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Human resources goes mobile: Highlighting top HR apps

Author: Occasional Contributors

Posted on Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 at 10:00

Copyright © 2011 Apple Inc.

When leaving home or the office, what are the must-have items you would never go without? Wallet? Got it. Keys? Yup. Your mobile recruiting application…? Today’s anytime-anywhere mobile access is changing the way we do business. With the right apps, recruiters can manage customer relations, access candidate data, and even review employee referals from their mobile devices. HR technology developers have jumped on the mobile bandwagon, and are working hard to bring new solutions for hiring, managing and tracking HR to the mobile market.

Though many of the mobile HR tools currently on the market are focused on acquiring and managing talent, a new crop of applications allow business owners to dive into highly valuable data on the go. While some apps are available as standalone products on the Android Market or iTunes App Store, many SaaS providers have mobile versions of their web applications created specifically for use on mobile devices.

The mobile technology market is growing rapidly, and there are new solutions emerging all the time. But based on functionality, ease of use, and downright coolness, there are a few stand out.

Acquiring talent
Kenexa 2x Mobile allows hiring managers to run their hiring processes on the go. The application focuses on key hiring tasks so you can execute the most basic actions needed to move the hiring process along. This free app syncs with Kenexa’s SaaS-based applicant tracking system, but users must have a Kenexa license.

Jobvite is an innovative candidate sourcing solution that has a lot of people talking. This application enables your employees to send job invitations (or Jobvites) to members of their networks on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook from just about anywhere. To plug in to this tool, though, you’ll need a Jobvite subscription.

Managing talent
Vortex’s Mobile Manager Connect is a web-based workforce management tool that allows users to manage their operations’ scheduling needs on the go. You can review, edit and approve time cards, violations and time off requests, all of which syncs with existing HR management and payroll systems. The app is free, but users need users Vortex Connect license to use it.

diversityDNA is a mobile diversity training app that offers insights into the impact cultural differences have on workplace conduct. Covering the basics of cultural diversity, this mini course illustrates best practices for communicating in the workplace. This simple, straightforward tool is a great start for businesses interested in enlightening their workforce. The best part? The app is free!

Rypple Feedback is a web-based application that turns performance reviews into a far more engaging experience. Leveraging social networking concepts for a more collaborative experience, Rypple makes it easy for you to recognize achievements and offer regular feedback to your employees. Rypple currently offers various subscription options from free to $9 per user per month.

Additional resources
HR at Your Fingertips is an HR terms and concepts reference tool. Valuable for the layman and guru alike, this application is divided into three sections. The glossary covers 270+ key terms and concepts. The HR Laws section contains information on federal laws, including eligibility and compliance standards. The app also contains a beginner’s guide for writing an employee handbook. This mobile app is currently available only for the iPhone or iPad.

HR Concepts’ Mobile Benefits gives employees the ability to tap into health benefit account information on their smart phones. Review claims and account balances, and submit new receipts by taking a picture with their mobile devices. Transmissions are encrypted and secure, and sensitive information is never stored on your mobile device. This straightforward tool takes employee self-service one step further.

What are some applications that are helping make your life easier?

About the Author: Kyle Lagunas is the HR Analyst at Software Advice. He blogs about technology and trends in human resources by day, and flexes his culinary muscles by night.

Tags: hiring, HR Apps, HR software, HR technology, managing, managing talent, mobile devices, mobile HR tools, mobile market, tracking HR, valuable data, web applications

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 at 10:00 and is filed under HR Analytics, HRMS, Human Resources, Internal Controls, IT, Privacy and Security, Recruiting and Hiring. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.