When new employees join an organization, they need to be integrated into the system. Also known as employee onboarding, this process involves sharing all the tools, resources, directories, and other information the individual would need to succeed in the company. Often, this takes place through orientation programs, training sessions, and meetings with seniors. Since this can be quite time-consuming for the human resource (HR) team, most companies have automated this process using employee onboarding software.

Benefits of using HR employee onboarding software
The biggest reason many companies are making the shift to employee onboarding software is to streamline the process.

1. Creates a personalized experience for new staff
The best way to make employees feel welcomed on their first day is by having everything ready for them upon arrival. This shows that the company cares about the employees and their time, which is why they have pre-set everything for them. This may include sharing orientation invites, scheduling team meetings and one-on-one calls, setting up the workspace, or even creating a special slot during the day to take care of any paperwork.

2. Increases employee retention
The employee’s experience with the team has a huge impact on their loyalty as well. Setting new team members up for success can help build a loyal workforce and improve employee retention. An effective onboarding process is not only more likely to retain team members but also likely to improve the employer’s brand name.

3. Frees up time and resources
Be it rolling out a new employee’s onboarding plan or creating different plans for different teams, all these tasks become much easier with the right employee onboarding software. Instead of implementing the process manually one step at a time, software will automate this to reach as many or as few members as needed. It also reduces HR workload by:

• Creating an automated workflow,  including task notifications.
• Setting up a new hire portal where new employees can find their welcome packet, company resources, and other information.
• Carrying out e-verifications, background checks, etc.
• Conducting new hire surveys to collect feedback.

This is sure to reduce administrative work and errors and free up a lot of time and resources so the team can focus on other creative tasks.

4. Improves connection and communication with the team
As discussed, an effective onboarding process is crucial for boosting loyalty among new team members. Employees dedicated to the company are more likely to feel connected with their team, fostering better relationships and improved communication.

Features to look for in employee onboarding software
While this part entirely depends on the team size, hiring plans, budgets, and other factors, there are some features HR teams need to consider when choosing employee onboarding software.

1. Recruitment management
Since onboarding is part of the recruitment process, having one software to manage the whole thing could not only help save money but also make hiring seamless. That’s why it is advisable to find onboarding software that comes with some form of employee or recruitment management, such as an applicant tracking system, candidate relationship management, etc.

2. Mobile integration
With companies spreading their horizons and hiring remote workers,  conducting   all onboarding at one location is not possible. To make this process more accessible and efficient for the employees, companies must look for onboarding software that can seamlessly integrate with smartphones and tablets.

3. Compatibility
Most companies have a diverse tech stack. For seamless functioning, these software must integrate with one another.  This rule must also extend to onboarding software , as this can help create an immaculate employee management system.

4. Customization capacity
It’s no secret that every business has different needs. To accommodate these requirements, any new onboarding software must be flexible or provide some room for customization. Opting for a pre-designed system may result in losing out on important features or overpaying for services.

5. Data management
The onboarding system will handle a lot of information, such as applications, employee salaries, benefits, contact details, and much more. So, look for HR employee management software that is capable of storing and accessing large amounts of data as and when required.

6. Security
Since the software is going to be home to sensitive data, it also needs to be secure. Ensure that the software complies with all local rules and regulations regarding data security.

7. User-friendly interface
Despite the shift to technology, not everyone is comfortable with advanced software and applications. To make the transition to onboarding software seamless, it is important that the new system is easy to use and user-friendly.

8. Implementation process
Stop to think about how the software will be introduced and integrated into the current system. Developing a clear execution strategy is imperative in ensuring success with any new internal process. This is a good time to check if the software company offers any help with setting up, along with initial training for the team.