HR Pulse - Spring 2009 - (Page 45) Bringing Technology into the Fold Health care organizations looking to implement an efficient workforce management system are increasingly turning to technology. By automating tasks such as scheduling, absence management, shift bidding, and callback procedures, among others, administrators can help optimize the workforce. They also can positively impact their bottom line by considering Web-based solutions, which provide the same benefits of traditional software packages or Web-enabled solutions but with far less set-up and fewer management costs. The differences between Web-based and Web-enabled applications are significant. Web-based systems use the Internet as their platform and have no additional software requirements. Web-enabled systems are modified software applications that provide Internet capability through the use of an entry point or add-on software. Because Webenabled systems utilize client-server technology, not Web technology, they involve added costs for deployment and support. Additional software needs to be purchased, distributed, installed, and maintained on all user workstations and laptops. In contrast, Web-based systems are customized and updated on the server so that all users log onto the most current software version and the same data regardless of geographic location. Additional advantages include: • Broad accessibility: By leveraging the Internet, Web-based applications provide secure access to information from any computer with Web browser software and Internet access. • Ease of set up: Web-based applications require no installation, configuration or hard drive space, eliminating the time and expense required to install and configure new software packages at each work station. • Ease of management: Because the vendor handles all system upgrades and enhancements, the latest updates are instantly available to all users whenever and wherever they access the application. • Cost reduction: Web-based options can reduce or eliminate many upfront and ongoing expenses such as those associated with deployment, software licensing, operational, and maintenance. Immigration processing provides a compelling example of the advantages of using an innovative Web-based solution. Hospital employers looking to hire foreign workers can find multiple benefits in a technology-based immigration solution including reduced paperwork, optimal response times, 24-hour access to information, minimal redundancies, and easy workflow. Moreover, approval rates with a technology-based model are higher than those achieved via the traditional model. By all appearances, the health care worker crisis will be with us for the foreseeable future. Hospital administrators who use all the workforce management tools at their disposal will be in a better position to not only weather the storm but to attract the best and brightest talent that will provide unequaled patient care in the years to come. ■ Robert Meltzer is the CEO of VISANOW, the industry’s leading electronic-based immigration service provider. When Worker fell, he called for Help, but Confusion came instead. ZurickDavis conducts leadership searches for health care organizations, filling management and physician leadership positions at every organizational level from Trustees and CEOs to Department Directors. » ZDexec for Executive Search At last Help came, and Help knew what to do. In times of emergency, are your employees Help? Have the Red Cross train your employees where they work. Contact your local chapter. » ZDmd for Executive Physician Search » ZDcoach for Executive Coaching » ZDinterim for Interim Search See our website at www.zurickdavis.com or call us at 781.938.1975 350105_ZurichDavis.indd 1 HR Pulse Spring 2009 7:42:19 PM 45 10/3/07 http://www.redcross.org/ http://www.zurickdavis.com
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