BambooHR is a one-stop shop for all HR needs. The software solution allows HR managers to manage all aspects of an employee’s lifecycle from hiring to onboarding to payroll to benefits to offboarding. It is easy to use, comes with plenty of built-in templates and provides well-organized, visually appealing workflows. Let’s take a look at more information regarding BambooHR.
What is BambooHR?
BambooHR is a human resources information system (HRIS) that bundles a large set of HR features, such as an applicant tracking system (ATS), time tracking, payroll processing, employee engagement and employee satisfaction tools, into one system. Beyond recruiting and onboarding capabilities, BambooHR includes HR features such as payroll compensation, time-off tracking and employee management processes.
This cloud-based software is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It helps HR managers; recruitment teams and general managers centralize all employee information in one location.
Features of BambooHR
i. Centralized Employee Database- The biggest problem with spreadsheets is that you have to change, edit, and update every detail yourself.
Spreadsheets don’t centralize information, and they don’t communicate with other apps. Every time you make a change, you have to go back through every document, program, and system to make the same change and keep everything current. It’s a nightmare to manage, and things are likely to go wrong somewhere along the way.
A centralized employee database solves that by keeping the information in an interactive database that can integrate into other programs. It updates across the board when information is changed so that everything is up-to-date all the time. You never have to worry about conflicting versions, or editing multiple files. All the work is done for you.
ii. Automated Time Off- Time off can be a hassle to calculate, track, and use. At least, when it’s done manually it is.
That’s why Paid Time Off (PTO) should be managed by HR software. With the right system features, you can specify the way time off is calculated, and the system will automate the adjustment each time an employee takes a paid leave. That way, you won’t have to wonder if you recorded that time or double check that the accrual formula you were using on spreadsheets calculated correctly. The computer will do it accurately every time, removing the potential for human error.
iii. Employee Self-Service- These days, employees expect on-demand access to the systems they use.
Give them the freedom to access their PTO, employment information, tax documents, and so forth, with HR software that has self-service features built in. With the right platform, employees can access their profile from anywhere with an Internet connection. They should be able to request time off, review benefits, track training, and more. Take it a step further and invest in a platform that offers a mobile app, enabling employees to request time off on the go.
iv. HR Reporting- It’s difficult to see the value in tracking HR information when you can’t do anything with it.
Much in the same way big data has changed how departments like marketing and design make decisions, the information you collect on past and present employees can be used to make beneficial changes company rules, policies, and procedures. As in the features above, the key to making this happen is finding the right HRMS.
Important to both HRMS and a good Human Resource Information System (HRIS) is the ability to create reports. From reports on employee absences to ones indicating when most employees spend their PTO, to statistics on the disposition of new hires, a robust reporting feature can make the most of your data, and save you a lot of time. Ideally, you’ll have access to a library of report templates, as well as the ability to create customizable reports from our current and past HR data. With the right information directly at your fingertips, you’ll be making earth-shaking changes in no time.
v. Applicant Management- Managing applicants can be just as complicated as managing employees.
With applicant management, you have access to a central database for organizing job openings, as well as managing the information of applicants to those openings. What’s more, it makes it a lot easier to keep potential employee information on file for future reference. Between job posting and onboarding, the whole process will run much smoother with applicant management.
The five HRMS software features listed above are must-haves for the online HR software you choose. They minimize the time required to manage HR data, which in turn empowers you to maximize your productivity. With all the tedious and time-consuming tasks automated, you can finally return your focus to the reason you went into HR in the first place: to help people.
From onboarding to payroll to employee discharging, with a quality HRMS you’ll be more effective than ever. Start your search for the perfect platform by checking out BambooHR, where you can test the waters with a free 7-day trial.
What are the Other Benefits of BambooHR?
BambooHR has a mobile app that allows employees and managers to access some of the most important HR management features straight from their mobile device. Employees can download the app on their phone to request time off, call in sick, find co-workers’ contact information, request coverage from colleagues, document performance milestones and keep connected with the team on the go.
On the flip side, managers can approve time-off requests, approve timesheets, verify who is working from the office, access the employee directory and more from their mobile devices. The free mobile app syncs in real-time and is available for both Apple and Android users. This mobile option is a huge advantage in today’s modern work world where so many employees work from home and around the world.
BambooHR Plans and Pricing
BambooHR does not share its pricing details publicly. On its website, it states that pricing is based on a company’s number of employees. It gives discounts to companies as the employee count rises.
BambooHR offers two feature packages: Essentials or Advantage. The Essentials plan includes HR management features such as employee records, benefits tracking, standard reporting and document storage, employee self-service features like time-off management, a mobile app, employee directory, a company calendar and customer email support.
In addition to all those features, the Advantage package also includes hiring and onboarding features like an ATS, training system and electronic signature, advanced custom reporting and audit trails to track data changes. The BambooHR Open API allows you to track data and share data across systems, Bamboo Marketplace integrates with third-party apps and an Employer Net Promoter Score tracks employee satisfaction. The Advantage plan also adds phone support Monday To Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain time.
In addition to these two plans, BambooHR offers a variety of add-ons in three categories: payroll, time tracking and performance management. The Payroll add-on includes features like full-service tax filing, comprehensive payroll accounting, data security and end-of-year forms. The Time Tracking add-on includes daily time entry, employee timesheets, automatic overtime calculations and reports for payroll. The Performance Management add-on includes goal, peer feedback, employee performance reports and company performance reports. BambooHR does not include pricing on any of its add-ons.
Conclusion
BambooHR is a great tool for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) whose HR departments have outgrown simple spreadsheets and paper files. HR managers, recruiting teams and general managers looking for an easy-to-use, all-in-one HR software suite will be satisfied with BambooHR. Cheaper options might be available; however, it is hard to determine because of BambooHR’s lack of transparency with pricing.
