What is an ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software helps companies manage their recruiting and hiring by tracking job applicants throughout the process. By using an ATS, HR teams can streamline every step of the journey to recruit and hire new talent.
ATS software can automate resume screening and interview scheduling, greatly reducing the time recruiting and hiring managers spend on these often tedious manual tasks. A recent survey revealed that 78% of recruiters who use ATS software report significant improvements in hiring efficiency, freeing their teams to focus on finding the best candidates for open positions.
Before we delve into ATS integration, let’s look at some popular applicant tracking systems in use today.
Prominent ATS Apps
ATS apps streamline the applicant tracking process. While ATS apps offer unique user experiences, the main goal for each app is to make life easier for HR teams, from recruiters to hiring managers, during the hiring process. Here are some popular ATS examples:
- BambooHR: A user-friendly ATS app that integrates with Core HR and payroll systems. BambooHR is best for small to mid-sized businesses, simplifies onboarding, and offers reporting tools.
- Greenhouse: This app features customizable workflows and advanced analytics for businesses seeking to focus on data-driven hiring decisions.
- JazzHR: Ideal for small businesses seeking customizable workflows, JazzHR has customizable workflows and interview management tools.
- Jobvite: Built for larger businesses, this app features social recruiting tools and employee referral programs. Advanced recruitment features and CRM integration are also included.
- Oracle Taleo: Suited for larger companies, Taleo features comprehensive talent management, recruitment, and onboarding solutions. Advanced analytics provide data-driven hiring decisions.
What is an ATS Integration?
Think of this integration as a high-speed commuter rail system connecting your ATS to other essential HR apps within your organization. Just as a high-speed train moves passengers between destinations quickly and efficiently, integration drives seamless data flow across systems, keeping everything on track with speed and accuracy.
Integration automates data transfer between systems, eliminating manual double-data entry. These automated data connectors ensure candidate information travels smoothly between platforms, allowing HR professionals to focus on their core responsibilities rather than dealing with manual data entry issues that often lead to costly errors.
Picture an HR professional whose company has embraced data automation. She sits comfortably on the train, settled in with a cup of coffee and a newspaper while checking her laptop or phone for the busy workday.
Now think of the HR worker who has yet to discover integration connectors. He arrives at the station a minute after the train leaves the platform and stands there, briefcase in hand, watching the train speed down the tracks as it recedes into the distance. He loses time again, missing another opportunity.
The Benefits of ATS Integration
Time Savings
- Reduced Data Entry: Manually entering and re-entering data into multiple systems is time-consuming and tedious. This fact is undeniable. Automation transforms this process, allowing data to be entered once and effortlessly shared across systems.
- Enhanced Efficiency: Integration reduces the need for HR professionals to switch between different applications, freeing up time for more critical tasks such as engaging with candidates and current staff. A study by Aptitude Research showed that 68% of companies who invested in hiring software did so to increase speed and efficiency.
“I can’t imagine the effort that it would take us now to manually update new hires, transfers, and promotions alone. Data integration saves us a huge amount of time and effort, and it all happens so quickly!” — Laura Ferem, IT Business Systems Analyst, Satellite Healthcare
Enhanced Experience
- Streamlined Process: Candidates enjoy a more efficient application process with fewer delays. ATS integration makes assessments, background checks, and interview scheduling a breeze, enhancing the overall experience.
- Improved Morale: By automating repetitive tasks, automation lightens the load on HR teams, leading to higher job satisfaction and a better experience for candidates.
“One turnkey connector liberated our HR team from over 20 hours of laborious manual data entry each month, boosting overall team satisfaction and contributing to a remarkable 100% increase in morale. Easiest integration solution I’ve ever experienced.” — Theresa Mastellon, Director, People Operations, Hopscotch Primary Care
Accelerated Onboarding Process
- New Hires Start Faster: Once a candidate is hired, their information quickly transfers to core HR systems, payroll, and other necessary tools. This speeds up onboarding and allows new employees to contribute to the organization sooner.
- Maximize Productivity: ATS integration reduces the administrative burden associated with onboarding, allowing HR teams to focus on introducing and transitioning new hires effectively.
“With Flexspring’s integration, we’ve saved countless hours by avoiding manual administrative tasks, allowing us to focus on recruiting. We don’t have to think about the integration—it just happens!” — Jeremy Schwartz, Corporate Recruiter, M3
Increased Data Accuracy and Security
- Error Reduction: Manual data entry easily leads to errors. Automation ensures accurate data entry and consistent maintenance across all systems, reducing the risk of mistakes.
- Improved Security: Limiting access to sensitive data to the few employees who truly need it enhances data security. Data integration ensures secure management and protection of information.
Common ATS Integration Examples
Most HR departments start with automating new hires to speed up the hiring and onboarding process. While there are countless connector options, HR teams often begin by integrating their ATS with the following common systems.
Payroll Systems
Integrating an ATS with a payroll system seamlessly connects the essential data needed to process payroll for new hires. This integration streamlines the onboarding process, making it quicker and more efficient and ensuring sensitive data security. Automation revolutionizes the process, especially for companies bringing on eight or more employees a month — a true time saver for busy HR professionals.
Candidate Assessment Apps
A candidate assessment app gives hiring managers a complete view of each candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications. An employer can then evaluate whether a person fits the job. Automation links the information stored in the candidate assessment app with the ATS so the employer can access all data within the candidate’s profile.
Automated data connection also results in a smoother application flow, meaning that the next step can automatically happen once the applicant has met the requirements -- no more manual data entry. The result? Integration eliminates an average of 20 minutes of project management and manual data entry per candidate.
“We have about 3,000 employees now and we’re onboarding nearly 200 new hires each month, especially for our warehouse positions. We needed better use of our candidate assessments to understand who we’re hiring. We were using it in-house, but we wanted to expand it to recruiting, and Flexspring was able to integrate Predictive Index within UKG’s recruiting module. It’s been a smooth process right from the start. When organizations don’t have time for manual tasks, they need data integration.” — HRIS Administrator, Automotive Parts Distributor
Background Checks
Automating background checks saves hiring managers valuable time. However, this information may be sensitive and should be treated securely. Integrating an ATS with background checks offers a safe, streamlined solution. Once a candidate advances to a certain point in a company’s hiring process, this integration automatically sends candidate data into the background check system. Once the background check finishes, the information automatically returns to the ATS, securing data and saving time.
Summary
Applicant Tracking System integration streamlines HR operations by connecting systems, saving time, enhancing accuracy, strengthening data security, and elevating the experience for both HR teams and candidates. By automatically linking payroll, assessment tools, and background checks, companies optimize their HR workflows. ATS integration takes your hiring process to the next level, creating a more efficient and effective way to attract top talent in today’s competitive job market.
