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Your OrangeHRM Team :)

OrangeHRM Releases Version 2.4-beta.4 of the Open-Source HR Management System

OrangeHRM, a leading provider of open-source HR Management solution for small and medium sized enterprises worldwide, has announced the launch of version 2.4-beta.4 of their human resource information system (HRIS). Introduction of the Recruitment Module which comprises of the comprehensive job application, publishing and recruitment process, according to the feedback, received from user community side, were the main focus of the release.

Features in the new application include:

• Listing out the Job Vacancies

This is where the HR administrator creates the job vacancies available in the organization. He has the option to include all the necessary information, including the job title, the job description and pay grade and employment status.

• Adding Pay Grade

When listing the available vacancies the HR administrator has the option to add additional pay grades to the system to be compatible with the job listing

• Adding Employment Status

Generally the system itself has defined certain employment status at its inception. But if the company needs the HR administrator has the right to add company specified Employment Status to the system when listing out the job vacancies

• Selecting Hiring Managers for the job vacancies
• It’s compulsory for the HR administrator to select the hiring managers for each job vacancy listed out. This will let the hiring manager receive a notification when someone applies for the particular job that he/she has been appointed as the hiring manager.

• Candidates Start Applying for the Job Vacancies

The wonder of the OrangeHRM recruitment module is that the candidates can never trace out that they are using the OrangeHRM system, but rather they feel that it’s the particular company recruitment system that they are directed to. The only thing involved in the application process is to select the job and fill up a form containing all the necessary details that are required. The process is very simple and user friendly.

• Selecting the Right Candidate

The HR administrator can get the full list of applicants for each job and he can schedule interviews for the right people with the respective hiring managers and other executive members. Every action will be notified to the respective candidate via email.

OrangeHRM version 2.4-beta.4 marks the ninth major development release of the human capital management software since February 2006. Within one and a half years the application has received more than 150,000 cumulative downloads from SourceForge.net – the repository of Open Source projects.

OrangeHRM Releases Version 2.3

OrangeHRM has released version 2.3 of the Open Source Human Resource Management System. In addition to already accessible features in the application, such as Personal Information Management, Employee Self Service, Leave and Time&Attendance Module as well as the On-Demand solution - OrangeHRM now introduces the Benefit Module.

The Benefit Module was implemented to manage the benefit-related tasks and especially the extensive Health Savings Plan (HSP). Therefore the following features are available in the newest version of the HRM System:

· Define HSP

OrangeHRM has given a wider option for the organizations to select their Health Saving Plans out of the 6 options been specified. These can be listed as HSA, HRA, FSA, HSA+HRA, HSA+FSA, HRA+FSA. All these options are based on the level of contribution by the employee and the employer.

· Employee HSP Summary

This lists out all the records of a particular employee with regards to his HSP. This lists out the annual limit, the employer and the employee contributions, the accrued amount and the current status of the HSP.

· HSP Payments Due

This is the place where the HR admin can go and check the due HSP payments due for the employees.

· HSP Expenditure

This displays all the used HSP payments as well as the due HSP payments of a particular employee.This list provides a clear idea of the current status of the overall HSP system in the organization

· HSP Request

This provides a request form for the employees to apply for the HSP in a particular year. Certain fields in this form are set inactive in the case of the ESS users and being made active for the HR admin only,when approving the HSP requests.

The latest version of OrangeHRM is available free of charge under GNU GPL open source license. The immediate download as well as the demo version of the application can be found on www.orangehrm.com.

How Webinars Can Benefit OrangeHRM Community

Webinars are a type of web conferences. Although many times a webinar is a one way transmission of information, generally a slide show from a presenter to an audience who are attending over their personal computer, it can be designed to have elements of interactivity.

Webinars have been identified as the simplest and most cost-effective way to reach large audiences online. It enables individuals and organizations to easily present, train and demonstrate to large audiences online, significantly expanding the reach of their communication throughout the world. The following are the important advantages of webinars.

• Increase productivity: Hold Webinars, reaching up to 1,000 people at a time, without complicated prep work or special skills. Meet online instantly with easy on-the-fly meetings.
• Decrease costs: Reduce travel and save time. Train more people more easily. Hold unlimited Web events and meetings for one low flat rate.
• Generate revenue: Bring in more leads with compelling Webinars. Provide value-added training and other information.

At the moment OrangeHRM is evaluating the possibility of webinars to its large community. OrangeHRM has introduced the video training material as an online user guide and this will be the 1^st feature which will be implemented in the OrangeHRM webinars. According to the feedback from the users we will stretch our plans to do monthly presentations about OrangeHRM feature updates to regular OrangeHRM users. In addition, support via webinars is also a possible feature in the future OrangeHRM.

We hope to implement this in the most interactive way in order to facilitate a smooth transition of ideas between you and us.

Introducing the OrangeHRM video training material to the community

OrangeHRM has created video training materials providing hands-on instructions to using OrangeHRM. The videos will show in a fast and straightforward way how to get started with and use the different modules of the product. OrangeHRM video training materials will help you to:

• discover the application step by step with narrated on screen guidance
• learn about the different features provided to manage your organization’s human resources
• discover the system from the point of view of different user groups
• learn how to use OrangeHRM best matching your needs

The basic Getting Started instructions are freely available on the website to all community members. The guide instructs users with such basic steps as logging in and navigating in the system as well as setting it up according to your company’s HR requirements.

Customers subscribed to the Platinum Support plan have an extended access to the video training materials with more detailed instructions of the usage of all modules.

Data Migration in OrangeHRM

Data migration is a widely discussed topic today in the software world due to its extensive use.The word “data migration” in itself describes the true functionality it performs, which is transferring bulk data from one system to another, eliminating the need for entering them manually. This can be done through a Comma Separated Value file, which can be processed by all text editors.

This feature plays a major role in Management Information Systems and Payroll Systems, because it eliminates the possibility of data redundancy and loss.

In OrangeHRM we have implemented this feature due to the huge demand and request from our community. This was firstly implemented in the version 2.2.3 and looking forward for some more changes. The technical functionality of this feature within the OrangeHRM system can be described as follows.

• Custom Import Definitions

In order to import CSV data into OrangeHRM, you need to create an Import definition. This defines the format of the CSV file:

1. The fields (columns) in the CSV file
2. Order of the columns in the CSV file
3. Whether the CSV file contains a header.

• CSV File format

The CSV file can have an optional header row. The header row will contain the names of the columns in the file. This row is optional, and OrangeHRM simply ignores this and doesn't attempt to read or validate this row.

The rest of the rows in the CSV file contain data. Each of these rows should contain details on one new employee. If the name of the employee matches an existing employee in the system, that row will not be imported.

• Importing CSV Data

To import data you need to go to the menu 'Data Import/Export' -> 'Import' and select from the available import definitions. Then browse and select a CSV file and click Import. Once the import is complete, the status of the import with any errors will be shown.

In the same way the data can be exported from OrangeHRM to the other systems using the same technical functionality

OrangeHRM Launches The Premium Features

With the launch of the new website,OrangeHRM has introduced the premium features that can be added to your own system. At the moment we have introduced the LDAP Plug-in, in the Add ons section and this has been categorized as the mostly requested from the community.

With this new functionality the username will be the only required field for a LDAP user where the password will be automatically checked with the LDAP connection. In other words LDAP Plug-in will securely create your user IDs and when users log into the system they will be authenticated by your company's LDAP Server. This will enable the hassle free and secure login for a user.

The most widely accepted advantages of the LDAP plug in can be listed as follows

-Can very easily set up multiple systems to authenticate users with the information from a centralized backend

-Ensures high security with respect to your data

-Good server implementation

-Easy to setup

OrangeHRM launches the Platinum Support Plan

OrangeHRM has complemented the support service offering by introducing Platinum Support, a premium service package comprising of a broad selection of support activities.

This support plan is designed to maximize the convenience of the daily use of OrangeHRM by providing a palette of highly efficient support and value adding services. With the Platinum Support plan customers will have their email requests responded within 24 hours as well as a 24/7 access to support via phone with a dedicated support engineer answering questions and concerns.

OrangeHRM also offers a variety of training assistance to the Platinum Support users. This includes training videos providing hands-on guidance in getting started with the product and using the different modules. The training services also include free access to upcoming webinars as well as the possibility to have onsite customized trainings based on the customers’ needs. Additional benefits include a set of customizations, e.g. company logo or a branded product interface as well as priority bug fixes upon demand.

The Platinum Support offering’s aim is to raise the customer relationship to a new level by involving the clients into the development process. Functionalities for the upcoming releases will be discussed with the Platinum support customers, who are encouraged to have their say in determining the next steps of OrangeHRM.

OrangeHRM Dressing Up For A New Look

OrangeHRM, boosted its visual image with the “Oranges Theme” by launching a new website with enhanced and extended features. This has generated the option for the OrangeHRM community to enjoy the features of the newly added Add-ons & Plug-ins section. The overall layout has been refreshed and redesigned to suit the competitive offering. The newly designed download page provides an even more enjoyable browsing experience with the introduction of several download options, such as Windows installer, Linux installer, latest development release, old releases, documentation and language packs. This provides the opportunity for the user to download the file he needs directly, eliminating the chances of confusion .The newly added language packs can be directly downloaded from our website and can use in which ever the way that the user prefers.

The updated website gives a wide range of information about our product as well as support and services. As a provider of an Open Source HRM software application, OrangeHRM offers the variety of features free of charge. These include:

• Personal Information Management (PIM),
• Employee Self Service (ESS),
• Leave Management
• Time and Attendance tracking and additionally
• On-Demand solution - a subscription-based hosted service

Having recently reached a record breaking 100 000 downloads OrangeHRM has claimed a position among the top corporate open source software. We are proud to declare that OrangeHRM has marked its position as the “Future of Open Source HRM Applications” for most of the SME’s around the globe.

Check out our new website: www.orangehrm.com or write us: info@orangehrm.com

OrangeHRM Reaches 100,000 Downloads

OrangeHRM proudly announces that it has reached more than 100,000 cumulative downloads since February 2006, when the first version of the Open Source Human Resource Management System was released to SourceForge.net - world’s largest open source collaborative development website. So far OrangeHRM has been a very competitive open source project in the SourceForge portfolio demonstrating high rankings with it’s efficient development and stable growth.

The increasing rate of downloads signify that OrangeHRM is continously generating value to most of the SMEs around the globe to effectively manage the most useful asset in the organization,its people. OrangeHRM is a community driven product and day by day it is establishing worldwide user community, who contribute to the project. This is resulting in a product that matures rapidly based on response to market needs.

Throughout its process of innovation, OrangeHRM has released many versions so far with several new features available in different languages. It's now in the doorstep of releasing its newest stable version 2.2.3 within the next few weeks.

We thank all our community members with great gratitude on this special moment.