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Best of Breed Project. Two goals: Compare a wide variety of HRIS products Collect and share this information in a database Each individual will collect information on several products Each group will prepare a report on the “best of breed” within a product category. Where to get information?.
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Best of Breed Project • Two goals: • Compare a wide variety of HRIS products • Collect and share this information in a database • Each individual will collect information on several products • Each group will prepare a report on the “best of breed” within a product category
Where to get information? • Start with the HRIS product directories • in your course pack • on the web • Contact vendors via phone or email • Get all the info they will send • Get demo versions if possible • Each student should be able to do at least 5
This database was created as an LIR828 term project • The HRIS Product Database was created by Aggie Tran, Kim Johansen and Akio Tsuchida • It is a good example of what you could accomplish as an LIR828 term project • But don’t expect to do a web interface unless you already know how -- it can be a lot of work!
Definitions of fields • Some are self-explanatory (e.g., product name) • Product Function: an overall description of what the product does (NOT an evaluation of how well it does it) • Starting Price: a description (not necessarily a number) that says what the least cost version of the product would be
More fields • Demo available? Is demo software available from the vendor (Yes or no) • Intranet enabled? Does the product have a WWW interface? (Yes or no) • Employee size: Is there a size range that is most appropriate for this product? • Note that for many products, this is irrelevant, because they do not store employee records
Editorial/research fields • Student Editor: enter your name here (so you get credit for your work) • Date of editing: when did you enter the data? • Research source(s): List all of the sources you used: product brochures, corporate web site, product reviews, etc.
Entering product functions • Product functions will be used to search and select records from the database • Choose functions from the combo box • If you need to add a function, go to table maintenance • Describe how the product performs each function that you enter. The default is “contact vendor for details”
Client/server platforms are tricky Client OS Platform e.g., Win95, Mac OS Server OS Platform e.g., WinNT, Unix, AS/400 network Database e.g., Oracle, Sybase...
Entering Platforms • A “stand-alone” program only needs the “Client OS” filled in • A client-server database (like HR/Vantage) needs • Client OS (OS for the client software?) • Server OS (OS for the server software?) • Database (what databases can be used to store the data for this application?)
Data Entry Strategy • See if the vendor is there. • If not, enter the vendor first • See if the rest of the look-up terms are there • Operating systems • Databases • Product functions • If not, you will need to enter them
Accurate Descriptions are Vital! • This information will be published on the WWW • Need to differentiate rumor and opinion from actual product function/performance • When in doubt, you can enter “contact vendor for details”
Full Product List Note: this information is not complete!
Vendor List Note: this information is not accurate!