Information Technology
The following are some of the functional activities performed by HRIS in addressing Information Technology in Human Resource Management..
Database design and Development
HRIS is responsible for the development and maintenance of databases that support the needs of the HR functional areas. For instance, the job postings processed by the Employment Department on the Employment website reside on a database maintained HRIS.
HRIS also maintains a database used the Office of Total Compensation to process performance appraisal data and information.
Document Imaging
Another major objective of the Department of HRIS is to develop electronic historical employee records for the University. HRIS maintains the Official Personnel File (OPF) which is the primary repository for the University's workforce. To date HRIS has imaged records of all employees on the payroll as of January 1, 2004.
Further initiatives will address the imaging of documents regarding employee separations and all transactions pertaining to wage employees.
PC Support
While Howard University has a technical support staff, Information Systems and Services (ISAS), to manage computing issues on University computers, HRIS handles support functions for HRM. HRIS serves as the first level of support for the HR staff which may include initial setup and configuration, trouble shooting, security and any software/hardware related problem that impacts their individual workstations.
Web Administration
One great way for an organization to communicate to its employees is through the Internet or Intranet. To this end HRIS establishes and maintains an HR website (http://www.hr.howard.edu) that supports the collection and deployment of HR information and promotes HR professional and technical services. HRIS maintains the website on an HR server that resides on the University's Network system.
The Online_Faculty/Staff_Directory is another web application that is maintained by HRIS. This application serves as a telephone directory and employee locator for faculty and staff currently working at the University.