Chapter 3

Systems Considerations in
the Design of an HRIS:
Planning for Implementation

HRIS CUSTOMERS/ USERS

Employees

Managers
Analysts (Power
Users)
Technicians (HRIS
Experts)
Clerical
Employees
Organizational
Employees

Non-employees

Job Seekers
Sourcing Partner
Organizations

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CATEGORIES OF DATA

Information About People.

Information About The Organization.

Data That Are Created As A Result Of

The Interaction Of The First Two
Categories.

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Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
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TWO-TIER (CLIENT-SERVER)
ARCHITECTURE

Michael J. Kavanagh, Mohan Thite, and Richard D. Johnson - Human Resource Information
Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc.

THREE-TIER ARCHITECTURE
Application
Server(s)

DBMS

SQL

Java or
.Net

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Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
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N-TIER ARCHITECTURE

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Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
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HRIS ARCHITECTURE

One-tier Architecture (Mainframe)

All Software Functionality Accessed Via The

Mainframe

Two-tier Architecture (Client-server)

Spread Of Low Powered Processing Power

Through PCs & High Powered Processing
Through Mainframe
Separation Of Application Technology From
Database Technology

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Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
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HRIS ARCHITECTURE

Three-tier Architecture (Middleware)

Middleware Is A Software Which Manages Data

& Transactions Prior To Being Saved To
Database

N-tier Architecture

Expandable To Multiple Web & Application

Servers, That Can Be Geographically
Dispersed, For Load Balancing & Worldwide
Access

Michael J. Kavanagh, Mohan Thite, and Richard D. Johnson - Human Resource

Information Systems:
Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
Publications, Inc.

Additional Print Servers & Process Schedulers

8

CLOUD COMPUTING

Server Cloud Operated Off-site

Reduces Software And Equipment

Capital Outlays

Evaluation Process Must Include A

Thorough Security Analysis

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Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
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BEST OF BREED

Architecture That Combines Products

From Multiple Vendors

Plug & Play Technology Based On

Universally Agreed Guidelines &
Common Computer Language

Michael J. Kavanagh, Mohan Thite, and Richard D. Johnson - Human Resource

Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
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SECURITY

Top Priority For Any HRIS

Must Be Maintained On A Variety Of

Levels (i.e., VPN, Firewall, Column-Level,
Row-Level)

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Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
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BEST OF BREED
Figure 3.4

Mainframe

Services

HRIS
System

Web

External

API Layer

DBMS

ERP

Legacy

DBMS

B2B

Connector

Adapter

Adapter

Adapter

EAI - Message Oriented Middleware

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Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
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12

PLANNING SYSTEM
IMPLEMENTATION: ROLES

Project Manager

Steering Committee/ Project Charter

Implementation Team

Project Scope

Management Sponsorship

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Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
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PLANNING SYSTEM
IMPLEMENTATION: KEY ACTIVITIES

Management
Sponsorship

Change
Management

Process Mapping

Go Live!

Software
Implementation

Project Evaluation

Potential Pitfalls

Customization

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PROJECT MANAGER OPTIONS

Hire A Consultant To Be The Project

Manager.

Hire A Full-time Project Manager Who

Has Presumably Been Certified By The
Project Management Institute.

Select Someone Who Is Involved In The

Project And Temporarily Move Him Or
Her Into A Project Management Role.
Pros And Cons Of Each Option!

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GO LIVE!

Option 1: Immediate Conversion

Option 2: Parallel Conversion

For Both Options: Critical To Have

Support For Training And Software In
Place.

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POTENTIAL PITFALLS

Poor Planning
Incomplete Steering Committee Or Steering
Committee Without Top Management Support
Implementation Team Problems Or Incomplete
Implementation Team
Failure To Assess The Politics Of The Organization
Adequately
Insufficient Process Mapping
Scope Creep
Poor Implementation Of Or Insufficient Change
Management

Michael J. Kavanagh, Mohan Thite, and Richard D. Johnson - Human Resource

Information Systems: Basics, Applications, and Future Directions, 2e 2012 SAGE
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