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theHRDIRECTOR: Is HR Tech in its “It’s Toasted” Era?

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One thing’s for sure in HR tech: everything is agentic AI. Or better yet, just “agentic.” In the frigid back conference halls of the Mandalay Bay convention center, past the food court, and up the escalator banks, the word “agentic” bounced across the walls and danced through the air. It’s the hot new thing. Everyone’s talking about it. And maybe that’s the problem. Over the course of the two and a half days at the 3Sixty Insights table, I was briefed, debriefed, and briefed again with vendors from across the HR tech industry. I met and spoke with many witty, intelligent, and forward-thinking people, all telling – or being told to tell – the same story. As an analyst, the result was often walking away […]

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Monthly Research Recap | September 2025

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Recent Research: Market Alert: Workday to Acquire Paradox, Expanding AI Capabilities in Talent Acquisition Workday has announced its intent to acquire Paradox, a leading provider of conversational AI tools built for high-volume recruiting. This acquisition—expected to close in October pending regulatory approvals—positions Workday to unify candidate discovery, engagement, and onboarding in a single AI-powered talent acquisition suite. Paradox’s conversational AI, known for improving time-to-hire and conversion rates, will integrate with Workday Recruiting to deliver natural-language experiences, automated scheduling, and scalable candidate communications. Together with its previous acquisition of HiredScore, Workday continues to extend its reach beyond traditional enterprise recruiting toward high-volume, frontline, and contingent hiring—replacing fragmented recruiting tools with an end-to-end, AI-driven experience. Research Note: Risk to Retention – Background Screening as a Strategy Forward-thinking […]

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Research Note: Risk to Retention – Background Screening as a Strategy

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Why forward-thinking HR leaders are reimagining background checks with technology to enhance candidate experience, reduce risk, and strengthen employee retention. Executive Summary Background screening has grown to shape candidate experience and signal organizational culture, just as much as it ensures compliance and protects against risk. Having shifted from a mere compliance safeguard to a strategic element of talent management, when done well, screening builds candidate trust, promotes a safe workplace, and enhances employee retention. The future of background screening will be shaped by regulatory expansion, tighter integration of technology, and increasing candidate expectations for fairness and transparency. Companies that strike a balance between compliance and culture, leverage technology without compromising human judgment, and prioritize candidate trust, will not only reduce risk but also gain an […]

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Analyst Insight: ADP Innovation Day 2025

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It’s not often I get to take the subway to an HR tech meeting. Fortunately for me, ADP’s early September 2025 Innovation Day on Central Park South was a short ride away from my home in Brooklyn. This private session brought together HR technology analysts, along with ADP partners and clients for an in-depth review of ADP’s strategic vision and technology roadmap. Throughout the day, executives, including President and CEO Maria Black and Sreeni Kutam, President of Global Product & Innovation, shared stories on topics such as innovation, artificial intelligence, and global payroll. While this event was intended to update analysts on ADP’s products and technology, it also served a dual purpose for ADP to address current topics. These included using multiple AI/LLM agents for […]

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From Practitioner to Analyst: My Takeaways from This Year’s HR Technology Conference

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My heart is full and my battery is drained, but in the most beautiful way. Prior to HR Technology Conference, my experience with conferences was from the practioner’s and blogger perspective. I had the opportunity to attend HR Tech as a learner and an analyst in an industry where I’ve been a customer, a decision maker, and a functionality geek. I got to see some amazing people I had not seen in years or even had never met IRL. I’ve always loved learning, attending demos, and seeing how people are looking to solve their business challenges with people tech solutions. It was fun to have the experience of being in HR for 20+ years and now having a different conversation with vendors, finding out from […]

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Council Guest Post: HR Transformation – Leveraging Technology for HR Efficiency

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Utilizing HR Tech Such as AI and Analytics for Streamlined Processes Introduction In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the role of Human Resources (HR) has transcended traditional boundaries. The integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analytics is revolutionizing HR functions, enabling organizations to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and improve overall efficiency. This article delves into the transformative impact of HR tech, specifically AI and analytics, and how they are reshaping the way HR operates. Rapid Innovations in HR Technology The advent of digital transformation has paved the way for HR technology to become an indispensable part of modern organizations. HR tech encompasses a wide range of tools and solutions designed to automate and optimize various HR functions, from recruitment and onboarding […]

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Analyst Insight: Accountants & Bankers – The Unexpected HR Allies Helping SMB Payroll and Compliance

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Introduction For many small and mid-sized businesses, there’s no such thing as an “HR department.” Budgets are tight, margins are slim, and every hire must quickly and directly contribute to growth or business operations. Typically, SMBs handle HR in one of two ways. They may fold recruiting, benefits, performance management, and other related functions into a selected manager’s to-do list. Or they outsource HR to one of the company’s trusted advisors, like their bank or CPA. In those cases, the accountant who closes the books each month might handle payroll, track paid leave, and help the business owner analyze labor costs. The banker who sets up a line of credit may offer advice on employee benefits. That’s certainly not ideal, but it makes sense: If […]

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Research Note: The Hidden Costs of Being the HR Hero – How SMBs Use isolved to Turn Compliance Headaches into Strategic Growth

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Running the financial side of a small and mid-sized business (SMB) is complex enough, but adding workforce management, benefits, and compliance to the mix stretches capacity even thinner. For many SMBs, hiring a full-time HR professional is simply financially out of reach. It may then be a structural resource or workforce issue that makes HR underdeveloped, reactive, and disconnected from overall business results. As these businesses struggle to handle the increasing complexity of HR, payroll, and benefits management, these duties often fall to CFOs, controllers, or administrators who lack the time, resources, and expertise to manage the workforce strategically. When HR responsibilities are added to an existing role, it can seem unexpected since they weren’t part of the original job description or a focus of […]

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On-Demand Webinar: Practical Advice for Leading HR Through Uncertain and Unpredictable Times

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In today’s climate of shifting administrations, economic uncertainty, and evolving workplace expectations, HR leaders are being challenged like never before. The pressure to deliver results, preserve culture, and support employees—often with fewer resources—requires a new level of agility and insight. This session is designed to help HR professionals lead confidently through complexity by providing practical, experience-backed advice. Key Takeaways: Managing shifting priorities without sacrificing employee experience Identifying where HR processes tend to break under pressure Maintaining balance between business demands and workforce well-being Featuring: Geoff Webb – Contributing Analyst at 3Sixty Insights, with over 25 years of experience in the tech industry. Geoff brings deep expertise in how technology intersects with business strategy and society. A member of the Forbes Technology Council, he writes and […]

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Council Guest Post: 15 Characteristics of Thought Leadership in HR / Talent Acquisition Technology Marketing

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In 10 Ways to Improve the Way You Market Your HR-Talent Acquisition-Learning Technology, I talked about how the phrases “thought leadership” and “branding” content have wandered off to mean just about anything. Now let’s look at 15 potential characteristics of what might be called thought leadership. It’s not necessary for your marketing to include every one of them for it to be “thought leadership,” but they are attributes you may find in thought leadership. Feel free to add your own. Challenges the status quo authentically, not for the sake of drawing attention or causing a phony controversy Backs up the point with examples or data, possibly from your own technology Disagrees with what you’ve said prior and admits you changed your own mind Avoids excessive […]

#HRTechChat: Darwinbox’s Samrat Krishna on Killing the Toggle Tax and Unleashing AI Agents at Work

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AI is changing the game—but not in the way you think. In this episode of #HRTechChat, we’re sharing a special swapcast from the PeopleTech podcast hosted by Mark Feffer, featuring Samrat Krishna of Darwinbox. Samrat unpacks how AI agents are killing the “toggle tax” and rethinking enterprise software altogether. Instead of juggling dozens of systems and interfaces, agents now act on your behalf—fetching info, taking action, and streamlining workflows across platforms. They dig into the mechanics of MCP (Modular Component Protocol), how Darwinbox is building for agent-first environments, and what HR leaders should automate today to unlock strategic headspace tomorrow. If you think AI is about replacing people, you’re asking the wrong question. Tune in to learn how to shift from assistance to agency—and why […]

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Council Guest Post: 10 Ways to Improve the Way You Market Your HR-Talent Acquisition-Learning Technology

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I’m working with AI tech startups (e.g. interview technology, AI screening, etc.); top four job boards; two of the top employer-branding agencies; a top-ranked ATS; a top-ranked global RPO, and am otherwise looking at dozens of other talent-technology companies’ marketing weekly. Some quick thoughts on what I’m seeing and what can improve. Use scenarios, not just metrics. Yes, you reduce the time it takes to fill a job 847% and the speed of hire by a factor of 7, and that’s good. But the ads that are popping up on our personal social-media feeds tend to lay out scenarios (a bit different from case studies): Your daughter got home and she no longer wanted the multi-colored popsicle she has every Monday. Your dog is waking […]

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Monthly Research Recap | June 2025

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Recent Research: Analyst Insight: UKG Analyst Day 2025 UKG’s Analyst Day 2025 in Fort Lauderdale marked a strategic refresh and a bold repositioning of the company as an AI-first workforce technology provider. Under CEO Jennifer Morgan’s leadership, UKG unveiled a reenergized executive team, a streamlined vision focused on accountability and frontline empowerment, and a pragmatic approach to AI through its FleX Platform and new assistant, UKG Bryte. The event highlighted UKG’s effort to deliver measurable business outcomes via personalized, AI-driven solutions designed for real-world workforce challenges—especially in sectors experiencing labor shortages. With cultural cohesion, a forthcoming brand refresh, and a focus on simplifying user experiences, UKG is positioning itself not just as a technology vendor, but as a true strategic partner for organizations navigating the […]

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UKG’s AI-First Future

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At its 2025 Analyst Day, UKG doubled down on its commitment to becoming an AI-first company. Unveiling a sweeping strategy designed to transform the workforce experience for both employees and employers. UKG described how the company is evolving from traditional workforce software to an AI-driven platform grounded in real-time data, extensibility, and industry-specific insight. This transformation is powered by the FleX Platform and People Fabric, which together provide a unified data architecture that fuels AI-powered workflows, intelligent recommendations, and automated task execution. A centerpiece of UKG’s AI vision is Bryte, its proprietary AI engine. Bryte is embedded throughout the platform to support a wide range of use cases: Bryte Job Genius generates job descriptions and interview guides. Paycheck AI Agent answers employee payroll questions and […]

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Analyst Insight: UKG Analyst Day 2025

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A Strategic Refresh and an AI-Driven Future In late May 2025, I stepped out into the warm Florida sun to join UKG’s Analyst Day event hosted in Fort Lauderdale. This closed-door session brought together leading HR technology analysts for an in-depth look at UKG’s redefined strategic vision, revamped executive leadership team, and extensive technology roadmap. Throughout the day, executives, including CEO Jennifer Morgan, Chief Product Officer Suresh Vittal, and Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Hodges, delivered a cohesive narrative around customer-centric innovation, frontline worker empowerment, and pragmatic AI integration. While this event was meant to update analysts on UKG’s products and technology, it served a dual purpose for UKG: to reintroduce itself to the HR tech world as an AI-first company that can deliver strategic business […]

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reworked: Choosing HR Software Involves More Than HR

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Balancing focus and flexibility, navigating the suite versus point solution debate in HR tech. A question that regularly pops up as the technology environment evolves is: Which is the better approach for HR — to put all of its eggs in one basket by focusing on a single, comprehensive tech suite, or to address each requirement with a focused point solution, such as an ATS developed by one company, a performance management platform offered by another and a payroll system provided by a third? Point solutions and suites will always need to coexist, said Ward Christman, founder of HR Tech Advisor, an HR technology advisory firm in West Chester, Pa. “No suite will ever be sufficient for all customers, and will probably be insufficient for any […]

Unit4 Article: Solving the ‘Big Talent Conundrum’ – 5 strategies for success

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The talent landscape is changing fast, leaving organizations grappling with new challenges in retaining, developing, and enabling their workforce. From rising dissatisfaction among employees to shifts in hiring practices, the need for a strategic approach has never been greater for the CHRO and their office. In the Unit4 webinar, HCM expert and Principal Analyst, Pamela Stroko, and Unit4’s VP of Global Talent, Wellington Wu, explored the challenges of talent acquisition and retention amid the “Great Disconnect” and “Great Disenchantment.” They highlighted the need to reassess talent strategies by addressing skill gaps, enhancing onboarding, and fostering development—offering key insights for navigating today’s talent landscape. Read our blog to learn how you can solve today’s ‘talent conundrum’! The state of today’s talent market Alarmingly, 77% of workers are just doing […]

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Beyond the Buzzwords: A More Honest Look at the Skills Crisis

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Fuel50’s 2025 Skills Crisis Report aims to pinpoint the primary causes of talent misalignment in modern organizations. The report successfully punctures the illusion that companies have control over their internal talent ecosystems and tries to target the structural inertia that plagues workforce management. The report’s core insight is that organizations are operating with a false sense of security when it comes to skills visibility: “Companies think they have their skills and talent problems under control until the data proves otherwise.” 92% of organizations say they understand their workforce’s skills, yet 74% admit that lack of visibility directly impedes business performance. This disconnect between self-perception and operational reality should alarm any business leader. 3Sixty Insights found similar findings in our November 2024 benchmark report that looks […]