Paper-based processes in case tracking have several limitations, but it can be challenging to make the move to an automated system. With years of data collected in spreadsheets across your organization, the prospect can seem daunting to agencies with limited time and resources.
However, with the right approach to selecting a new employee and labor relations automation solution for your organization, there are many benefits to be gained, and data migration does not have to be the headache you are dreading.
Key Considerations in the Migration Process
There are several things to keep in mind when migrating from a paper-based system to an automated system for your employee and labor relations. These include:
- Data Migration – Data will need to be transferred from existing spreadsheets into the database of your new system. This requires standardization of the data to match the capabilities of the database and may require additional efforts depending on how many sources will be used to populate the new database.
- Planning for a New Case Tracking Process – Your current case tracking process may be codified, but that does not mean every specialist uses the same formatting or is as meticulous at each step. Automation will require a clearly defined workflow for your cases and training for your team to follow them carefully.
- Consolidating Documents for Centralized Access – One of the many benefits of a cloud-based automated system is that all data can be accessed through a single interface, including attachments of important documents. These will need to be gathered and formatted for that transition.
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The more prepared you are for the migration process, the better it will proceed and the sooner the automated system will start saving you time and providing greater insights into the case tracking process.
Challenges in Data Migration
Your organization likely has years of data stored in Excel spreadsheets that will need to be cataloged, standardized, and migrated into an automated system. This can be a challenging process as that information is gathered and a team of employee and labor relations specialists learns the new system.
Before starting a migration, time should be taken to evaluate the current data formats, determine what will be needed, and what steps you can take to ease the transition from one system to another. This will speed up the transition process and address potential frustration.
Preparing for Your Migration into Automated Employee and Labor Relations
There are many benefits to be gained from automating your employee and labor relations processes. EconSys offers a dedicated module in our FedHR Navigator suite of federal HR tools for this reason. To learn more about the benefits offered by such a system, you can download our eBook, The Benefits of Migrating Employee and Labor Relations to an Automated System, from the link below, or contact us to discuss your ER/LR needs.
