Introduction

Choosing the right HRIS (Human Resource Information System) tool is crucial for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to streamline their HR processes. This comparison will delve into two prominent HRIS tools—Breathe and Proliant. 

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Breathe is a multi-award-winning secure people software designed specifically for UK and Australian SMEs. It helps businesses move their core people processes online, saving time, providing peace of mind, and enabling efficient management regardless of location.

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Proliant is a payroll and HR technology provider that excels in balancing service and technology. They offer fully integrated, cloud-based tools that simplify HR processes, improve accuracy, and ensure compliance across various business operations.

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Understanding how Breathe and Proliant differ and their similarities can help organizations make an informed decision on which HRIS tool best fits their needs.

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Breathe Overview

Key Features

• Employee Database: Breathe provides a centralized employee database, making it easy to manage personal information, employment details, and documents.
• Absence Management: Track and manage employee leave and absences efficiently, with automated notifications and easy reporting.
• Performance Management: Facilitates seamless performance reviews, goal setting, and continuous feedback to help employees grow.
• Document Management: Store, share, and manage important documents in a secure, centralized location.
• Shift Scheduling: Simplifies the scheduling process with easy shift management and calendar integrations.
• Reporting and Analytics: Generate insightful reports on various HR metrics, helping businesses make data-driven decisions.
• Integrations: Breathe integrates with various third-party applications, enhancing its functionality and usability.

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Proliant Overview

Key Features

• Payroll Processing: Provides robust payroll solutions that ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in payroll management.
• Time and Attendance: Comprehensive tools for tracking employee time, reducing payroll errors, and gaining insights into labor costs.
• HR Management: Handles employee records, benefits administration, and compliance tasks with ease.
• Onboarding: Streamlines the onboarding process with automated workflows, electronic documents, and task management.
• Benefits Administration: Simplifies benefits management, offering employee self-service options and integration with insurance carriers.
• Performance Management: Advanced tools for setting goals, conducting performance reviews, and fostering employee development.
• Compliance: Ensures compliance with labor laws and regulations with built-in tools and alerts.

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Similarities

Both Breathe and Proliant share several key functionalities essential for HRIS tools:

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• Centralized Employee Data Management: Both platforms provide a centralized location for storing and managing employee information.
• Performance Management: Each tool includes features for goal setting, performance reviews, and continuous feedback, which are vital for employee development.
• Document Management: Both Breathe and Proliant offer robust document management capabilities, allowing users to store and manage documents securely.
• Integration Capabilities: Both HRIS tools support integrations with various third-party applications, enhancing their functionality and enabling seamless workflow across different business systems.
• User-Friendly Interface: Breathe and Proliant both offer intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.

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Differences

While Breathe and Proliant share some similarities, several differences set them apart:

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• Primary Focus: Breathe is designed specifically for SMEs in the UK and Australia, focusing on core HR processes, while Proliant is a more comprehensive HR and payroll solution with a broader market focus.
• Geographical Reach: Breathe primarily serves the UK and Australian markets, whereas Proliant has a more prominent presence in the US market.
• Payroll Capabilities: Proliant offers a comprehensive payroll solution, ensuring compliance and accuracy, which Breathe lacks.
• Time and Attendance Management: Proliant provides extensive tools for tracking employee time and attendance, which Breathe does not offer as robustly.
• Benefits Administration: Proliant excels in benefits management with employee self-service options and carrier integrations, a feature not emphasized by Breathe.

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Pros and Cons

Breathe

Pros:

• User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate, even for users with minimal technical expertise.
• Tailored for SMEs: Designed specifically for the needs of UK and Australian SMEs, making it highly relevant for small to medium-sized businesses.
• Comprehensive Performance Management: Robust features for goal setting, performance reviews, and feedback.
• Secure Document Management: Reliable and secure document storage and management capabilities.
• Affordable Pricing: Generally more affordable than extensive HR platforms.

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Cons:

• Limited Payroll Features: Lacks comprehensive payroll management, which might be a requirement for some businesses.
• Geographical Limitations: Primarily designed for the UK and Australian markets, limiting its relevance for businesses outside these regions.
• Basic Time and Attendance: Limited capabilities compared to more advanced tools like Proliant.

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Proliant

Pros:

• Comprehensive Payroll Solutions: Robust payroll features that ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Advanced Time and Attendance: Extensive tools for tracking employee hours, labor cost analysis, and reducing payroll errors.
• Benefits Administration: Simplifies benefits management with self-service options and insurance carrier integrations.
• Onboarding Automation: Streamlines the onboarding process, reducing administrative work and improving new hire experience.
• Compliance Tools: Built-in compliance tools and alerts ensure adherence to labor laws and regulations.

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Cons:

• Complex Interface: More features can lead to a steeper learning curve for new users.
• Higher Cost: Generally more expensive than simpler HRIS solutions like Breathe.
• Overwhelming for SMEs: Comprehensive features might be overkill for smaller businesses with more straightforward requirements.

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Use Cases

Breathe

Breathe is an optimal choice for SMEs in the UK and Australia looking for a straightforward HRIS tool to streamline core HR processes. It is particularly well-suited for companies needing:

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• Basic HR Management: Centralized employee data management and secure document storage.
• Absence Management: Efficient tracking and managing of employee leave and absences.
• Performance Management: A tool to set goals, conduct performance reviews, and provide continuous feedback.
• Cost-Efficient Solutions: Businesses looking for an affordable HRIS tool without needing extensive payroll or advanced features.

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Proliant

Proliant is a comprehensive HR and payroll solution ideal for businesses of varying sizes, particularly those in the US, requiring robust features to handle complex HR and payroll needs. Ideal use cases include:

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• Comprehensive Payroll Management: Companies needing advanced payroll capabilities to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Advanced Time and Attendance Tracking: Businesses looking for extensive time tracking tools to manage labor costs and reduce payroll errors.
• Benefits Administration: Organizations requiring streamlined benefits management with employee self-service options.
• Complex Onboarding Processes: Companies looking to automate and improve the onboarding process with electronic documents and task management.
• Compliance Needs: Businesses that must adhere to stringent labor laws and regulations with built-in compliance tools and alerts.

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Conclusion

In summary, Breathe and Proliant offer distinct advantages as HRIS tools. Breathe is ideal for UK and Australian SMEs looking for a straightforward and affordable solution to manage core HR processes, with a user-friendly interface and robust performance management capabilities. However, it may fall short for businesses needing integrated payroll features or more advanced time and attendance tracking.

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Proliant, on the other hand, is a comprehensive HR and payroll solution geared towards businesses requiring robust payroll management, advanced time tracking, and benefits administration. While it comes with a higher cost and potentially steeper learning curve, its extensive features make it an excellent choice for larger companies or those with more complex HR needs.

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Ultimately, the choice between Breathe and Proliant should be based on your specific business requirements, geographical location, and budget. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each tool, you can select the HRIS solution that best aligns with your goals and operational needs.