6 Vital Questions to Ask Your Technical HCM Integration Partner

Human Capital Management (HCM) systems such as Workday or Oracle Cloud HCM are powerful tools for mastering employee data, but in most organisations that data is required in multiple places, necessitating integration with other systems to improve overall HR processes.
However, integrating your HCM system can be a complex process that requires expertise in integration and customisation, and that is why choosing the right partner is crucial for providing you with the necessary guidance to ensure you have a solid integration workstream in place.
But with so many vendors to choose from, it can be challenging to know which partner is the right fit for your organisation. To help you make the right decision, we’ve compiled a list of six vital questions to ask your shortlisted partners.

1. What experience do you have with HCM integrations?

The first question to ask your potential integration partner is about their experience with HCM integrations. You want to work with a partner who has a proven track record of successful integrations, particularly with organisations and projects that are similar in size and complexity to yours.
Ask about the size, scope, and complexity of the projects they have already completed, as well as the industries they have worked with.
You should always ask for references and case studies that demonstrate their expertise and experience. This information will give you an idea of whether they are a good match for your organisation or not.

2. How do you approach integration projects?

Different partners will have different approaches to HCM integrations.
Integration projects require careful planning, execution, and testing to ensure that the system works correctly. How do they approach integration projects? What methodology do they follow? How do they handle the specific challenges and risks associated with an integration project including:

• Managing dependencies on HCM setup and data quality
• Technical risks associated to target system capabilities and data models
• 3rd party system vendor engagement

3. What integration options do you offer?

Your integration partner should offer a variety of integration options to fit your organisation’s specific needs. Depending on your system landscape, this could include traditional file-based integration, or increasingly, integration via APIs.
Your partner should be able to provide guidance on which option is best for your requirements and explain the benefits and drawbacks of each.

4. How do you ensure data security and privacy during the integration?

Data security and privacy are essential considerations for any HR system, and it’s crucial to ensure that your HCM integration partner takes these concerns seriously, as the security of your employee data is of utmost importance.
How do they ensure that sensitive data remains secure throughout the integration process and which security measures are in place to protect your data such as encryption, firewalls, and access controls? Do they follow best practices, and are they compliant with data protection regulations such as GDPR? What encryption protocols do they apply?

5. How will you ensure data accuracy?

Data accuracy is critical in an HCM integration, and your partner should have a plan for ensuring that all data is accurate and up-to-date.
How do they manage data validation processes and how will they handle data discrepancies? They should also be able to explain what data control and monitoring tool sets are used. Also, find out how many data validation iterations they plan to conduct. Your ideal partner will have a clear RACI defined, outlining everyone’s role.

6. How will you handle support and maintenance?

Support and maintenance of interfaces can often be overlooked, yet this is a critical component of any integration project.
Verify the kind of support that is offered once the integration project has gone live and also consider your internal skillset and appetite for managing these yourself.

The following are important areas to assess:

• Do you wish to maintain integrations in-house?
• Do you have the expertise or would you need to build a new team?
• Does your partner provide ongoing maintenance and support services?
• What does the SLA cover, and equally important what does it NOT cover?
• Does your partner provide support across multiple time zones?

Conclusion

Selecting the right HCM integration partner is crucial for ensuring success across all your integrations. By asking these six vital questions, you can ensure that you’re choosing a partner with the right experience, HCM specific expertise, and sufficient capabilities required to meet your organisation’s interface requirements.