Don't blind date HR tech vendors! Here's how to pick the right partner

Did you know that 43% of Americans have gone on a blind date? That’s a lot of people who are willing to leave their love life in the hands of fate. But while this approach may occasionally work out when looking for a romantic partner, you wouldn’t use it to choose an HR technology vendor, would you? 

Some companies might as well have. A 2019 survey from Deloitte found that only 6% of companies believe their HR technology is excellent—and 65% consider their tech fair at best, if not outright inadequate. 

Before choosing an HR technology partner to spend the rest of your life with (or at least the foreseeable future), it’s important to do your due diligence. To make your research a little easier, here are five signs that it’s a match made in heaven. 

1. They’re authentic

Everyone lies on their dating profile. But when you’re picking an HR technology vendor, you want to know that what you see is truly what you get. 

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. As many companies have discovered the hard way, some vendors will make a lot of promises—but after the contract is signed, they admit they can’t deliver all the promised features just yet. By that point, you’re locked in, stuck in a relationship that doesn’t deliver what you need. 

Look for a vendor that’s honest about what they can and can’t do today. If they’re still working toward adding a new feature or functionality, that’s fine, as long as they make it clear that it’s not yet available and are transparent about the expected timeline. 

To ensure that their current offering aligns with your needs, it also helps to ask for product demos and read customer reviews on independent websites. If customers have had their hearts broken in the past, they’re usually vocal about it. 

2. They’re truly devoted 

Some vendors try to do it all—creating software for HR, IT, and other areas of the business. That might sound impressive, but there’s a downside: it means they’re not dedicating all their time and energy to improving the solution you’re actually going to use every day. 

Let’s face it: HR often doesn’t get a lot of love. And if your vendor is spending all their research and development dollars on improving their IT products, then the HR side of the business can start gathering cobwebs. 

By choosing a partner that commits completely to HR software, you’ll know that your HR tech is getting the love and attention it deserves—so it won’t become outdated within a year. 

3. They make you feel secure

Chances are, you don’t want a volatile relationship with your HR technology partner, marked by security breaches and hacking scares. You want to feel secure and for things to be easy. That’s why it’s important to make sure they meet your security requirements before diving in.

Get your company’s IT security team involved in vetting potential vendors and grill them on topics like encryption, system uptime, and role-based access. After all, you’re the gatekeeper of a lot of sensitive employee information, so you can’t be too careful. The right tech partner will respect that and do everything they can to keep you safe and secure. 

For example, if a vendor offers role-based access, you’ll be able to grant varying levels of access to users, including people outside your organization, such as auditors. These controls ensure that no one can see any employee data that they’re not supposed to, helping to keep sensitive information secure. 

4. They get along with your friends 

To paraphrase the Spice Girls, “if you wanna be my HR technology partner, you gotta get with my friends.” The last thing you want is to go through a costly and time-consuming implementation only to discover that your new tech doesn’t integrate with your other systems and tools. 

Find out what integrations a provider offers, keeping in mind that you may want to add more tools in the future. If it was meant to be, the provider will enable the seamless flow of information and allow you to move easily between different systems without signing in every time. 

5. They’re not looking for a quick fling

You want to work with a vendor that’s as invested in the relationship as you are. But that’s not always the case, as some companies have found when it comes time to implement their new solution only to discover no support is in sight. 

The right partner won’t ditch as soon as you sign a contract, leaving you to figure out things on your own. They’ll be by your side every step of the way, helping you work out the kinks, customize your processes, and ensure a successful rollout. 

Still not sure you’re ready to find the one? Read our buyer’s guide to learn more about how you can vet potential vendors to find the perfect HR service delivery technology for your organization.