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

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

The HRIS Product Database

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!

Product information form

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

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

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.

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”

Client/server platforms are trickyClient OS Platform

e.g., Win95, Mac OS

Server OS Platform

e.g., WinNT, Unix, AS/400

network

Database e.g., Oracle, Sybase...

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?)

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

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”

Tabs at bottom for Product Functions and Platforms

Vendor information is entered on a separate form

Lookup tables have separate forms

Product Functions

Operating Systems and Databases

Reports have a separate menu

Full Product List

Note: this information is not complete!

Vendor List

Note: this information is not accurate!

Database Structure