Despite all the hype about e-learning, the real breakthrough in technology, at least as far as HR goes, is in the development of the corporate intranet for people management purposes.

Bryan Hopkins and James Markham's new book explains the potential for intranets in every aspect of HR: personnel administration, performance management, employee development, communication and knowledge management, as well as training and e-learning. It asks and answers the key questions you need to ask yourself and provides case studies illustrating how organizations have successfully exploited their intranet to help their people work more effectively and efficiently.

HR managers are under pressure to cut costs and to increase the effectiveness and range of the services they deliver. In many organizations there is also considerable pressure to maximize the returns on investment in technology. This book provides you with the means to achieve all of these goals.

Contents: Introduction; Why put the 'e' in e-HR?; How does intranet technology work?; What kind of e-HR is right for your business?; Delivering core HR services; Managing people more effectively; Improving collaboration and learning; Enhancing employees' benefits; Planning your e-HR implementation strategy; Implementing IT systems; Implementation checklist; Glossary; Index.

About the Author: Bryan Hopkins is an independent consultant who specializes in the design of information and learning materials. He has developed and delivered solutions for a large number of clients from both the private and public sectors. His previous book, How to Design and Post Information on a Corporate Intranet was also published by Gower.

James Markham is one of the founding directors of B2E Solutions Limited - a management consulting company that specializes in helping organizations with the design and change management challenges of e-HR, e-learning and other people/technology programmes. He has 15 years' international consulting experience and has lectured in Organization Design and Human Resources at MBA level. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultancy and of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Reviews: '...insightful and well-explained...If your organisation is contemplating the introduction of HR technology, and you need to weigh up the pros and cons before investing in it, this book will be of enormous help. It is well-written and steers clear of IT jargon. Best of all , it promotes the introduction of technology for shared services in a format that is easy to understand.' Personnel Today

'Human Resource Directors ignore the importance of technology in developing their overall HR strategy at their peril. Technology has made enormous strides since those early mainframes in the 70's, first PC's on desks in the mid-80's and the introduction of the internet and intranets in the 90's. In reality, many organisations have had mixed results with integrating technology into their working practices. E-HR is a no-nonsense, comprehensive and practical guide for HR practitioners at all levels in the organisation on how to integrate e-HR into both our practices and our strategic thinking. We all owe it upon ourselves and our organisations to get up to date on the latest thinking in this area and move our function and businesses into the 21st Century.' Chris Woodman, Managing Director Human Resources, COLT Telecommunications, London, UK

'Impressive read, written with a 360 degree view, taking into consideration HR Business details, Systems functional and technical considerations along with Change Management principles. Insightfully written, something to gain for all levels of expertise, including fantastic amount of reference and sources.' Liz Davis, HRIS Manager Europe

'With this book, Bryan Hopkins and James Markham have made a significant contribution to the emergent field of e-HR. It presents a highly informative and comprehensive exploration of the subject, drawing attention to the many elements and variables that need to be considered and carefully factored into any solution. Of particular relevance is the way the book seeks to identify inherent tensions that can surface to frustrate progress - not least the need for the Human Resources function itself to embrace the challenges and become more proactive in finding out who their internal customers are and what they want. This book will undoubtedly provide a source of advice and inspiration to many undertaking the e-HR journey.' Martin Reddington, Former e-HR Transformation Programme Director, Cable & Wireless

'… this practical guide will help you chart your path through the labyrinth, open your mind to new possibilities and save you the embarrassment of asking IT colleagues the sorts of questions your teenage children could probably answer.' Mark Childs, Group Compensation & Benefits Director, Chubb plc and Vice-President, Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development

'It is refreshing to find a book about technology that is written in layman's terms, with jargon, complicated terminology and methodology kept to a minimum ...This interesting and informative book is a 'must read' for any IT professional or HR practitioner interested in learning more about the subject of e-HR.' Personnel Today, December 2003

'…it is a treasure both for the approach to learning e-HR and also the uses it leads them to. The book is a good source of ideas …I am of the opinion that it will deliver a much greater value to the reader compared to the price paid for it.' Effulgence (Journal of Rukmini Institute of Management in New Delhi (Jan-June 2004)

'This interesting and informative book is a 'must read' for any IT professional or HR practioner interested in learning more about the subject of e-HR.' Personnel Today Website, May 2005

This title is also available as an eBook, ISBN 978-0-566-08953-4

Extracts from this title are available to view:

Full contents list

Extract from Chapter 1 - Why put the 'e' in e-HR

Chapter 8 - Planning your e-HR implementation strategy