Integration and Interfacing – Truth by
Definition |
Interface –
“Between”
The root of the word interface,
“inter” can be translated as “between”.
For example: “interpretation” is the effort to
translate words “between” two people, “intercept” is the
redirection of something between two people, and
“interoperability” is the common functionality between
two things.
“Inter” is an action that occurs between two or more
entities.
In
regard to HR and Payroll products, an interfaced
solution is one that has two distinct products that work
together to achieve a common goal.
The products may not be from the same vendor, may
not be in the same development language and may not run
on the same platform.
While Technical Difference, Inc.
has developed
interfaces
between People-Trak, a Windows based
product developed in Visual Basic and other Windows
based Payroll products such ADP®, PayChex®, Timberline®
and many others, we have also developed interfaces
between People-Trak
HRIS and products running on IBM
mini-computers running an entirely different operating
system, development language, and protocol.
These interfaces are not limited to payroll,
either. Interfaces have also been developed for both
benefit and timekeeping solutions as well.
Some clients even have multiple interfaces
running to ensure that all data is moved correctly
between various products.
In general, if an HR product and a Payroll or
other product can find a common way of communicating,
they can be interfaced.
In some cases, a “seamless” interface can be
created that makes it seem like the two products are
integrated, but if there are two products, they are not
integrated, they are interfaced.
Integrated
– “Single”
The root of the word “integrated”
can be translated as “one or whole”.
For example, an integrated TV/DVR player is a
single component that has a TV and a DVD player.
An iPhone® integrates a telecommunications
device, an MP3 music player and an email processor.
An integrated solution of any type is technically
a single solution with multiple capabilities.
In an integrated HR/Payroll product, there is
only one product, with one program and one database.
However, that product can perform two relatively
distinct functions.
It can process HR and it can process payroll.
Misrepresent – “Lie”
There should be no definition
required here.
However, some vendors will claim that they are an
integrated solution and they are not. They may have both
an HR product and a Payroll product and they may work
together, but they are not necessarily a single entity.
In many cases, the products were not even
developed by the same company.
If a payroll software company buys an HR
software
company or vice versa and the company quickly announces
a new integrated solution, they are probably stretching
the band of truth.
Until such time as there is a single product driving a
single database, it is an interfaced product, not an
integrated one.
Where We Stand
People-Trak is not currently an
integrated solution. We do not offer payroll processing
alongside our HR capabilities. However, we can interface
to any payroll product that will allow communication
between us. In fact, over the past 18 years, we have
developed hundreds of different interfaces to a wide
variety of payroll and time clock products.
If you are responsible for payroll and HR,
benefits and HR or timekeeping and HR, and would like to
eliminate redundant data entry, discuss your needs with
your account representative.
If our
HR software can talk to your Payroll, we
can make your life easier.
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