much as in the past. As SaaS programs take over lower levels of the HR functions IT talent will be freed up to take on more important, strategic level tasks. This will allow for businesses to cut more waist, while focusing on only the things that make the company money. In the end more connections will be forged between HR and IT that will serve the company more efficiently. The HR department will never be tech savvy enough to take care of all of it's own IT needs. This means that a truly progressive company will allow its HR department to utilize as many transactionary level programs as needed while at the same time allowing the HR - IT relationship to become even more intertwined on the strategic level.
The companies that pull out this recession the strongest will be the ones that utilize all of their talent the most efficient of ways. For IT, this will mean less maintenance of mundane HR software. Instead, it will mean, like for HR, working on high value added projects that will bring profit to the business.
While Steve has some legitimate points about HR not being so reliant on IT, I feel that the HR-IT relationship most likely will follow the predicted path of the HR-business relationship. More and more HR departments have focused less and less on the transactional level processes such as payroll or benefits management. Recently, strategic HR has become the key word. The question executives are asking is how can HR be profitable. This has led the HR department specializing in more value added services that actually help the business to move foreword. In this respect I see the HR - IT relationship continuing to be completely intertwined, just not on the basic level that these free programs provide.
In the future, it is my opinion that HR will continue to need IT just as much as in the past. As SaaS programs take over lower levels of the HR functions IT talent will be freed up to take on more important, strategic level tasks. This will allow for businesses to cut more waist, while focusing on only the things that make the company money. In the end more connections will be forged between HR and IT that will serve the company more efficiently. The HR department will never be tech savvy enough to take care of all of it's own IT needs. This means that a truly progressive company will allow its HR department to utilize as many transactionary level programs as needed while at the same time allowing the HR - IT relationship to become even more intertwined on the strategic level.
The companies that pull out this recession the strongest will be the ones that utilize all of their talent the most efficient of ways. For IT, this will mean less maintenance of mundane HR software. Instead, it will mean, like for HR, working on high value added projects that will bring profit to the business.
