HRD Tech Roundup - June 17th 2019

Welcome to the HRD Tech Roundup – your one-stop update of everything happening in the world of HR Technology.

Big names and new faces promise to turn the world of HR technology on it’s head this week, as Microsoft and Oracle team up to take on Amazon, Facebook release a new deep learning platform, and Crosschq launch a new platform that translates human insights from a candidate’s references into predictive data.

So what’s been happening?

Key Players Announcements:

• Microsoft and Oracle are joining forces to challenge Amazon and reinforce each other’s services. The newly established integration will divide the workload between Microsoft and Oracle’s cloud platforms for enterprise customers. Customers will be able to link Microsoft’s Azure services, such as AI and analytics, to Oracle’s Cloud services, such as its Autonomous Database (via The Motley Fool).
• Cornerstone OnDemand has unveiled Cornerstone Conversations, a new product that will allow organisations to increase employee productivity, engagement and growth by driving regular, ongoing conversations among their teams (via Cornerstone OnDemand).
• IBM’s Watson Studio has launched AutoAI, a new product that automates tasks related to managing AI in enterprise environments. AutoAI automates data prep and preprocessing steps including feature engineering, or using domain knowledge of data to create elements core to AI algorithms (via VentureBeat).

More HRD Tech News:

• Facebook announced the beta release of open source deep learning platform PyTorch Hub. PyTorch Hub offers support for models in Google Colab and PaperWithCode (via VentureBeat).
• Santa Monica-based online employment platform ZipRecruiter has released a system that enables job seekers with multiple experience levels to opt in to be recruited by employers across industries. ZipRecruiter deploys its artificial intelligence matching technology to showcase potential clients to hiring managers (via ZDNet).
• Crosschq has launched a new platform that transforms human insights from a candidate’s references into predictive data. This ensures the user that they are well-matched with an employer. The company’s technology expands and automates reference checks and allows rapid turnaround, precise insights and better consistency (via HCM Technology Report).

New HR Tech Spotlight:

• Intelligent hiring optimisation platform Shortlyster has raised AUD $5 million seed funding. The funding will be used to focus on Shortlyster’s growth strategy and market expansion (via Anthill).

HR Tech Influencer Spotlight:

Who’s been causing a stir in HR Tech this week?

Influencer of the week

Useful Personal Tech for HR Professionals https://t.co/8tIVu1TEHp pic.twitter.com/5d7dOtRTAW

— Tom Haak (@tomwhaak) June 11, 2019

We’ve been hanging off Tom Haak’s every tweet this week, all full of fascinating insights into the future of tech in the workplace.

Quote of the week

“Clearly technology can help to bring us together and collaborate, it can also be incredibly beneficial if used as a diagnostic in the form of Maps or similar, but it will need to be used carefully and alongside human interactions. Certainly, there will be no better tool than the manager having a conversation with their team member.”

Kate Turner, Director, Motivational Leadership, makes a case for both the possibilities and limitations of technology in the workplace. Read more.

That’s all for this week. Join the conversation below.

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