the hr tech maze: finding your way out 😵‍💫

anyone have a map? 🗺️

In partnership with

Happy Tuesday HR friends!👋

Picking up from yesterday’s email all about upskilling your team on AI, today we’re looking at we’re talking about picking the RIGHT HR software. 🧠 

For some processes, AI is the solution. For everything else: there’s some software to make your life easier. But with a software for every part of HR, where do you even start? And how do you know you’re making the right choice in terms of ease of use, and cost? It’s enough to make you reach for the vacation form!

If only I could chat with a real person who knows HR software inside and out?!

If that sounds good to you, then keep reading…👀

In Today’s Edition

Software, every-ware! Where do I even begin?


🛋️ The Break Room: Are you happy with your current HR tools and software?


📚 Human Readsources: CRM software manages candidate relationships in recruitment, Gen Z widely adopts AI for workplace tasks, AI transforming workspace design through data analysis.


This task takes me 5 hours. EVERY week 😭

We've all been there. Those repetitive tasks that we just can't seem to automate or find a better solution for. And those Excel sheets we stitched together are really starting to creak...


Time to see if there is some software that could help!💡


After 30 mins on Google, you're starting to regret your decision. Ads upon ads. Software with names that you can't even begin to pronounce. Market leaders who won't jump on a Zoom unless you're looking at the enterprise plan. Ok, we need some help I think. Luckily there are people out there who do this all day every day...


Presented by SSR

Gartner's 2025 report reveals that 55% of HR leaders say their current tech solutions fall short of meeting business needs.

To address this challenge, you can now use SSR's free HR software matching service to find the best HRIS, ATS, and Payroll Software for your company.

SSR's HR software advisor will tailor a vendor shortlist based on your unique needs, packaged with advice to save you time and money.

The best part: their service is free and rated 4.9/5 by HR teams.

🎁 Special offer for HR Brain Pickings readers:

Book a call with SSR's HR software advisors in the next 24 hours and you’ll receive a $25 gift card — available for HRs in the US and Canada actively seeking new HR software.

Software, every-ware! Where do I even begin?

Remember when HR tech was just fancy spreadsheets and clunky databases? Those days are long gone.


Today's HR solutions are revolutionizing how we work, with AI and automation taking center stage. But according to a recent Gartner study, 55% of HR leaders say their current tech solutions fall short of meeting business needs.


While the promise of better HR tech is exciting, choosing the wrong solution can create more headaches than it solves. We're seeing too many teams rush into expensive implementations without proper evaluation, only to face resistance from employees and disappointing ROI.


The key is finding tools that actually solve your specific pain points, not just jumping on the latest tech bandwagon.


Before you sign that next contract, focus on three things: user-friendliness (because if your team hates using it, they won't), integration capabilities with your existing systems, and clear ROI metrics. Remember, the best HR tech doesn't just automate tasks - it transforms how your entire department operates.


Your future self will thank you for taking the time to get this right.


🔗 Relevant links

👀 TLDR

HR tech has evolved way beyond basic spreadsheets, but 55% of HR leaders say their current tech solutions fall short. While the right tech can transform your department, rushing into the wrong solution creates more problems than it solves. Focus on user-friendliness, integration capabilities, and clear ROI metrics when choosing your next HR tool.

⚡ Takeaway and Try

  1. 📋 Grab your team for a 15-minute "tech frustration session" this week - list out your top 3 most time-consuming manual tasks that could be automated

  2. 💰 Track how much time you spend on data entry or manual reporting for one day - multiply that by your hourly rate to get a quick ROI calculation for automation

  3. 🔍 Review your current HR tools and identify any that haven't been opened in the last month - these are prime candidates for replacement or elimination

  4. 📱 Test drive your HR portal on your phone during lunch - if you find it frustrating to use on mobile, your employees probably do too


📚 Human Readsources

🏢 Recruitment CRM: Building Better Candidate Relationships (Select Software Reviews) - Recruitment CRM software manages candidate relationships and streamlines hiring processes.


⚖️ Gen Z Leads Workplace AI Revolution, Survey Shows (The HR Digest) - Gen Z workers embrace AI tools, driving workplace technology adoption.


📊 AI Reshapes Office Design for Employee-First Workspaces (Work Life) - AI revolutionizes workspace design with data-driven insights for better offices.


Presented by SSR

Overwhelmed by the countless HR, ATS, and Payroll software options? Let SSR’s free HR software matching service simplify your search. Their HR software advisors will tailor a vendor shortlist that best fits your needs—saving you time and reducing your stress.

Best of all, their service is free and rated 4.9/5 by HR teams.

Special Limited-Time Reward: Book a call with one of their HR software advisors in the next 24 hours and you’ll receive a $25 gift card — available for HRs in the US and Canada actively seeking new HR software.

Thanks for reading to the end and we hope today’s edition sparked some new ideas for your workplace! 🧠

We know you’re super busy and really appreciate the little corner of your inbox you let us into 3 times a week. 😀

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