Recruitment technology rundown: all-in-one HCM vs. agile ATS integration

Ask the next human capital management (HCM) vendor you meet if their platform includes an applicant tracking system. Most of them will respond with an emphatic, “Yes!”  

That answer brings most people a sense of relief. Unfortunately, the data demonstrates that sense of relief won’t last long. HCMs simply can’t meet all the requirements.  

“By 2020, 30% of global enterprises will have invested in a cloud-deployed HCM suite for administrative HR and talent management but will still need to source 20-30% of their requirements via point solutions,” according to Gartner’s 2019 Hype Cycle for HCM Technology. 

The applicant tracking system is one area in which the all-in-one HCM solution just doesn’t work.  

Issues with the built-in ATS in HCM platforms 

Here’s how generic, built-in applicant tracking systems fail organizations: 

• HCMs are created for general purposes. They’re not built for recruiting or talent acquisition. You’ll waste time trying to get that inflexible ATS to work for you. 
• HCM vendors are generalists. Without support from staffing industry experts, you’re open to the ever-changing legalities around hiring. 
• An HCM’s out-of-the box ATS has limited functionality. The HCM can’t evolve at the rate your recruiting needs do. 

Using an ATS that comes with a system like Workday seems like a simple solution. Unfortunately, going this route often leads to costly issues that don’t meet organizational needs. 

Benefits of agile ATS integrations 

We understand the desire for one system that “does it all.”  

That’s where agile integration comes in. Rather than using the limited ATS options available in an HCM, agile integration enables you to use complementary systems. 

The agile approach is different than the costly custom integrations you may have used before. Those integrations require in-house developer hours and are built from scratch. With agile, you have a flexible system built on easily configured interfaces.  

The agile integration method provides: 

• Flexibility: Pre-built applicant tracking software integrations make it possible for organizations to flex to changing needs by using validated tools that meet predefined standards. 
• Scalability: When a framework is in place, you can put applications to work sooner and trust that ATS integrations are scalable and closely monitored. 
• Accuracy: An automated data feed built with advanced APIs reduces the effort to manually enter employee data or switch between disparate applications. It also reduces the risks of human error that come with manual data transfers.   

Rather than being an afterthought, a capability-rich ATS is built with integration in mind. From the initial stages of design, it’s seen as part of a powerful ecosystem of integrated HR technologies.   

Advantages of a singular ATS focus  

The truth is one system simply can’t be all things. Just like you don’t want your foot doctor giving you a root canal, you shouldn’t use your accounting software as an applicant tracking system. 

At iCIMS, we stick to what we know: recruitment and hiring. Our singular focus allows us to go deep with our applicant tracking software. Our technology is also based on more than 20 years of data and experience in the recruitment industry.  

Thanks to agile integration, we’re able to provide the top-tier applicant tracking system you need and integrate it with your other specialized HR platforms. Instead of one system that is all things, these technology integrations allow you to manage your workforce expertly and efficiently. 

Next step: build your business case for a focused ATS 

Rather than squeezing a square peg into a round hole, the agile integration approach enables seamless connectivity between the systems your HR team needs to be successful. This modern approach to applicant tracking software provides you with the flexibility to integrate specialized tools, services, and innovations without disruption to larger HR operations or IT priorities. 

There’s not a single HCM that excels in every area. But with a versatile tech stack that includes applicant tracking software that fits your company’s unique hiring needs, you can have the best of all worlds.   

To learn about how a focused applicant tracking system can meet your organizational needs, download our Guide to Building a Business Case for a Focused and Inclusive Applicant Tracking Software.