HRMS vs EMS: Differences Explained & Which You Should Choose

If you’re in the market for a new system to digitalise the way your company manages its workforce, you might have come across a variety of terms, including HR systems, HRIS, HRMS, and EMS platforms. What do these terms really mean, and what are the differences between the options? 

More importantly, which system is ideal to help empower your business to survive and thrive in the digital era? Today, let’s take a look at HRMS and EMS platforms — and which works best for your business. 

Human Resource Management System (HRMS)

A Human Resource Management System (HRMS) is essentially a suite of software and systems that help manage human resources, data, processes, and everything that’s involved with the management of a workforce. 

Often used interchangeably with the term, Human Resources Information System (HRIS) and Human Capital Management (HCM), an HRMS is technically differentiated by being a complete option to handle the end-to-end of HR for your workforce. 

This helps employers and HR managers automate otherwise manual processes and tedious, repetitive tasks — while reducing the risk for human error and mistakes. Some key examples here are leave management, automated payroll, expense claims, and even digital onboarding and centralised documents. 

Employee Management Software (EMS) 

Meanwhile, Employee Management Software (EMS) is simply software that helps you to effectively manage employees in order to meet company objectives. Similarly to HRMS and HRIS options, EMS platforms are an important part of the end-to-end of workforce management, often comprising employee database management, payroll, or even leave tracking. 

A key goal for effective employee management is to ensure that employees can achieve their targets in the most efficient way possible. This means that an effective EMS platform should be able to handle employee monitoring, engagement, rewards, and even employee selection — among others. 

Should you choose EMS or HRMS?

At the end of the day, the terms EMS and HRMS — or even HCM or HRIS — are often used interchangeably. When deciding on a HR system for your business, it’s important to weigh all of the pros and cons of each option against each other, regardless of naming or classifications. For example, if your business management requires payroll, leave management, and digital workforce management, look out for those features in a solution. 

And if you still can’t decide, we have a solution that combines the best of both worlds of EMS and HRMS platforms.