HRIS: Easy to use?

I recently had my first, first hand experience with using the set up pages of a HRIS. This HRIS formed part of a larger ERP system and is well known in the marketplace. Having spent a number of years now researching and analysing the use of HRIS in organisations based in Australia I am aware of the perceived complexity associated with a HRIS and its implementation. What I was personally surpised about however was the complexity I experienced with trying to utilise some of the most basic functions that these systems provide. Now I am the first to admit that I am far from an expert with IT, however I would consider myself as a fast learner. Even with a detailed and prescriptive manual beside me, I still struggled to complete the exercises which were to form part of my education process.

This experience has led me to reflect upon the research that I have been undertaking as well as some of the existing literature that discusses the 'challenges' associated with HRIS projects. When I hear of a complex HRIS, I tend to think about a complex project rather than also considering the complexity that is associated with creating and establishing accurate data and information.

This short lived experience with a HRIS has now given me a much greater appreciation for the time, effort and skills that are required to utilise the functions available through a HRIS. This has led me to conclude that a HRIS (different from the ESS) may be for many, considered not to be user friendly. This was especially the case for me.