HR Software Platforms

HR software platforms provide a powerful solution for everyday HR processes and strategic planning. They offer a seamless and integrated platform for managing and processing everything to do with HR, from managing employee data, to payroll, expenses, benefits, recruitment, on-boarding, training, absence management, workloads, performance reviews, holiday management and more.

What exactly is a HR Software Platform?

A HR software platform is essentially software technology that allows businesses to handle all of their HR administration, payroll, benefits and talent management all in one place. There are various types of HR software platforms that differ slightly in their features and functions from basic Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) to Human Resources Management Systems (HRMS) that combine many human resource functions.

What is a cloud-based software platform?

A cloud-based software platform makes software available to users over the Internet, usually for a monthly subscription fee. HR software as a service (SaaS) is a powerful platform providing the HR tools required to manage and understand the people resources within your business.

What differentiates desktop software from cloud-based software?

Generally, cloud-hosted solutions have many more advantages over desktop software. Here are some of them:

• Cost - Cloud recruiting software offers minimal upfront costs and flat monthly overheads - Breathe’s HR software subscription fees start at just £11 per month (excluding VAT) - whereas desktop software is costly to buy and install. Upgrades for desktop software are also usually compulsory and expensive. Breathe operate a 2-week development cycle following feedback from customers at no extra cost.
• Scaling - Desktop software is installed on specific computer hardware based on the number of licenses purchased. Purchasing additional desktop licenses can be expensive. Cloud software is much more flexible and easier for businesses to scale without significant costs. Breathe’s pricing is based on the number of employees, so it is simple to scale as your business grows.
• Data - For desktop software you will need an IT specialist to ensure data is securely stored, backed up and GDPR compliant. But with a cloud solution you don’t have to worry about data storage, back-up or recovery. It is all managed by your provider at no extra cost – and in terms of cost, it is covered by your monthly subscription.
• Security - With desktop software, your data is only as secure as your internal system. When things go wrong with desktop data, restoring information takes time, and without a proper disaster recovery plan, data could be lost forever. You’ll also need to ensure your data is backed up daily. With Breathe’s cloud-based HR software, your data is secure and is automatically backed up. Breathe takes data security extremely seriously, we are ISO27001 accredited  and you can rest assured your data will be safe, find out more here:

Why use HR Software Platforms? 

The age of paper forms and filing cabinets is over. A new era of HR management is being offered through HR Software Platforms, which replaces outdated manual HR methods and enables the management of all HR processes from a single online system.

If you are overwhelmed with HR admin tasks, a cloud-based HR Software solution will ease the pain, offer efficiency, prevent timewasting and make HR admin run like a dream.
HR Software Platforms enable organisations to manage employee records and information, deal with all aspects of HR, including recruitment, applicant tracking and on-boarding in an integrated system.

People are a business’s greatest asset. With HR Software Platforms, many HR processes are automated and streamlined, allowing HR professionals to concentrate on the more human side of HR. HR software will help you to optimise employee engagement, improve employee relations and increase productivity.

It is important to look for a HR software platform that suits the size of your business and includes the functionality that will make your HR processes more effective and efficient. Breathe, for example, have developed software specifically for SMEs.

As well as the basic management of employee data, features you may want to consider are payroll, expenses, benefits, recruitment, on-boarding, training, absence, workloads and timelogging, performance and holiday management, absence management, reporting and document management (all part of Breathe’s software).

Another useful feature is an API - also offered by Breathe. This enables you to seamlessly integrate your HR system with the other software you use in your business.

What types of company use HR Software Platforms? 

All types of businesses use HR software platforms from small organisations to large companies. Breathe’s HR software has been designed specifically for SMEs.

How much does it cost? 

One of the great advantages of using a HR Software Platform is the cost. The traditional desktop software relied upon in the past is expensive to buy and requires technical expertise to install and maintain.

Cloud-based software, on the other hand is much cheaper, with the cost spread over flat monthly or annual subscription fees. Breathe’s monthly subscription is based on the number of employees in your business, with fees starting at £11 (excluding VAT) for micro-businesses with up to 10 employees. See more information on our pricing plans here.

Is there a set-up fee?

No. Breathe doesn’t charge a set up fee, so unlike desktop software solutions, you won’t be hit by a hefty investment to get started. Simply sign up to our free 14-day trial and if you like us, you can keep the service by paying the appropriate monthly subscription fee.

How do I access Breathe's HR Software Platform? 

You access our software online when you log into your account. You can do this from any device, anywhere you have an internet connection. For a free trial with Breathe, simply sign up and get started. You don’t need to give credit card details. We don’t lock you into a contract, and you can cancel anytime.

Can you set up different access levels?

Yes. You can set access levels for all of your staff. Employees have personalised logins which determine the functionality they can use.

Do I need an IT specialist to set anything up?

No. That is the beauty of software as a service over the Internet. You don’t have to set any software up – you simply sign up and log into your account. You don’t have to worry about downloading software onto multiple computers or have the bother of keeping software on individual computers up to date.

Do I need training to use the software?

Breathe HR software is easy to use. You don’t need any technical knowledge. Our short video guides talk you through how to use each function. If you have any queries, simply speak to us through our online chat or pick up the phone and give us a call. We want you to get the best out of Breathe and are here to help.

HR Software: software that enables you to manage a range of HR functions from basic administration, and holiday and absence management through to performance evaluation and strategic reporting.

Software platform: the basic operating environment or system on which software applications are developed and run.

API: an application program interface is a set of protocols and tools which specify how software components should interact. It is essentially a software intermediary which allows two software programs to talk to each other.

The cloud: is a metaphor for the Internet. It means storing and accessing data and software over the Internet rather than using onsite hardware for the same purpose.