Utility firm to integrate IT systems for better HR

Scottish Power is to overhaul its human resources (HR) and payroll operations and introduce integrated IT systems.

The utility firm believes that the Human Resources Information System, which it plans to start installing early next year, will improve the way in which managers and HR consultants handle and respond to information about its 8,000 UK staff.

Scottish Power wants to consolidate payroll, recruitment and performance management information into a single system to give managers better access to employee data on a secure, permissions basis.

'We are hoping that we will become more data driven, which will help us make more informed decisions,' said Joanne Inglis, HR business partner at Scottish Power. 'At the moment we have very manual processes, which means we sometimes have issues in terms of time and quality of service.'

Having put the contract out to tender in July, Scottish Power is assessing potential IT suppliers. The chosen supplier will build a core data repository, which HR and managers will be able to use to analyse employee performance, grievances and disciplinary cases.

By integrating different databases and business processes, Scottish Power hopes to reduce time wasted on conducting manual administrative work and at the same time improve responses by giving managers faster access to data.

'We are looking for an integrated system so that managers can get better access to information without having to go through a third party,' said Inglis.

'We want to create a core repository of data so we can provide a single view of information across the business.'

Scottish Power also plans to introduce self-service capabilities, allowing employees to access their own records and update personal details and expenses.

Learning management systems and training records will be stored electronically, allowing the HR department to build a clearer view of staff skills and course bookings, while an absence management module will be used to record sickness and holidays.