Frequently Asked Questions

HR software is designed to manage some or all of the elements of HR. This could be a complete HRMS / suite of functionality, or software that delivers individual elements, such as employee self-service, HR administration or timesheets.

Employee Relationship Management is a solution that allows employers build better relationships with their people, improving communication and business processes to develop more effective working relationships and achieve business objectives.

Human capital management (HCM) relates to people resource management. You may come across it in both a technology environment and relating to business strategies. HCM predominantly focuses on people and often includes the every day administrative tasks of HR, with the added caveat of workforce development, reward etc.

A Human Resource Management System (HRMS) is a single, or suite, of human resources software designed to manage some or all of the elements of HR, with the aim to deliver easy processing of data and management of processes digitally.

HCM traditionally refers to a function; HRIS is a HR information system and HRMS a HR management system. Over time these three terms have become increasingly interchangeable with the extensive software available. You can find out more on this at HRMS World. ERM (Employee relationship management) is a newer term, and one that XCD focuses its development on. It goes over and above standard HRIS and HRMS software by helping employers build stronger relationships with their people.

HR software enables the management of some or all elements of the HR function. Employee Relationship software goes over and above this management, helping employers build better relationships with their people and empowering their people to become more productive and effective.

ERP standard for Enterprise Resource Planning, and is a business process management software that allows organisations to integrate their back-office systems, such as finance, people management and services, to provide one seamless solution that prevents duplicate data entry and allows a complete view of data.

With powerful HR technology, you can better manage your company, your employees, and streamline processes for an overall better company that can scale up or down as you need it. Find out more here.

An HR system allows you to get a complete and holistic view of all people data, automate numerous processes, significantly reduce admin time, and provide manager and employee self-service. But there are just a few of the benefits. We explore more here.

A full suite of HR software comprises of functionality to manage HR processes and data management. This would include employee and manager self-service and employee relationship management, performance management, leave, time and absence, expenses, learning and development, recruitment and complete reporting functionalities.

This depends on your business processes and strategy. What you want to achieve with the software is a great first question. Then look for a solution that can be flexible enough to suit your needs and processes, that is future-proofed and built on technology that can sustain your future requirements and is engaging and fitting for your workforce. A reputable organisation should work with you to identify the perfect fit of functionality for you.

Many vendors describe their HR & Payroll solution as ‘integrated’ or ‘combined’. This is not the same as ‘single solution’. Truly single solution HR & Payroll software means all data is held in one database. For example, information added by an employee is immediately available to both HR & Payroll, which operate as one – no integration or combination required. Integrated software usually means data is held in different databases, which talk to each other.

In a truly single solution system, the information required for reporting and analytics is contained within a single source. This means quicker and simpler running of reports and removing the need for different data sets to be combined, therefore reducing the risk of human error creeping into information processing. Find out more here.

This is always a difficult question, but it starts with what you want to achieve. We believe that the most important, and difficult aspect of digital HR is devising clear objectives, then understanding how and what to measure to demonstrate ROI. We explore this further in our blog, 5 ROI factors in digital HR.

Yes! True cloud-based HR systems benefit from the ability to draw on information from multiple sources. What this means is that employees can sign in to a self-service portal to update their information and even input expenses on the go, offering an all-in-one aspect. Find out more here.

We would always recommend building a complete business case to present to your C-Suite. We’ve discussed this in detail in our blog 'Writing a Business Case for HR and Payroll software', and it highlights some key areas you should consider and include.

Digital transformation within HR and Payroll can seem like a mountain to climb, but it’s important to think about what you want to achieve, and why. We have two resources that would help your journey to digital transformation: Digital Basecamp – Measuring ROI in HR, and How HR technology can drive productivity.

When speaking with HR leaders, common themes often appear regarding challenges. Some of the top ones we come across often include a lack of time, people analytics, recruitment and HR technology in general. We’ve explored these topics further in our blogs, HR Tech challenges and The three biggest challenges in HR.

Talent management refers to the overall recruitment process: identifying a vacancy, scoping the role, hiring and onboarding the new employee.

Often referred to as HR data or analytics, people analytics allow employers to gain a complete view of their people and data, and make effective decisions surrounding them. People analytics has seen a huge increase on the agenda in recent years.

Conversations often throw the terms analytics, analysis and reporting around interchangeably. Strictly speaking, reporting is not the same as analytics, which isn’t the same as analysis. We take a look at the differences in all three in our blog.

Global HR Management is a term that encompasses all people activity globally, such as human resources, payroll, performance management, people analytics and talent management.

Workcycles refer to a working arrangement where employees work a regular pattern but different hours each day. The XCD solution supports workcycles in the Employee Relationship solution.

Calculating ROI in HR is always tough, but we believe that the most important, and difficult part is to set clear objectives, then understanding how and what to measure to demonstrate ROI. We explore this further in our blog, 5 ROI factors in digital HR.

We have worked closely with a number of customers to help them identify the real drivers behind their people strategy and build an effective business case to articulate the value of people to the board. We’d be very happy to work closely with you to help you achieve this, which could include objectives, required outcomes, budgeting and positioning. Speak to one of our consultants today to start the conversation. 

It is. We have been HMRC accredited for a number of years. Find out more about our payroll software here.

The XCD solution starts with our Employee Relationships HR software, and offers Payroll and Reward, Time, Expenses and Leave, Recruitment and Onboarding, Reporting and Analytics, Performance and Talent Management, Learning and Development, and our mobile app. Explore our capabilities further here.

We do. Employee and Manager self-service is at the heart of the XCD HR and Payroll solution. And with our mobile app, self-service can be done anywhere, anytime.

It does. Our mobile app allows self-service and management anywhere, anytime on both Android and Apple software.

The XCD self-service capabilities are designed to work on every device, including phones and tablets. Find out more about our mobile app here.

XCD is a single HR and Payroll solution, which means you can have everything you need on one database, making risky integrations a thing of the past.

Yes, absolutely. We work with a number of partners on Salesforce with whom we have integrations already set up, but we’re always open to integrating with a provider who you already know and love. Simply get in touch with us to discuss your requirements further.

No, we don’t. All of our development is done in-house, by direct employees of XCD.

Our HR software costs are based on a traditional Software as a Service (SaaS) model, which means you’ll pay for licensing, and professional services as required.

XCD's HR and Payroll software is priced on a SaaS model, and will depend on your requirements, the number of licenses you require and any custom implementation that is required. Why not get in touch with us today to speak to one of our experts and get a clearer understanding of the cost to you.

Absolutely. We’d love to show you around. You can see a two-minute snapshot of the system here, or book a demo with one of our experts to see the solution in more detail.

Very secure. Because XCD is built on Salesforce, the world’s most popular and fastest growing business cloud platform, our customers benefit from the multi-million-dollar investment in security that Salesforce makes on a continual basis. Find out more about this on our technology page and on Salesforce.

Unfortunately, we don’t offer free trials as standard. However, we may be able to give you a more detailed tour and access depending on requirements. As a first point of call, why not book a demo with one of our experts to start the conversation.

XCD has a number of partners offering different solutions and services based on the needs of our customers. Find out more on our partners page.

We work with a plethora of companies in the public, commercial and not-for-profit sectors. A selection of these are featured in our case studies, but we’d be happy to discuss any specific questions you have, simply get in touch with us today.

To find out more about the Salesforce platform, and why XCD made the decision to build it’s software on it, visit our technology page.

Every customer is different, depending on size of organisation, process complexities and any custom build. Your Business Development Manager will be able to give you a detailed guide to this following a thorough scoping session. However, we do recommend that businesses allow at least 3 months for the implementation of HR software.

Yes. Each new customer gets assigned a dedicated project team and Project Manager and will follow a governance model, which will be overseen by the Professional Services Director.

Our Project Implementation approach follows a “Waterfall” (Staged) Implementation Methodology that follows the principles of Prince2. The XCD Methodology is typically Single Phase but has six Stages: Initiate, Design, Build, Test, Deploy and Closure. Your Business Development Manager will provide you with more information around our implementation methodology.

This will begin during the sales process, where your dedicated Business Development Manager will get to know your teams, your processes and your strategies. Upon commencement of the project, our sales and professional services teams will arrange a formal kick off meeting with your team. This meeting will discuss the finer details of your company and processes. During this stage both the XCD Project Manager and the Customer Project Manager will work together to create a project plan.

All of our customers undergo a UK-led implementation.

Prior to user testing we provide system training to your project team, which can take place on-site or remotely, as required.

As standard, all of our customers get unlimited technical support. Should you need it, XCD also offer a number of support solutions depending on your requirements, which often include training sessions for new staff, regular calls with the team, priority change requests and case management and HR and Payroll reporting.

Yes. All of our staff are fully trained in GDPR and all new starters undertake GDPR training during induction.

This depends on how critical the problem is – the more critical the situation, the quicker your case will get resolved. However, we’re thrilled to boast an average of 24-hour response time across the board.

No, when you become a customer of XCD you will be assigned a single point of contact in the support team. This means no queueing to speak to someone in a call centre – you’ll be in touch with someone who knows the ins and outs of your business at all times.

We partner with Symatrix who offer a managed payroll service on the XCD platform, so if you need to outsource, it’s no problem at all.

Very! Our support team often works as an extended member of your team, from running reports to undertaking data uploads. Speak to your dedicated support contact for more information.

XCD supports its product package through a continuous programme of enhancement and development. These are released several times throughout the year.

The Release process focuses on Upgrade essentials and every customer will receive at least one upgrade per annum, depending on specific requirements and development needs. Your Customer Success Manager will be able to discuss the details with you at your quarterly reviews.

You will have a dedicated Customer Success Manager, who will be your first point of contact.

In 2018 we launched our ideas portal for customers. This is where all customers can submit functionality suggestions, and vote on other people’s ideas! The XCD Product Board then uses these ideas to build the product roadmap.

XCD’s ‘after care’ is designed to ensure that all customers are supported throughout their life with us. Your CSM will actively engage with you regularly to understand your ongoing business challenges and help you identify functionality that could support those challenges. You’ll receive quarterly reviews to ensure everything on always on track.

We do! Our XCD Customer Portal offers the ability to track all case management, submit product ideas and gain help through useful articles, FAQs and guides. You’ll also receive recommendations around ‘hot topics’ that other customers find useful.

We run several events each year for our customers, including our annual XCD User Group. We also run Special Interest Groups throughout the year, focused on specific product functionality and customer requirements.

We support Single-Sign On (SSO) through SAML from all major identity providers. This includes but is not limited to:

• Office 365/Azure Active Directory
• G Suite
• OneLogin
• Active Directory
• Okta