If you missed this conversation with Mike Ettling, SAP’s new head of its combined on-premise and cloud HCM solutions, and Bill Kutik, the “father of the HR Tech conference,” you can listen to the interview by using this link. Interview
I found this very interesting as the conversation ranged from Software As A Service (SAAS) vs. Business Process Out Sourcing (BPO) to transitioning HCM solution from on-premise to the could, including a discussion of the road to the cloud via a hybrid solution.
One discussion I did not expect was around the fact that Human Resources is the the least standardized part of the organization and that there are no overarching governing standards as they have in accounting (Generally Accepted Account Principles, etc.). And that the big promise of the cloud based solutions was having standardized HR processes. This lead to a discussion on how on-premise HCM solutions are customized for the unique company HR processes and the impact that this can have on the journey to the cloud. As a result a lot of companies are transitioning to the cloud via a hybrid solution.
Another part of the conversation that I found interesting was the discussion on the frequency and type of updates that customers are starting to expect with a cloud based solutions. Mike made the distinction between UI updates and functional (process) updates. One he felt customers would not have a problem accepting immediately (UI updates), the other, functional updates would require change control (particularly for any multinationals).
In all a very good 20 min. use of my time.
Please listen to the recording, I think you will find it informative.
As a side note, for some time now, I have been posting on topics that interest me, and I hope interest you. I am wondering if you find them of value. If you do find them valuable, could you please remember to "follow" me
