The Role of HRIS Implementation Consultants: Why You Need EXPERT Support
As a former Implementation manager in the HRIS (Human Resource Information System) space, I got a firsthand look at the importance of a smooth HRIS transition. While most providers offer an in-house Implementation team, the importance of bringing in outside help to work on your team cannot be overstated.
Let's dive into some of the reasons WHY it is so crucial to have EXPERT help.
Experience Matters
Your implementation team assigned by the HRIS provider may have varying levels of experience. It’s essential to ask these questions as you are introduced to your team. How do I know this? Because I was once a beginner too, and although everyone needs to start somewhere, an implementation as important as yours needs the right experts involved. An external HRIS implementation consultant, like those you'll find with JPK Consulting Group, often has direct experience working for your new HRIS provider. This can lead to valuable insights, expert terminology, and a clear understanding of what is needed now versus what is needed a month from now.
The All-Product Guru
Often, you will be assigned a team where members could be working on different products or areas of the implementation. An HRIS consultant will understand how all products are tied together. You want someone who knows how your Expense Management module or Benefits Administration module ties into Payroll. They can make valuable recommendations for workflows or product setup based on this knowledge and how it will maximize your ROI, making you an expert in the system faster and more efficiently!
Working for YOU
Outside HRIS consultants, like the ones at JPK, work solely for you. They don’t follow a set of metrics or deliverables that your HRIS Implementation team does, freeing them to take direction only from you. Corporate America has standards, metrics for investors, and goals that may not outright determine your success or ROI.
For example, I had a client with a first check date set for the first week of April. This is usually an excellent time to start with a new payroll provider. However, as we neared the Go Live date, we hit some unexpected turbulence with key stakeholders going on leave. The HRIS provider was understanding but pressured us to maintain the original check date because of their corporate metrics and revenue concerns. An HRIS consultant advocates for you, ensuring that your needs are prioritized over corporate metrics.
A True Team Member
Your HRIS Consultant becomes a part of your organization and implementation team, providing more than just expert advice and best practice consultations. They are also an extra set of hands. From additional training for your staff to product build-outs and verification reports, our consultants at JPK understand the import templates of your HRIS system and have expert knowledge of Microsoft Excel. They can achieve these tasks quickly and efficiently without compromising data. Unlike your HRIS provider's team, which may only handle data import during a specific window, JPK works with you to ensure your data's efficiency, accuracy, and security.
Post-HRIS Implementation Support
Most implementations require support after the first check date. Often, your HRIS provider's implementation team will stay with you only for a certain number of days post-first payroll, transitioning you to their long-term support team. What if you need to push the go-live date of a product until months after your first check date? What if you can’t remember all the training details of system functionality? Your HRIS consultant will be there every step of the way, whenever you decide to roll out products or need additional training. They provide quick resolutions to time-sensitive issues and knowledgeable answers to your questions. The learning curve for a new HRIS system is often long, and you need to see the system in action with live data. Your HRIS consultant will guide you through this process and help you with all your needs.
Make JPK Consulting Group Your HRIS Partner
Choosing an HRIS implementation consultant from JPK Consulting Group means choosing expertise, dedication, and a true partner in your success. Our consultants bring firsthand experience, comprehensive product knowledge, and a commitment to your specific needs. We work for you, ensuring that every step of your HRIS implementation and beyond is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
Don’t leave something as critical as your HRIS implementation to chance.
Partner with JPK Consulting Group and watch your transition to a new HRIS system become a seamless, stress-free experience. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your HRIS journey.