3 tasks to complete in preparation for HRMS demos

HRMS demos are an extremely helpful part of HRMS selection. They give you an initial understanding of functionality and system performance as well as a glimpse into the user experience which will impact your entire company’s population if you are implementing manager and employee self-service. To make the most of an HRMS demo be sure to complete these tasks in advance so that you are positioned for success.

1) Document requirements and expectations

A vendor usually has a set presentation and HR demonstration for potential customers who provide no insight into their HRMS needs. To make it a productive session, prior to the HMRS demo, document your requirements and share them with the vendor. If you have particular pain points in your current HRMS such as managing the contingent worker lifecycle or end user reporting, provide these scenarios to the vendor and ask to have them included in the HRMS demo.

Recommended Reading: make the best selection decision possible using our step-by-step guide to mastering HRMS demos

2) Research the vendor

Most HR and HRMS professionals have a strong network of colleagues across industries and locations. It is helpful to tap into your contacts who are using a potential HRMS or who specifically chose not to use it. Are their reasons still valid? Do they have any concerns or difficulties with the software or support options? While the sales team of an HRMS vendor will provide many details about their product, it is helpful to have some background information in place prior to listening to a sales pitch in an HRMS demo. It will also help to uncover any large misalignment of expectations, such as your company’s requirement of immediate support for HRMS downtime when the vendor does not offer that option.

3) Review the software

Most HRMS vendors now put short pre-recorded demos on their website, showcasing their functionality and modules. While they do not replace an in-person, personalized HRMS demo, they should be a prerequisite for anyone who is attending the demo session at your company. Watching a demo in advance allows you to get an initial understanding of the software as well as to start to formulate questions and ideas about it. As an in-person HRMS demo may be a short meeting, you need to come fully prepared to take full advantage of it and advance reviews like this will help.

A final tip: As you’re watching your HRMS demo, it is helpful to appoint a note taker for any follow-up activity to avoid future disappointment because of an incorrect HRMS choice. For example, I’ve seen demos where the vendor is not aware of how to execute certain functionality online or there is insufficient test data to do so, such as an audit report, however the functionality was promised to exist. Upon purchasing the HRMS and in the implementation phase the customer learned that the audit function was ‘under development’ and would not be available at go-live.