Human Resource Information System (HRIS) is one of the most important Management Information
Systems, which contributes to human resource administration functions of an organisation. Aptly described by
Kavangah et al., (2007), HRIS is a computer system used to acquire, store, manipulate, analyse, retrieve and
distribute information related to human resources. Besides hardware and software, it also includes people, forms,
policies, procedures and data. Modern HRIS can help organisations by automating most HR planning functions.
HRIS becomes an important strategic tool since it collects, manages and reports information for decision-making.
Fully integrated organisational HRIS ought to interface with other systems enabling and enhancing the
communication between departments such as payroll system with accountancy system. Since HRIS deals with
employees’ personal data, which is sensitive, it should ensure data security while transferring information. An HRIS
is capable of identifying trends, evaluating and managing costs, comparing the organisation with other competitive
organisations and issue reports. New HRIS trends seem tohave an important effect on HR planning, embedding new
technology with organisational goals and objectives. Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP), when linked with
the HRIS sub system, provides a distinct competitive advantage to an organisation over competitors. HRIS is
classified into two types according to their usage: “unsophisticated” and “sophisticated”. Payroll and benefits
administration, employee absence records keeping electronically are listed as “unsophisticated”. Use of IS in
recruitment and selection, training and development, HR planning and performance appraisal, is classified as
“sophisticated”.