Access Group launches AI-enhanced HR software Access Evo

The Access Group has announced its new Access Evo product, a unified software experience enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI). Targeting HR professionals, this offering from one of the UK's leading providers of business management software aims to address operational inefficiencies and streamline HR processes.

The launch of Access Evo marks the beginning of a broader rollout plan, with intentions of extending the product's reach across the company's ten divisions in the coming months. Access People, one of the Access Group's largest divisions, will spearhead this initiative within the HR sector with the introduction of the People XD Evo and People HR Evo products. These new releases are designed to combine AI features with advanced People Analytics, promising an improved software experience for HR professionals.

According to a study conducted by Access earlier this year, HR departments are significantly burdened by administrative tasks. The research, which polled 100 businesses, highlighted that 96% of HR professionals felt their administrative duties could be managed more efficiently. Additionally, 55% of the respondents identified ensuring data accuracy as a primary challenge, while 54% pointed to difficulties with system integration and outdated legacy systems. Over 30% expressed challenges with tracking real-time workforce analytics and insights.

The new AI generative software within Access Evo seeks to mitigate these issues by automating time-consuming tasks such as researching policies, compiling employee data, screening resumes, and drafting staff communications. It is designed to perform these tasks in a fraction of the time traditionally required. Furthermore, the system is accessible not only to HR professionals but also to managers and individual employees, enabling self-service capabilities and facilitating quicker access to necessary information.

Specific functionalities within the new HR products include the Document Skills plug-in, which can instantly retrieve HR facts from company policies and documentation, and the Employee Data Skills plug-in, which allows users to access personal, team, or company data relative to their roles and permissions without navigating complex interfaces.

Charles Butterworth, Managing Director of Access People, stated, "Access Evo is game-changing for HR professionals, who often face the heaviest administrative burdens in the workforce. It's a fundamental transformation for HR into a more strategic, value-added, insight-driven function. Access is seamlessly integrated with cutting-edge AI, analytics and user-friendly features to streamline HR processes, allowing professionals to focus more on strategic initiatives rather than paperwork. This comprehensive ecosystem is poised to transform HR operations, making it easier for our customers to achieve their goals and drive meaningful impact within their organisations."

Safety and security have also been a priority in the design of Access Evo. Marko Perisic, Chief Product and Engineering Officer at Access, assured that the generative AI works within the confines of the Access products, ensuring no external connectivity. "We prioritise intuitive, efficient and delightful interactions with Access Evo, ensuring users can achieve their goals effortlessly. Our customer data is sacrosanct. Our generative AI works within the Access products and is not connected to the outside world of the Internet. When a query is made, it can only access the data within the products domain as deployed on the customers system. The result is unparalleled data privacy and security for an organisation, its people and customers."

Chris Bayne, CEO of the Access Group, added, "Access customers can be reassured that we are implementing AI responsibly and thoughtfully. We see AI bringing freedom to do more of what their job demands. Incorporating artificial intelligence into our HR products is the next step towards that objective. We're committed to continuous improvement, actively seeking user feedback and leveraging insights to enhance customer experience. With inclusivity in mind, Access Evo is designed for everyone, ensuring no one is left behind, regardless of abilities or technological proficiency."

Access Evo aims to offer significant improvements for HR professionals by reducing administrative tasks and enabling them to focus on more strategic roles. The product's focus on privacy and efficient data handling also aims to set a new standard in the integration of AI within business management software.