Cloud technology isn’t a new development. Many businesses functions utilize it for its wide range of benefits, including efficiency, transparency, and collaboration. But for human resources, it isn’t leveraged nearly enough.

HR teams oversee a wide range of day-to-day operations, such as onboarding new employees, updating employee files, and administering payroll. To perform such a wide array of duties efficiently and effectively, HR professionals need technology that can keep up with today’s mobile and fast-paced business landscape. Unfortunately, more than half of businesses still use an on-premise solution for HR management systems and many HR departments typically rely on more traditional manual techniques.

As a result of these outdated practices, there are a few top challenges HR leaders and teams face. Here are four challenges that can be solved by implementing the cloud for common human resources processes:

Collaboration

To be most effective, HR departments need to master collaboration across departments, from IT to accounting to marketing. The growing mobile workforce creates an even bigger obstacle for operating cohesively across geographic locations. The cloud offers a seamless approach to system integration and collaboration throughout organizations. HR departments may use a variety of apps and platforms for different initiatives, such as performance management, compensation tracking, and applicant oversight. Cloud-based systems allow HR teams to better collaborate on a variety of apps.

Data silos and access: Many of today’s HR processes aren’t confined to human resource teams. For example, employee onboarding touches a wide range of departments: Accounting departments require access to payroll data; IT departments need visibility into asset inventory. On-premise technology makes the data location process much slower and more difficult for HR teams.

Currency

As a behind-the-scenes function, HR is not often perceived as a revenue-generating entity. Without the right tools, HR teams end up spending more time on administrative paperwork and less on strategic projects. Cloud solutions have the power to completely eliminate these manual, administrative duties. HR departments can make significant, strategic progress for moving company initiatives forward by automating admin functions through cloud programs.

Efficiency

Efficiency is a top benefit of software as a solution. HR teams can solve problems in real-time through scalable cloud tools instead of wasting valuable resources on manual processes and outdated on-premise solutions. And the benefits of real-time operations offer C-suite executives and decision-makers better business intelligence. Organizations can take advantage of predictive analytics that come from this technology to stay one step ahead and forecast needs, such as hiring, relocating, and more.

Easy Access to the Company’s Files

Cloud computing makes access to files much easier as opposed to on-site storage because you have the access to all your files anywhere, provided you are connected to a network. It works like this: vendors provide you with access to these files by assigning you a username and a password, which can be used to access the files. Having access to files anywhere isn’t as insecure as it might first seem. Cloud HR software companies are zealous about protecting their information, and we’ve all seen what happens in the past when companies slip up.

Unifying processes

Switching to a cloud-based HRIS lets HR teams better integrate processes internally and across teams. Building on cloud-based platforms like SAP, for example, HR teams can connect previously disparate apps for performance management, applicant tracking and compensation all in one ecosystem. When HR’s core apps live in the cloud, it’s that much easier to embed them into the programs employees and managers use in their day-to-day (including Outlook, Google Drive, SharePoint and Slack).

Instant access to data

Many employers have embraced a modern management philosophy that emphasizes real-time coaching and development – so the information HR teams and managers use to guide their own decisions should be too. Cloud app innovations make it possible for HR departments to transform once manual, time-consuming processes into on-demand action. Pulse survey apps, for instance, let HR capture employees’ job satisfaction and sentiment toward new company policies in minutes, rather than waiting for a biannual engagement survey.