Does Your HR Software Need an Update?

Tina Samuels

April 08, 2014

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Human resources software does much of the work in the HR department, especially for those that run small businesses and have their hands full with a variety of tasks.

While people are the driving force behind HR, but software makes it much easier to track all of the important factors in your company. From time keeping to payroll, HR software is an integral part of keeping your business running smoothly.

So, how will you know if your software needs to be updated?

Getting Buggy With It

Has your software been hanging up, doing strange things, or taking too long to load? It might be time to update the software.

If the software is a free version, check with the main website where you downloaded the program. There may be updates or fixes for the program. Newer versions are made often in free software communities, keeping them updated is usually fast and easy for any user.

If your software is a paid version you'll need to check the manufacturer's website for updates and fixes or contact technical support.

Sometimes a company will stop supporting older versions of software. You may need to pay to upgrade to a new version. Previous customers may be offered discounts for their upgrade. If no discount is offered, ask for one. Often you can receive a deep discount just for asking.

Does It Fit?

You may need to upgrade your HR software if your company has grown.

Some programs only track a certain number of employees, so if you've hired more people, then you will need to upgrade your software plan or buy a newer version. Programs that require a monthly fee may be upgraded through their customer service or by purchasing a higher tier plan.

Even if you haven't added more employees your company could have grown in other ways. Perhaps your software only offers time tracking, yet you need other features. You'll need to upgrade or change programs. Research the packages offered by each program and choose for the latest version with all of the features you need.

Maybe Your Computer Is The Issue?

If your HR software has all of the features you need, but still seems buggy after you've updated, you may need to check your computer. Even programs that don't need to be updated can act strange on a computer that is old, need maintenance, or is infected with a virus/malware.

Run basic cleaning on your computer- clean the cache, run a scandisk, and clear the start-up. Download a virus scanner or malware scanner and run diagnostics.

Many of these programs are free; one of the most popular is Spybot Search and Destroy. This program can find malware, destroy it, and even help tune your computer. Proper computer care can keep you from having software issues.

If you still have issues, contact the developer of the program or service. Ask for a refund if the software refuses to work properly and change to a different service.

Not all HR programs are created equal. Read reviews to find out if a program is buggy before downloading it for your small business needs.