A multitude of different technologies proved indispensable during the pandemic, helping organizations become more efficient and work better together. In this article, Taylor Ramchandani considers how, though COVID-19-based disruptions have faded into the background of our lives, these technologies still remain massively relevant for modern workforces.
People and organizations thrived in difficult times thanks to existing tech innovations that really proved themselves during the pandemic. You likely experienced the impact of these technologies for yourself, whether via virtual doctor’s appointments, online shopping, or COVID-screening technologies.
These shifts naturally affected our working lives too. Drawing on insights from our ecosystem partners and the human capital-focused businesses of VectorVMS’s parent company, Learning Technologies Group (LTG), we’ve compiled a list of technologies that were big winners during the crisis.
1.) Applicant Tracking Systems
According to Business Wire, the global recruitment software market registered YoY growth of 4.74% in 2020, despite COVID-19. In this way, the pandemic caused an increased level of applicant tracking software procurement, assisting organizations in finding top talent during this difficult time.
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2.) Vendor Management Systems
Even when organizations have their full-time staffing under control, their temporary staff or contingent workers are often overlooked. This is especially true in the mid-market. Last year, according to SIA, 52% of organizations that adopted a vendor management system saw contract labor spend under 10 million, indicating a huge surge in the automation of labor in the mid-market space.
3.) Shift Scheduling Software
During the pandemic, the medical industry inevitably saw increased demand for travel nurses and different nursing skill sets in general. Other industries had to newly contend with the complexity of social distancing on plant floors. Accordingly, some organizations found it essential to implement shift scheduling software to simplify the process of scheduling, assigning, swapping, and filling shifts for shift-specific tasks.
4.) Talent Pooling and Direct Sourcing Software
Talent pools are not new. However, talent pooling technology has become an increasingly popular technology because of its ability to speed up the hiring process and source in tight labor markets. Couple that with the use of direct sourcing to post jobs on career sites and job boards in the contingent labor space, and organizations have seen their cost-to-hire decrease while their speed-to-hire increased.
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5.) Internal Mobility and Learning Software
The pandemic years have caused a widespread reassessment of roles and working patterns, causing many to seek new positions that better fit around lives and goals. With talent increasingly hard to find, it’s imperative to retain the talent you already have. To do this we’re seeing organizations fully develop in upskilling their current workforce to meet the needs of available roles or roles they know they’ll need to hire for in the near future.
6.) Teleworking and Facilities Management Software
Facilities management has become invaluable for many organizations, especially those looking to permanently implement hybrid-working models going forward. These solutions provide a great way to understand who will be in the office on any given day and save space by introducing hoteling at desks rather than each worker having a specific desk dedicated to them.
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Automation and the Human Element That Must Go With It
We’ve seen great change in terms of the types of technology people use and the ways it’s adopted. Many of these pandemic-proven technologies are possible due to automation—a powerful technology, that must nonetheless be backed up by a human component if you’re to get the most of it. For example, AI can be used to zero in on top talent. However, it shouldn’t be the only factor when reviewing resumes, as this can lead to bias or the needless elimination of qualified talent.
To learn more about trends that are here to stay from the pandemic, check out our ebook.
Meet the Expert
Nikki Williams – Marketing Brand Manager
Nikki Williams is responsible for marketing strategy and implementation for VectorVMS. In her role, she helps contingent workforce professionals discover the value of a vendor management solutions through blogs, webinars, conferences, and more. Her goal is to ensure these professionals can quickly find answers to their questions about VMS technology. Nikki has more than 10 years of experience as a marketing professional for technology, including human resources technologies as well as leadership and organizational development services. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
