CD-ROM Contents.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

PART ONE: Getting Started.

1. A Few Key Questions.

Do I Even Need HR Technology?

Where Do I Start?

Do I Have to Go Through a "Process" Here?

How Much Is the Process Going to Cost?

How Do I Deal with Vendors?

How Long Is All This Going to Take?

"But I Don t Know Anything About Technology".

What Should I Do First?

Conclusion.

2. Knowing the Trends.

Social and Economic Trends.

Outsourcing the HR Function.

HR as a "Strategic Partner".

From Human Resources to Human Capital Management.

HR Becoming More Technically Savvy.

The Internet Becoming an Everyday Tool.

Conclusion.

3. Previewing HR Software.

Checking Out Features of Low-End Products.

Seeing What Mid-Market Products Offer.

What to Expect from a Specialty Product.

Looking Over Standard Data Fields.

Considering Reports.

Finding Vendors.

Conclusion.

4. Working with Consultants.

A Few Cautions About Consultants.

General Reasons for Turning to Consultants.

When to Turn to a Consultant.

Finding a Consultant.

Conclusion.

PART TWO: Collecting Your Facts.

5 Do You Need a Needs Assessment?

Systematically Defining Needs.

Sample Report.

Conclusion.

6. The RFP: RIP?

What to Put into an RFP.

Ten Common Errors in RFPs.

Ten Useful Guidelines for an RFP.

The Argument for a Short RFP.

Why You May Not Need an RFP.

Conclusion.

7. Scripting the Demo.

Why to Script the Demo.

What to Cover.

Avoiding Pitfalls.

Checking Out a Vendor s Script.

Checking Out a Generic Sample Script.

Conclusion.

8. "Word on the Street": References.

Finding a List of References.

The Kind of References to Look For.

The Kinds of Questions to Ask.

A Few Cautions About Talking with Users.

Conclusion.

PART THREE: Moving Toward Implementation.

9. Preparing and Using a Selection Matrix.

The Matrix and How to Create It.

How It s Used, and By Whom.

Pitfalls of the Selection Matrix.

Sample Selection Matrixes.

Conclusion.

10. Negotiating the Agreement.

Why to Have a Contract.

Whom to Include in Negotiations.

Key Negotiating Points.

Getting Down to It: Negotiating Price.

What Else to Include.

A Few Gotchas.

Conclusion.

11. Selling to Management.

Don t Just Report; Sell.

Emphasize Benefits, Benefits, Benefits.

Present the Results of Your Research.

Lightly Make the Case for ROI.

Conclusion.

12. Planning Implementation.

Setting Up a Project Team.

Setting the Schedule.

Preparing Your Computer Systems.

Training HR and Users.

Aligning Your Business Processes.

Testing the System.

Rolling It Out.

Checking Out a Sample Implementation Plan.

Conclusion.

PART FOUR: Looking Over the Low-End Market.

13. Selecting a Small HRIS Package.

Price.

Vendor Longevity.

Support.

Web or Windows.

Rent or Purchase.

Client/Server, PC/LAN, or Standalone.

Ease of Use.

Flexibility.

Scalability.

Compatibility with Payroll.

Reference Accounts.

Functionality.

Conclusion.

14. The Big Three in Low-End Software.

Common Traits.

!Trak-It HR.

People-Trak.

Abra.

Conclusion.

15. Other Low-End Players.

HRIS from Payroll Vendors.

Smaller Versions from Mid-Market HRIS Providers.

Web-Based "Rental" Solutions.

"Isn t That Number Missing a Zero?".

Conclusion.

PART FIVE: Reviewing the Rest of the Market.

16. Mid-Market Main Players.

iVantage.

Genesys Enterprise Series.

UltiPro.

Abra Enterprise.

hrWindows.

Other Mid-Market Providers.

Conclusion.

17. Exploring Specialty Software.

Time and Attendance.

Compensation Planning.

Succession Planning.

Performance Review.

Benefits Management.

Pre-Employment Screening.

Skills Management.

Employee Self-Service.

Other Specialized HR Needs.

Conclusion.

18. The E-Recruiting Revolution.

Applicant Tracking and Automated Recruiting.

Rise of E-Recruiting.

Conclusion.

19. The Exclusive High End.

Trends at the Top.

The Big Three.

Other Aspirants.

A Cautious Perspective.

Conclusion.

20. Closing Thoughts.

Ambitious Undertaking.

High Stakes.

Streamlined Selection Process.

Risks.

Ongoing Rewards.

Appendix: Software Products Profiled in the Book.

References.

About the Author.

Index.

How to Use the CD-ROM.