One of the most difficult tasks facing us today in explaining what can be on a human resources intranet is actually showing how it works. By its very definition of "intra", these systems are generally "in-house" tools available only to those with the "key" or electronic password to gain access. While it is the norm these days to just point to a URL (universal resource locator) or web site address, to explain what's the latest development on the web, the URL's, even if known for corporate intranets are locked up even if you know the address.

There is at least one exception, and those of us who speak/write/consult on this topic are extremely happy its there, its Apple's "Acme Fruit and Nut" site. This site is a good example of what can be done on a corporate intranet. Not fancy, but it does contain most of the major components of a company intranet. Check out their site at: http://www.caribinfo.com/intranet/AcmeFruit-Homepage.html

This site, originally developed by Apple, shows what corporate intranet can look like, complete with many human resource functions such as employee self service and company policies (employee handbook). This site will even let you play "employee" and go in and change your benefits profile and change your home address, emergency contact information, etc.

Another way to find out what is being done by organizations today in the development of HR intranets is to attend one of the popular 2 to 3 day seminars organized for this purpose. Luckily many of these mini-conferences are being held in Canada, with several in Toronto, and more recently some in Montreal and Ottawa. I have attended several of these and participants find it worthwhile to air lift in from all parts of the country to share in the experiences of companies who have completed major HR intranet projects.

Recently I had the honor to chair a 2 day conference followed by a one-day workshop, for the International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC) in Toronto. This event was attended by a large number of people from all over Canada and some from the USA and it was most encouraging to see so many Canadian companies sharing their success stories. I will share a bit of what went on over the three days of the conference.

Sally Grande, Manager, HR Intranet for the Bank of Montreal shared the bank's experience in their major project where they developed procedures that enabled HR managers to have direct input into how they moved applications to their intranet. The bank's experience has been a very positive one and Sally is much in demand these days to tell the bank's story. Sally recently presented at the Greater Toronto Chapter of IHRIM (International Association for Human Resources Information Management) where a sold-out audience shared in the experience. Sally will be presenting again in June at the Canadian Institute, but more on that later.

At the IQPC conference, Rich Schwartz, Director, Compensation, Benefits, and HR Systems for Hewlett-Packard Canada, Inc. shared how HP has used the intranet to streamline many of the activities identified in their business process re-engineering (BPR) studies. All too often we hear of exciting BPR projects where the recommendations get shelved for lack of a proper set of tools to implement some of the good ideas from the team. HP put their ideas to work and used their intranet to deliver their new pension program. HP saw immediate benefits for both HR and employees and are proceeding with automating many other areas, including interactions with external business partners.

Catherine Gibson and Gloria Ting from the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training spoke on developing an HR Intranet on a Shoestring Budget, sharing that you do not need to spend millions to get started. Their intranet was warmly received by ministry employees and the good news is they want more.

Toni Wells with Canadian Tire Corporation presented the story of how information and technology are often key enablers to employee growth and empowerment. They shared the case study of how they obtained corporate support for their HR intranet.

Rita Rocys, Associate Director of HR at Bell Canada spoke on the development of Bell's HR Information Centre. Bell, like many of the companies presenting at this conference, are also implementing a new Human Resource Management System (HRMS) and turned to the intranet to promote employee self-service. Many organizations are turning to intranet solutions to streamline and fully integrate their HR information processing, including the capture of information from employees, line managers, and even more so with the distribution of reports to those who need the information.

Estell Vincent-Fleurs, Manager Employee Development with the National Research Council of Canada, told of how her department, working on a shoe-string budget, enhanced its distribution of information to employees from coast to coast using their intranet. Their system now includes information on most programs, internal job-posting, on-line calendar of courses and workshops, along with a self-registering system for training.

The third day offered half day workshops on how to get started with your HR intranet.

Coming up in Toronto on June 10-11 is a mini-conference on "Human Resources Intranets" by the Canadian Institute. This event has been researched and organized by Sharon LeBrun, formerly of the Canadian HR Reporter and it promises to be an exception one. Talk about Canadian content, a few examples:

Implementing Employee Self-Service through
an Intranet at Shell Canada.
Trina Cook, Manager Payroll and Pension Administration

Intranet and the Bottom Line: Linking the
Intranet to the Corporate Business Strategy.
Susi Babani, Senior Vice-President, Human Resources
Hongkong Bank of Canada

Creating an Environment to Successfully Implementing
and Grow and Intranet.
John Cummings, Deloitte & Touch

Implementing Web-based Benefits
Administration at Motorola Canada.
Francine Verlaan, Manager, HRIS
Jim Townson, Corporate Director of HR

Using an Intranet to Transform the Internal Recruitment
Process at ABB Canada.
Raymond Beaulieu, Vice -President, HR, ABB Canada

Increasing External Recruiting Effectiveness by
Using Internet Technology.
Robert Richards, Director, Marketing
CareerBridge Corp.

Making your Intranet Communications
More Effective.
Diane McElroy, Vice-President, Aon Consulting

Developing a User-Focused HR Intranet based on a
"Life-Cycle Approach", at the Bank of Montreal.
Sally Grande, Manager, HR Intranet

From Pilot Project to Permanent Feature:
Managing the Growth of Your Intranet.
Al Doran, President, Phenix Management Int'l, Inc.

The "Stepped" Approach to Developing Intranet Applications:
A Case Study of Flexible Benefits Enrollment at
Merck Frost Canada, Inc.
Anne Marie Phelan, Manager, HR Decision Support &
Process Improvement

Integrating Your Intranet with the Corporate HRIS:
A First-Hand Look at Royal Bank's Approach.
Ralf Mibus, Project Manager HR Technology

Driving Organizational Learning by
Delivering Training Via an Intranet.
Deborah Lilies, Manager Product Training and
Documentation, Northern Telecom Ltd.
Richard Maranta, Team Leader, Multimedia

Creating an Enterprise-Wide Internal HR
Web Site at the Province of Ontario.
Brian David, Project co-ordinator, HR Intranet Site

How CIBC World Markets Implemented an Intranet Solution
to Meet its Global Human Resource and Compensation Needs.
Jennifer May, Global HRMS Project Manager
Rodney J. Bamford, Senior Manager, KPMG Management Consultants

Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Internal HR
Web Site at Fidelity Investments of Canada.
Ramy Tarbousli, Project Manager

Moving to a Virtual HR at BC Tel.
E. Alan Prentice, CCP Director, Compensation & Support

Extending Employee Self-Service with Next Generation
Intranet Applications: The HR Extranet.
Keith Jonah, Director, Greater Toronto Area
Operations, DOMUS Software, Inc.

PLUS these OPTIONAL "Hands On" Workshops
June 12th, 1998

A. A comprehensive Guide to Designing and Implementing
an HR Benefits Intranet.
Frank Andre, Watson Wyatt WorldWide
Andy Maxwell, Watson Wyatt WorldWide

B. A Step-by-step Roadmap to Measuring the Effectiveness of Your
Internal HR Web Site.
Brian Croft, Towers Perrin

C. Everything you Need to Know about Introducing
Employee Self-Service van an Intranet.
Sherri Gillanders, Consultant, Sierra Systems, Inc.

D. The Complete Tool-kit for Moving from the Physical to the Virtual Classroom:
Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Intranet-Based Training.
Judith M. Roberts, Roberts and Associates
Murray Richmond, Roberts and Associates

Canadian Institute:
Registrations: 416-927-7936
General Inquiries: 416-927-0718
fax: 416-927-1563
MAILTO:mktg@cicomm.com

-Al Doran is President of Phenix Management Int'l, a Toronto, Ont. management consulting firm specializing in HRMS issues. He is co-author of a new book published by Nelson Canada, "Human Resource Management Systems".

He may be reached at: aldoran@pmiHRM.com and his home page is http://www.pmihrm.com/

-Al Doran, CHRP
Copyright © 1998 Phenix Management Int'l