Xerox PeopleNet - Creating IT/HR Synergies

TABLE I
Xerox PeopleNet MODULES

Employee recognition programs
Phone Directory
Company-wide electronic bulletin
Stock quotes
Calendar-based reminder system for key HR activities
Work group organization charts
Total cash compensation
Employee demographics

Personal and salary information
Training transcripts
Training catalog
Profit-sharing fund balances
Retirement planner
Benefits guide
The human resources policy manual

Source: Microsoft User Story “Xerox PeopleNet,” www.webfrontier.tridec.com.

Xerox PeopleNet cost Xerox around $2 million. However, its benefits far outweighed the investment. The solution helped Xerox accomplish its objectives of empowering its people, increasing satisfaction and boosting productivity. In addition, online publication of the human resources manual and other publications saved approximately $1.5 million annually in printing costs. Online transaction processing and electronic signature approval capabilities added later saved another $1.1 million annually by eliminating manual forms and paper-based processing.

On the hiring front, managers could open the Xerox PeopleNet application on the desktop, create a posting on an online form and post it immediately on a central electronic bulletin board. Any interested Xerox employee could then print an application form and submit it to the hiring manager in paper form. The paper element was to be completely eliminated over a period of time and internal job applications were to be processed entirely online. The system included a feedback feature that let employees suggest new ideas and improvements. As a result, employees were able to monitor their profit sharing and retirement plans and change their contributions from their desktops itself.

Interestingly, Xerox PeopleNet seemed to have had certain undesirable results as well. Commenting on the massive layoffs by Xerox during the 1990s, analysts said that so long as software such as Xerox PeopleNet continued to render personnel redundant, the trend of manpower trimming was likely to continue. However, Mihara seemed to be rather pleased with Xerox PeopleNet, “We now have a vehicle for accomplishing our objective of empowering managers and employees.”

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Study the software development process of Xerox PeopleNet and comment on the rationale behind opting for ODBC. Also comment briefly on the system architecture of Xerox PeopleNet.

2. Why did Xerox decide to go for a phased development approach (prototyping) for Xerox PeopleNet? Explain how the company reaped the benefits of the system.

ADDITIONAL READINGS & REFERENCES:

1. Zarrow Carol, Working smart, www.cio.com, January 5, 1996.
2. Parkes H. Clara, Power to the people, www.dbmsmag.com, April 1996.
3. Tridec Development Corporation – the Right Approach, www.tridec.com.
4. Microsoft User Story “Xerox PeopleNet,” www.webfrontier.tridec.com.
5. www.webopedia.com