1. Best of Breed Project Two goals: –Compare a wide variety of HRIS products –Collect and share this information in a database Each individual will collect information on several products Each group will prepare a report on the “best of breed” within a product category

2. Where to get information? Start with the HRIS product directories –in your course pack –on the web Contact vendors via phone or email –Get all the info they will send –Get demo versions if possible Each student should be able to do at least 5

3. The HRIS Product Database

4. This database was created as an LIR828 term project The HRIS Product Database was created by Aggie Tran, Kim Johansen and Akio Tsuchida It is a good example of what you could accomplish as an LIR828 term project –But don’t expect to do a web interface unless you already know how -- it can be a lot of work!

5. Product information form

6. Definitions of fields Some are self-explanatory (e.g., product name) Product Function: an overall description of what the product does (NOT an evaluation of how well it does it) Starting Price: a description (not necessarily a number) that says what the least cost version of the product would be

7. More fields Demo available? Is demo software available from the vendor (Yes or no) Intranet enabled? Does the product have a WWW interface? (Yes or no) Employee size: Is there a size range that is most appropriate for this product? –Note that for many products, this is irrelevant, because they do not store employee records

8. Editorial/research fields Student Editor: enter your name here (so you get credit for your work) Date of editing: when did you enter the data? Research source(s): List all of the sources you used: product brochures, corporate web site, product reviews, etc.

9. Entering product functions Product functions will be used to search and select records from the database Choose functions from the combo box –If you need to add a function, go to table maintenance Describe how the product performs each function that you enter. The default is “contact vendor for details”

10. Client/server platforms are tricky Client OS Platform e.g., Win95, Mac OS Server OS Platform e.g., WinNT, Unix, AS/400 network Database e.g., Oracle, Sybase...

11. Entering Platforms A “stand-alone” program only needs the “Client OS” filled in A client-server database (like HR/Vantage) needs –Client OS (OS for the client software?) –Server OS (OS for the server software?) –Database (what databases can be used to store the data for this application?)

12. Data Entry Strategy See if the vendor is there. –If not, enter the vendor first See if the rest of the look-up terms are there –Operating systems –Databases –Product functions If not, you will need to enter them

13. Accurate Descriptions are Vital! This information will be published on the WWW Need to differentiate rumor and opinion from actual product function/performance When in doubt, you can enter “contact vendor for details”

14. Tabs at bottom for Product Functions and Platforms

15. Vendor information is entered on a separate form

16. Lookup tables have separate forms

17. Product Functions

18. Operating Systems and Databases

19. Reports have a separate menu

20. Full Product List Note: this information is not complete!

21. Vendor List Note: this information is not accurate!

22. Database Structure