BoB vs HCM

Experience the Difference With Best-of-Breed Modern Workforce Management

Getting the Most Value From Your People for Your Organisation

With an uncertain economic climate and continued challenges acquiring and retaining qualified talent, it becomes even more essential to implement operational improvements that will enable your deskless shift workers to meet evolving business requirements, effectively manage costs, ensure compliance, optimise labour and protect employee well-being. Our Best-of-Breed (BoB), modern workforce management (WFM) technology delivers scalable, secure and consumer-grade time and task management, rostering and employee communication capabilities that operate in the flow of work and help you achieve operating results through worker effectiveness, automation and optimisation. A growing necessity, these systems have the flexibility to stand on their own or easily integrate with Human Capital Management (HCM) suites to deliver optimal cost management and foster a satisfied, high-performing workforce. Best of the best WFM solutions have demonstrated a larger and faster ROI than bundled workforce management HCM offerings.

Standalone workforce management platforms show a return of $12.24 for every dollar invested.

Implementing dedicated solutions for modern workforce management can decrease turnover by 30 to 60 percent.

More than half of respondents using bundled HCM/WFM solutions would prefer a standalone workforce management solution.

While most HCM platforms offer some level of bundled workforce management capabilities, organisations with more advanced requirements and expectations to manage their large, diverse workforce may find HCM suite providers lack the ability to fully support their needs. These gaps often require costly and error-prone manual processes that prevent organisations from moving quickly to adapt to change.

Bundled Versus Integrated Workforce Management—What’s the Difference?

What is HCM?

• Hiring the right talent • Having all needed skill sets in the company’s workforce

Human Capital Management solutions typically refer to the set of solutions and practices an organisation uses for recruiting, managing, developing and optimising employees to increase their value to the company. Done right, HCM systems and processes result in:

• Managing employees effectively • Supporting employees’ career paths

• Broad set of standard functionality as part of an HCM suite with cost savings promise • Minimal WFM capabilities for time, rostering and employee communication • WFM tools may be insufficient for complex pay and compliance rules, diverse work groups • Used primarily by management and by organisations with salaried or knowledge workers

Standard WFM Features Bundled in HCM

• Dedicated WFM capabilities designed for seamless integration within HCM suites • Expertise developing payroll, compliance, labour optimisation and employee experience solutions • Meets diverse employee group needs with ability to rapidly respond to operational changes • Incorporates access, training, communication and enablement needs of deskless shift workers

Best-of-Breed WFM Integrated in HCM

Gartner Cites Inclusion of WFM as Part of Wider HCM/Payroll Transformation

HCM Suite Functions by Frequency of Deployment

Capabilities that span the HCM Suite

Commonly used in the HCM suite

Frequently outside of the HCM suite if the deployment is across multiple countries, frequently outsource

Not always deployed, dependent on industry and organisation, often provided by a third-party vendor

Less commonly used in the HCM suite, often provided by a third-party vendor

Voice of the Employee

HR Virtual Assitants

Skills Management

Administrative HR

Talent Management

Workforce Management

Integrated HR Service Management

Core HR Data MGMT + Lifecyle Transactions

Position + Organisation Management

Benefits Administration

Payroll Administration

Employee + Manager Self Service

Occupational Health and Safety

Employee Wellbeing

Recruiting

Onboarding

Performance + Goals Management

Career + Succession Planning

Learning

Compensation Management

Rewards + Recognition

Time and Attendance

Absence Management

Workforce Rostering

Take + Activity Management

Labour Forecasting

Fatigue Management

Other Timekeeping

Policy + Procedure Guidance

HR Knowledge Base

HR Contact Center

HR Case Magagement

HR Document Management

Grievance + Disciplinary MGMT

Transition Management

Talent Analytics

Workforce Planning + Modeling

Source: Gartner Market Guide for Human Capital Management Suites.

Employee Experience Technologies (EXTech)

Next-gen WFM can both augment and transform hourly/blue-collar worker business processes. The benefits of next-gen WFM include improved employee experience, reduced managers’ time spent on administrative tasks, reduced training cost and easier management of both employees and contingent workers.

— Gartner Hype Cycle for Human Capital Management Technology, 2022

— Gartner Market Guide for Human Capital Management Suites – 1000+

When WFM requirements revolve around basic leaves and absences or low-to-moderate complexity time and attendance (i.e., nonunionised workers), the WFM module of an HCM suite is frequently used. However, once there are more complex requirements, such as labour forecasting, automated workforce rostering and task management, organisations frequently leverage WFM specialist vendors.

Four Capabilities That Make Best-of-Breed WFM Stand Out

The range of capabilities offered by HCM suite providers has value for employers. But when it comes to Best-of-Breed WFM, the WorkForce Suite stands out for its capabilities, usability, security and overall value to our customers. Because unlike other vendors, delivering the most advanced workforce management solutions is the only thing we do!

WorkForce Software Is the Leading WFM Solution Provider

At WorkForce Software, our sole focus is developing modern workforce management solutions to better enable enterprise organisations with large teams of deskless shift workers.

Personalised to My Needs

Easier to Get Work Done

Having a Say

Feeling Valued

Roster Flexibility

Informed and Engaged

Maintain Compliance

Maximise Productivity

Optimise Labour

Continually Adapt

Consistently Achieve Goals

Be the Employer of Choice

Flow of work, operationally focused with data-powered feedback loops

SMART COMMUNICATIONS

Experience & Engagement

Operational Performance

Enhances work experiences through conducting personalised surveys, capturing individual sentiment at scale and helping employees collaborate, easily access information and receive micro training to do their jobs—providing them with a voice and sense of value.

Experience and Engagement

Uniquely integrated with operational workflows, enables meaningful two-way communication by using employee data in real time to power feedback loops and drive proactive improvement plans. Smart communications strengthen the bond between employees and managers in the moment when work happens and when employee experiences are built.

Smart Communications

Includes all the critical workforce management capabilities needed to optimize an organisation’s workforce: time, flexible rostering, labour forecasting, task management and absence management.

Operational Performance

Modern Workforce Management Uniquely Combines These Components

We are pioneers in our industry as the only global provider of modern workforce management software with integrated employee communications. We’ve made an investment in smart communications that is designed to leverage data, advanced analytics and automation in real time to create personalised experiences in the flow of work and support your ability to adapt and communicate quickly — with the ease of use of a favourite personal app. We are honoured that trusted analysts have recognised WorkForce Software as the #1 WFM solution provider and a pioneer in the development of integrated employee communications.

Mike Morini CEO of WorkForce Software

Our customers’ success is our top priority and this report from SoftwareReviews has special meaning to us because the users of our software gave their candid feedback, earning WorkForce Software the top position above all other WFM solutions.

We are helping some of the world’s leading enterprise brands accelerate their digital HR transformations, moving their workforce management solution from a transactional system of record to a strategic system of differentiation and competitive advantage. Putting our customers first is a core value—and makes us stand out as a valued, long-term partner dedicated to their success. Our customers include global enterprise organisations with large, diverse employee groups and their needs have a strong influence on our product strategy and solution investments.

Our Customers Use WorkForce Software Solutions to Transform the Way People Work

Our Valued Customers

To meet accelerating change with corresponding agility and resilience, organisations must commit to HR digital transformation initiatives that enable both workforce optimisation and breakthrough employee experiences. The decisions you make about your people will define your organisation’s customer and operational success. We’re here to partner with you and bring continuous innovation and collaboration to your company’s most valuable asset—your workforce.

Take Your Next Step Toward Modern Workforce Management

Universal Compliance

Task Management

Data Capture

Absence and Leave

Employee Experience

Rostering

Time and Attendance

Modern Workforce Management Solutions Designed to Optimise the Performance of Your Workforce

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WorkForce Intelligence

AI and Insights That Remove the Noise and Accelerate Intelligent Responses

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WorkForce Experience

Connect Your Whole Organisation: Every Employee, Every Day and Everywhere Work Happens

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WorkForce Performance

Equip Your Team to Do Their Best Work In the Moment

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The WorkForce Suite

Modern Workforce Management for the Modern Enterprise

WorkForce Software is the first global provider of workforce management solutions with integrated employee experience capabilities. Enterprise-grade and future-ready, the WorkForce Suite will adapt to your organisation’s needs no matter how unique your pay rules, labour regulations and rostering needs are while delivering a breakthrough employee experience at the time and place work happens.

Experience the WorkForce Suite

Read the Full Report

Nucleus Research WFM Satisfaction Survey

RESEARCH

Nucleus Research: Users Prefer Standalone WFM Solutions to Bundled HCM Platforms

50%

30%

60%

$12.24

for every dollar invested

VS.

Today, nearly 50 global enterprises count on the combination of WorkForce Software and Workday to support the needs of multiple employee populations.

WorkForce Software and SAP have had a global solution extension partnership since 2015, working with more than 250 clients deploying both SAP and the WorkForce Suite. We have co-developed integrations and have a deep understanding of how the two solutions complement each other within large global organizations.

WorkForce Software is often paired with Oracle HCM. As official partners, we provide uniquely beneficial solutions for more advanced workforce management requirements. Our solutions are also deployed on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), one of the most reliable, performant and secure cloud platforms available today.

Improving Employee Experience with an Effective Time Management Strategy

The SAPinsider HCM and SAP S/4HANA Report

IDC Tech Spotlight: New Perspectives on Intelligent Workforce Management for the Manufacturing Industry

We operate within a large ecosystem so you can easily share data between the WorkForce Suite and your other business critical systems including HCM and ERP platforms, as well as hundreds of best of breed solution providers for payroll, core HR, operations, access control and more. With pre-built integrations to reduce implementation timelines, IT complexity and risk, Oracle, SAP and Workday each partner with WorkForce Software to deliver superior HR solutions without compromise. We work together to meet the workforce management challenges and requirements of our largest, global customers.

No. 4: Integrates with HCM and ERP Systems for Improved Payroll, HR and Operations

— Evelyn McMullen, Research Manager, Nucleus Research

We're proud to be recognised with the 2022 Gold Award in the Innovation of the Year – Business Products Industries category by The STEVIE Awards for our WorkForce Suite, designed to facilitate meaningful, in-the-moment interactions between managers and employees.

Learn Why WorkForce Software Is Rated #1 by Employees, Partners and Customers

Strategic and Employee-Centric: The Next Generation of HR Technology

2024 Gartner® Market Guide for Workforce Management Applications

Deskless shift workers, who make up 80% of all global workers, perform their roles away from desks and computers and often lack access to company systems or an email address, leaving them feeling unsupported and disengaged and leading to higher turnover and lower productivity. Change begins with communication. When there is no simple and consistent way to reach and engage employees, speed to execute is impacted. Policy documents, training manuals and corporate videos don’t keep pace with modern, always-on “YouTube” learners. Deliver communications through consumer-grade apps that your employees are accustomed to using every day, with access to their rosters, timesheets, in-the-moment training, real-time task management and instant two-way communications. WorkForce Software is delivering new and innovative capabilities to enable these deskless shift workers so you can quickly adapt to changing business requirements, employee needs and customer demands.

No. 3: Innovates Rapidly to Support Continuous Business Change

The WorkForce Suite—the Next Generation of Workforce Management

Global Employee Experience Study

Enable the Future of Work with Modern Workforce Management

Employers with large, diverse employee populations have unique workforce management needs, including rostering (for multiple work groups), collective bargaining agreements, overtime restrictions, multi-country policy differences and ever-changing compliance. While HCM suites can be effective for more simplified workforce requirements, best-of-breed WFM provides the deep expertise needed to handle the ever-changing needs of enterprises with large workforces. With the comprehensive solution set offered in the WorkForce Suite—including time, rostering, employee experience, absence and leave, labour forecasting, task management and universal compliance—your organisation has the tools needed to tackle multidimensional workforce needs. Our platform is built to focus on the worker and facilitate their relationship and responsibilities with your organisation. By enabling your employees and direct line managers at the time and place work happens, you reduce the burden of non-productive tasks and many of the daily obstacles that would otherwise prevent them from doing their best work.

No. 2: Provides a Complete Solution for Your Workforce Management Needs

Using standalone WFM platforms can return $12.24 for every dollar spent, decrease turnover by 30 to 60 percent and reduce labour spend by more than 5 percent on average.

The SAPinsider HCM and SAP S/4HANA Report

Gartner Market Guide for Workforce Management Applications Praises Modern WFM Suites

Nucleus Research: Users Prefer Standalone WFM Solutions to Bundled HCM Platforms

Not only does Best-of-Breed WFM deliver a higher return-on-investment than HCM suites, but that ROI is delivered through hard dollar savings in key areas and returns are achieved more quickly than you might expect. WorkForce Software’s Value Engineering team partners with customers to develop ROI models: on average, the typical ROI calculated exceeds 600%, with a seven-to-10-month break-even period. During volatile economic times, best-of-breed WFM delivers the value necessary to maximise your labour investments. The ROI achieved by optimising labour spending, boosting productivity, reducing payroll leakage and keeping employees engaged and in their roles exceeds the cost savings of other HCM approaches.

No. 1: Delivers the Highest ROI—for Both Productivity and Employee Experience

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— Nucleus Research WFM Satisfaction Survey

Info-Tech asked real users what they think about using WorkForce Software, and we’re pleased to share that 97% our customers find high value and satisfaction in our solutions and plan to renew.

• Broad set of standard functionality as part of an HCM suite with cost savings promise • Minimal WFM capabilities for time, scheduling, and employee communication • WFM tools may be insufficient for complex pay and compliance rules, diverse work groups • Used primarily by management and by organizations with salaried or knowledge workers

• Dedicated WFM capabilities designed for seamless integration within HCM suites • Expertise developing payroll, compliance, labor optimization, and employee experience solutions • Meets diverse employee group needs with ability to rapidly respond to operational changes • Incorporates access, training, communication, and enablement needs of deskless shift workers

HCM Suite Functions by Deployment Frequency from Gartner

Learn More

Flow of work, operationally focused with data-powered feedback loops

SMART COMMUNICATIONS

Personalized to My Needs

Easier to Get Work Done

Having a Say

Feeling Valued

Schedule Flexibility

Informed and Engaged

Learn More

Experience & Engagement

Maintain Compliance

Maximize Productivity

Optimize Labor

Continually Adapt

Consistently Achieve Goals

Be the Employer of Choice

Learn More

Operational Performance

Enhances work experiences through conducting personalized surveys, capturing individual sentiment at scale, and helping employees collaborate, easily access information, and receive micro training to do their jobs—providing them with a voice and sense of value.

Experience and Engagement

Includes all the critical workforce management capabilities needed to optimize an organization’s workforce: time, flexible scheduling, labor forecasting, task management, and absence management.

Operational Performance

Smart Communications

Modern Workforce Management Uniquely Combines These Components

Our Valued Customers

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Emotional Footprint Report Champion: WorkForce Software was named Champion in the SoftwareReviews 2022 Workforce Management – Enterprise Emotional Footprint Awards for the fourth year in a row.

Click to View the Full Emotional Footprint

View WorkForce Software's Awards and Recognitions

We believe that true success is measured by the experience and value we deliver to our employees, partners and customers and by how we continue to work together to lead the future of the modern workforce. We are humbled and proud to be recognised as the #1 workforce management vendor year after year—not only from a product perspective but also as a company that our customers trust and want to do business with.

Why WorkForce Software

WorkForce Software Named #1 for WFM Innovation, Integrity, and Reliability

Stevie Gold Award Winner for HR Technology Solution Provider of the Year

WorkForce Software Leads Again in WFM Tech Value Matrix

WorkForce Software Named #1 Workforce Management Provider 5 Years Running

Why WorkForce Software

View WorkForce Software's Awards and Recognitions

Get the full report

Emotional Footprint Report Champion: WorkForce Software was named Champion in the SoftwareReviews 2022 Workforce Management – Enterprise Emotional Footprint Awards for the fourth year in a row.

Learn more

of customers plan to renew their software license

97%

Info-Tech Releases Buyer Experience Report for WorkForce Software: Real users share what they think about working with WorkForce Software and rate us the #1 trusted workforce management solution provider.

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U.S. News & World Report’s Best Solution Provider for Large Enterprises: WorkForce Software was named the best enterprise workforce management solution provider for the exceptional value it delivers to its global enterprise customers, including some of the world’s largest brands.

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Click to View the Full Value Matrix

Top Leadership Position in the 2024 WFM Value Matrix: For the tenth year running, Nucleus Research named WorkForce Software as the leading workforce management vendor for the value, functionality and usability of our solutions.

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Click to View the Full Emotional Footprint

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The Software Report's Top 25 HR Software Companies of 2024: As the global HR market experiences a dramatic shift toward digitisation, WorkForce Software is honored to be recognised for enhancing business efficiency in employee management operations.

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The Software Report's Top 25 HR Software Companies of 2024: As the global HR market experiences a dramatic shift toward digitization, WorkForce Software is honored to be recognized for enhancing business efficiency in employee management operations.

Learn more

of customers plan to renew their software license