The Basics - HRIS vs ATS

Both key weapons in the arsenal of any hiring team, but often confused. We'll explain the differences between the two and make sure you're using the right tool for the job...

What is an HRIS?

An HRIS, or Human Resource Information System, is a software application that is used to manage and automate various HR functions, such as employee records, benefits, and payroll. HRIS systems are designed to streamline HR processes and make them more efficient and effective. They often include a range of features, such as employee self-service portals, performance management tools, and reporting and analytics capabilities.

HRIS systems can be used to manage various HR functions, including employee records, benefits, payroll, and performance management. By using an HRIS, companies can improve their HR processes, reduce the amount of time and effort required to manage HR tasks, and gain insights into the workforce that can help inform decision-making.

What is an ATS?

An applicant tracking system, or ATS, is a software application that is used to manage and automate the recruiting and hiring process. ATS systems are designed to help companies efficiently and effectively manage the flow of job applications and resumes, and to identify and evaluate potential candidates for open positions.

ATS systems typically include a range of features, such as job posting and applicant tracking capabilities, resume parsing and storage, and candidate communication and scheduling tools. By using an ATS, companies can streamline their recruiting and hiring processes, reduce the amount of time and effort required to manage job applications, and improve the quality of their candidate pool.

Whats the difference between an HRIS and an ATS?

The main difference between an HRIS and an ATS is the specific HR functions that they are designed to manage. An HRIS is mainly used to manage and automate various HR functions, such as employee records, benefits, and payroll. An ATS is mainly used to manage and automate the recruiting and hiring process.

While both HRIS and ATS systems can be used to manage HR processes and improve efficiency, they focus on different aspects of HR and have different features and capabilities. HRIS systems are designed to manage a broad range of HR functions, while ATS systems are specifically focused on the recruiting and hiring process.

HRIS and ATS Integrations- What are they?

HRIS software integrations refer to the ability of HRIS systems to integrate with other software applications and tools. HRIS systems often have built-in integration capabilities that allow them to connect with other systems and exchange data. For example, an HRIS system may be able to integrate with a company's payroll system, allowing employee data and payroll information to be shared and updated automatically.

HRIS software integrations can provide several benefits to companies. They can help to improve the accuracy and reliability of HR data by ensuring that information is up-to-date and consistent across systems. They can also make HR processes more efficient and streamlined by eliminating the need for manual data entry and other labor-intensive tasks.

HRIS software integrations can also help to improve the overall user experience by making it easier for HR professionals and employees to access and manage HR information. For example, an HRIS that integrates with a company's employee self-service portal can allow employees to easily view and update their personal information, access benefits information, and more.

For example, here at Voyse we build integrations to automatically fetch jobs from ATS and HRIS systems, and create exciting candidate experiences without having to manually create, delete and these experiences for each role as they come and go.

How do I pick an ATS or HRIS?

There's no easy answer as it will broadly depend on your business requirements and size, but starting with trusted user reviews such as TrustRadius or G2 is always a good place to start. It may also be worth asking the opinions of users on community groups or Slack channels such as #people and get their experiences with their current vendors.