Buying Strategies

A place to learn how the best in the business are shopping for HR software. Tips, tricks, strategies & best practices below
Back to Blog Home

Streamlining Your HR Processes with the Right HRIS System

Just about every company in the world has a software system that is used to track and manage their employee data. But, why did every company decide to adopt an HRIS, or similar system, and what are the business impacts of having the right HRIS in place?

Read Article

Why Using a Consultant Can Simplify Your HRIS Software Buying Process

Most people wouldn't consider themselves experts at researching, evaluating and implementing HR software platforms. This is something that HR Leaders take on, when needed, but isn't their core area of expertise. This lack of expertise can lead to unforeseen challenges, however. This article breaks down the value of using a consultant when buying HRIS

Read Article

Essential Features of a Robust HRIS System

With how quickly enterprise software changes, it can be tough to keep track of what is even possible within large software platforms, such as an HRIS. In this article, we dive into the capabilities one can expect from a robust HRIS system

Read Article

Implementing an HRIS System: Step-by-Step Guide

Many buyers enter an implementation process unprepared for what it about to take place. Implementation doesn't have to be challenging, but understanding what to expect can help companies better plan their time & resources to make the most of their HRIS implementation.

Read Article

How to Evaluate Vendor Proposals for HRIS Systems

Every HRIS vendor that you'll meet with will have a different way of quoting and packaging their services. With how similar every vendor can look in a demo, it can be challenging to compare and contrast proposals. Here's a helpful guide:

Read Article

How a Well-Implemented HRIS System Can Improve Your Bottom Line

Going through an HRIS selection process can feel like an exhausting effort, but savvy businesses know that picking the right vendor is only half the battle. Getting that new system implemented and brought to life as intended is where companies can really drive operational efficiency and improve their bottom line.

Read Article

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on HRIS Systems

With all of the recent buzz surrounding AI large language models, such as ChatGPT, it is important to ask the question: How will this impact the future of HR technology, especially the HRIS systems we all rely on. Read on for more:

Read Article

Ensuring Compliance in HR: How the Right HRIS System Can Help

One of the key responsibilities for any HR organization involves ensuring that the company is staying compliant with all federal, state and local employment requirements. A great HRIS system will automate much of this process for businesses, ensuring that they are able to focus on building their business

Read Article

Understanding the Importance of Data Security in HRIS

The HRIS industry is not immune to data security issues and companies should prioritize a full security audit when they're evaluating and selecting new HRIS partners. Even if you're not a data security expert, there are easy steps you can take to be safer with your employee data:

Read Article

Which HR Systems Are Best for Mid-Sized Companies?

The HRIS market is always changing with new companies coming to market and others getting acquired. In 2022, these are the best HRIS systems for mid-sized companies in the market today.

Read Article

Why Company Size Matters When Selecting an HRIS System

When trying to find the right HRIS platform, one critical evaluation point is to find a system that is a strong fit for your company's size and growth trajectory. If the system is too robust for your needs, you may be paying for more functionality than you need. And if the system is too limiting, you will have manual processes outside of the system inhibiting your efficiency.

Read Article

What are HR Teams Buying in 2019

Based on over 100 solution searches that we've managed this year, we looked at the buying trends from progressive HR teams

Read Article

Why an Intuitive User Interface is Crucial in an HRIS System

It's never a good idea to shop for new HRIS systems, purely based on the look-and-feel of the platform. However, the user interface (UI) of a system is also not something to ignore. A great UI can drive more employee utilization, lower compliance risk and better reporting & analytics. Learn more about how UI can impact an HRIS:

Read Article

When and How To Leave a PEO: Your PEO Exit Checklist

The Professional Employer Organization (PEO) model is becoming increasingly popular, but it is not a fit for every business. When it comes time for companies to leave a PEO, the task can feel very daunting. This guide walks you through the steps required to leave a PEO

Read Article

What Makes a Great Global HRIS System?

More businesses than ever before are embracing a global employment strategy. With the advent of remote work and the talent scarcity in the US, businesses are happy to hire great talent wherever they can find it. But managing a global workforce requires a global HRIS and not every buyer knows what a global HRIS entails.

Read Article

HR Tech Buying Trends for 2019

After assisting with over 150 HR software purchases in 2019, here are the key HR tech buying trends we learned from our clients

Read Article

What to Look for When Choosing an HRIS System

There are over 60 HRIS platforms listed on G2 and even more viable options across the internet. How can one person or one team be tasked with finding the right one? Having the right strategy for your HRIS search is critical:

Read Article

What is an HRIS and How to Find the Right One?

HRIS stands for Human Resources Information System and is considered to be the foundational system for managing a company's people and pay. Learn what features are included in an HRIS, the benefits of an HRIS and how to find the right one.

Read Article

What is an HRIS?

Not sure what an HRIS is? This article covers all the basics you need to know, including: when businesses invest in an HRIS, what functionality you can expect, and how to find the right one for your needs.

Read Article

What Features Are Common In An HRIS System?

HRIS is an acronym that stands for Human Resources Information System. The HRIS is one of the most foundational enterprise systems that a company uses and is considered the 'source of truth' for managing a company's staff and recording employee data. Learn what features are commonly included in an HRIS.

Read Article

What are the Functions of an HRIS system?

HRIS is an acronym meaning Human Resources Information System. The HRIS is the primary HR & Payroll solution that companies use to manage and pay their employees. In this article, you'll learn what features are included in an HRIS, the benefits of an HRIS and how to find the right one.

Read Article

The Software Buyer's Guide To Integrations

Integration is the biggest buzz word in software buying. And yet, most buyers have no idea what it means or how they work. This guide will help you understand integrations and make better buying decisions

Read Article

The Role of an HRIS in Enhancing the Employee Experience

An HRIS is no longer considered a transactional tool for ensuring employees get paid properly and compliance reports are tracked. With modern workforces, HRIS's are the first substantial tool your employee will interact with when they apply for a job, onboard and begin building their employee experience. The HRIS also is the place where employees go to understand their role in the organization, how they're performing and how they're compensated

Read Article

The Best HRIS Vendor for Every Sized Company

Finding the right HRIS system requires buyers consider many factors: costs, features, service, etc. However, the most important factor can often be the hardest to identify: Size Match. Learn more about which vendors work best for which sized companies

Read Article

The Role of HRIS in Employee Onboarding and Offboarding

Discover how HRIS can revolutionize employee onboarding and offboarding processes, making them more efficient and engaging for everyone involved.

Read Article

The Pros and Cons of Your 4 Global Payroll Options

As more mid-sized companies go global, it is important to understand what solutions exist for expansion, global hiring and global payroll

Read Article

The Four Types of HR and Payroll Systems

Whether you're investing in your first payroll platform, or trying to leave your current payroll vendor, it is important to know what options exist in the market and which are best for your business

Read Article

The Best HR Tech Platforms for Every Part of a Company's Lifecycle

As companies scale and their People Operations teams evolve, they have different demands from their HR Tech stack. This article describes the different priorities companies have at each stage of their lifecycle and the tools best equipped to meet their needs at each stage.

Read Article

The Benefits of a Cloud-Based HCM System

Some companies are still wondering if they should make the jump to a cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) system. This article can help you understand the benefits of having a cloud HCM system from recruiting to compliance to the employee experience

Read Article

The 3 Ways to Integrate Your HRIS System With Your Payroll System

Everyone wants their enterprise systems to be well integrated, so that they can have more accurate and real-time data available with less manual intervention. This article walks through the different ways to integrate your HRIS & Payroll systems.

Read Article

The 10 Most Important Features of an HRIS

Before going to market and evaluating various HRIS vendors, it is important to understand what functions an HRIS can serve. Once you know what is possible, then make a decision on which features are most critical for your business

Read Article

How OutSail Is Simplifying Software Buying

Since the vendor broker model is new to the HR space, we decided to share the five most important ways that having a vendor broker can save your HR team time and money.

Read Article

Revisiting the All-in-One vs Best-in-class HRIS Debate

When buying a new HRIS system it is important to decide if you want an all-in-one HRIS system or want a best-in-class HRIS system. Each approach can have it's pros and cons

Read Article

Questions to Ask When Evaluating LMS Vendors

Many buyers feel that they aren't properly prepared when they meet with software salespeople. Having the right questions to ask can make a world of difference in revealing which LMS platform is right for you.

Read Article

Questions to Ask When Selecting a Global PEO Provider

As you look to hire talent internationally, a global PEO can make the hiring process painless. But finding the right provider isn't easy. Here's the questions you should ask to find the right fit

Read Article

Making the Business Case for Your Next HRIS

How to make the business case for your new HRIS: Learn what your IT, Finance and C-Suite cares about, how to speak their language and how to anticipate their objections.

Read Article

HRIS Software Pricing - Understand What You're Paying For

Many companies are flying blind when buying new software systems and it can be difficult to accurately project costs until a purchase is made. In this article, we'll talk about all of the different charges you can expect with a new HRIS, how those HRIS software prices are calculated and what prices you can expect to pay

Read Article

HRIS Requirements Builder

One of the first steps in buying a new HRIS is establishing your functional requirements. This process can be challenging for businesses that don't know what functionality to look for, however. OutSail now makes it easy with a self-service tool

Read Article

How Much Does an HRIS Cost?

This quick guide can help you understand what pricing range you should expect form every major HRIS vendor and what features each can offer

Read Article

HRIS System Security: What You Need to Know - A Comprehensive Guide

Companies are prioritizing data security more than ever before. And given the sensitive nature of employee data that is stored in an HRIS system, it's natural that HRIS buyers have some of the highest security expectations. Learn more about why data security matters and how to identify vendors who prioritize it.

Read Article

How to Integrate Your HR Software Tools

Every buyer wants to have their HR software systems more integrated, but creating an integration between systems is never easy. In this article learn how to talk about integrations, when they are useful and how they can be built.

Read Article

HRIS Buying Timeline

Buying a new HRIS is a large project for organizations. Before committing to the process, it can be helpful to have a clear idea of what steps are involved and how long the project should take.

Read Article

HR Tech Conference Recap: The Most Innovative Company Was A Background Check Company(?)... And Other Observations

Our observations of the HR Tech space after spending three days at the national HR Technology Conference

Read Article

HR Software Trends to Watch As Economies Re-Open

Employment will be forever changed by these past 12 months, and there will be major advantages to the businesses who lean into the upsides and minimize the downsides of this new working world.

Read Article

How to Select the Right Global PEO Vendor

The International PEO industry is one of the fastest growing segments of the HR tech industry. Many buyers are learning about these solutions for the first time. This is a guide to selecting the right vendor

Read Article

5 Steps For Selecting The Best HRIS System

The buying process doesn't have to be overwhelming. These easy-to-borrow steps can help you be deliberate, thorough and efficient.

Read Article

How to Re-Negotiate Your HRIS Agreement During a Recession

As we head into an economic slowdown, it can be important for software buyers to ensure that they aren't paying too much for their annual software subscriptions. With how expensive an HRIS system can be, this is an obvious system to look at initially. Here's how you can renegotiate your agreement for better terms.

Read Article

How to Select HR Software Like a Pro

Evaluating and selecting HR software can be a very high-pressure and time-consuming effort for businesses. HR software effects the entire employee population and is often a big investment. Selecting the right vendor and seeing a positive ROI is possible, as long as businesses take a very structured approach to the process.

Read Article

How to Conduct a Successful HRIS System Demo

Trying to find the right HRIS partner can be challenging work. There are so many quality vendors on the market that can all present polished sales presentations. This makes it difficult to show up to a demo and expect to be able to discern the good from the bad. A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to demo meetings.

Read Article

How to Choose the Right Form of International Hiring

Companies that want to dive into the global talent pool should know their options for hiring people abroad. This is a guide to selecting the most suitable form of international hiring for your business.

Read Article

How To Negotiate An HRIS Agreement

Almost all HR software buyers avoid negotiating their agreements. This is a missed opportunity. Negotiations don't need to involve deception or deceit. Instead, here is an approach we recommend

Read Article

How to Build a Bulletproof Business Case for Your New HRIS

Building a business case at the end of a long HRIS evaluation process can be a daunting task. This article will provide a guide for how to build a strong business case and how to make the process manageable

Read Article

How to Choose the Best HRIS for Your Company Size and Budget

There are hundreds of HRIS vendors in the market today and it would be impossible for one company to evaluate all of the potential options. This article will walk you through some of the planning steps you can take to limit your focus on vendors that are a great fit for your needs.

Read Article

How to Be a Savvy Buyer of Performance & Engagement Software

The right performance management and engagement software can bring great value to businesses, especially as workplaces and demographics change. But many buyers have never purchased these types of solutions and need some guidance on how to make the right choice

Read Article

How Smart Teams Are Finding The Right Software

“Wait a second -- Did someone just have a brilliant idea?” What early adopters are saying about OutSail.

Read Article

How No-Code Platforms Will Change HR Technology

One of the fastest growing segments of the software industry are no-code platforms that allow non-technical users to build custom workflows and automations. No-code capabilities are coming to the HR Software industry and could be a game changer

Read Article

How Long Does It Take To Buy And Implement A New HRIS System

Want to better understand how long it takes to buy and implement a new HRIS? Here is a quick look at the estimated timeline and necessary steps to migrate to a new system

Read Article

How a Data-Centric Mindset Can Improve Your HR Software

Many buyers shop from the top-down. They look at user interfaces, buttons and features, hoping the things below the surface 'just work.' A more successful framework is to build upward from the database-level. Here's how:

Read Article

Five Questions to Ask HRIS Vendors Before You Buy

Finding the right HRIS partner can be a challenging and time-consuming process, especially when so many vendors can look similarly promising. But, understanding the right questions to ask throughout the process can help a savvy software buyer make better decisions. Here are 5 questions OutSail recommends asking:

Read Article

Evaluating Global Payroll & Global HRIS Vendors

Companies are more open than ever before about hiring employees outside of the US. Talent is often hard to find locally, and with the advent of remote work, companies are opting to expand their recruitment efforts overseas. However, employing a global workforce requires having the right global employment tools, such as a global payroll system and a global HRIS. Learn more about what you should look for if you're building an international workforce:

Read Article

Customizing Your HRIS: 6 Tips for Setting Up Employee Workflows

An HRIS is often only as good as the processes that it is set-up to automate. We asked six industry leaders how they've leveraged their HRIS to create time-saving workflows for their business

Read Article

All-in-one HRIS Systems vs Best-in-class HRIS Systems

When buying a new HRIS system it is important to decide if you want an all-in-one HRIS system or want a best-in-class HRIS system

Read Article

Best Practices for Implementing an HRIS System

The hardest part of an HRIS transition is the implementation process. Companies get very excited about their new system during the buying process, but once it comes time to implement the system, many frustrations can emerge. Here are some best practices to avoid mistakes during implementation:

Read Article

Common Challenges During HRIS Implementation and How to Overcome Them

For most HR software buyers, the implementation process can be a black box. Salespeople don't like to talk about implementation during the sales process, since it can distract from closing the deal. Once HR teams sign a contract, they enter the new world of implementation with little context. Here are the key things you need to know about HRIS implementations:

Read Article

Building Your HRIS Requirements

When buying a new HRIS, it is important to determine what features and functionality will be critical to the projects success. This article will speed up your requirements building process, by showing what functionality is available in the marketplace

Read Article

8 Questions To Ask When Buying A New HCM?

Before buying a new HCM system, learn how to ask the right questions to ensure you end up with a product that is aligned with your goals

Read Article

Breaking Down the Cost of HRIS Systems: What to Expect

The HRIS is the foundation of any company's HR tech stack. And while many buyers are focused on the sticker price, there are other hidden costs that need to be factored in when considering a system investment. Learn more:

Read Article

Best Practices for Buying an HRIS

There are simple skills and processes that can help buyers be more effective when purchasing HR software. However, those processes are rarely taught in HR programs or SHRM continuous learning lessons. Here's a quick guide:

Read Article

A step-by-step guide to HRIS implementation for non-technical HR professionals

Many customers that we work with experience increased anxiety as they finish their buying process and move into implementation. Much of the anxiety that surrounds HRIS implementations comes from the fact that most HR professionals do not know what is coming next, since the implementation process is often under explained in the sales process. Here is a brief overview of what you can expect as you transition into implementation:

Read Article

9 Benefits of an HRIS for Employees

Although an HRIS is the foundational system for businesses to manage and pay their employees, some companies are still hesitant to invest in the right system. These are the benefits companies can gain by investing in an HRIS.

Read Article

5 Questions to Ask When Evaluating Cannabis-Payroll Companies

There are unique challenges that cannabis or cannabis-adjacent companies face when evaluating payroll solutions. The federal restrictions on cannabis have led many leading payroll companies to avoid working with cannabis companies. Finding the right provider in a narrow pool of options can be a challenge for businesses. Here's how you can make the most of your evaluations.

Read Article

5 Secret Ways to Vet HR Vendors

Sharing a few tips and tricks we've learned as we've spent an entire year getting to know the HR software landscape

Read Article

6 Ways A Subpar HRIS Is Ruining Your Employee Experience

The right HRIS can have a strong effect on your employee's day-to-day experience and can increase retention, engagement and productivity. The wrong HR systems can do the opposite. Here's how it might look if your HRIS system isn't working for your business:

Read Article

3 Ways to Rule Out HRIS Vendors Without Getting on a Demo

Selecting the right finalists for your HRIS evaluations can save businesses countless hours. But what is the best way to ensure you have the right finalists selected?

Read Article

5 Challenges You Will Face When Buying A New HCM System

Buying a new HCM system requires a wide range of skills and knowledge. If you are starting an HCM buying process, here are some of the key challenges you'll face and the ways that OutSail can ease those challenges:

Read Article

10 Key Features to Look for in an HCM Systems

Human Capital Management (HCM) systems are becoming increasingly important for businesses of all sizes, as they provide a centralized platform for managing all aspects of the employee lifecycle. From recruiting and onboarding to performance management and payroll, an HCM system can streamline HR processes and improve overall efficiency. In this post, we'll highlight 10 key features to look for when evaluating an HCM system for your organization.

Read Article