Peterborough Software has launched a human resources software product that it claims simplifies HR management through an improved user interface. PS Enterprise is a client-server application consisting of several programs, including Recruitment, Payroll, Reporting and Organiser. Kevin Gordon, international sales director of Peterborough UK, emphasised the role played by customer research in the product's creation. Of 350 companies surveyed, most had felt there was 'a constant need to do more with less', he said. Hence PS Enterprise sports a simpler, easier-to-use interface than its predecessor, PS for Windows. It can accept queries phrased in standard English, as opposed to pure structured query language (SQL), and can search and sort staff according to easily defined criteria. Training time also was reduced by the integration of standard Windows conventions and Wizards. This was aimed at simplifying HR management, Mr Gordon said, and could make employee downsizing more efficient and informed, or, in some cases, even reduce the need for it altogether. Peterborough recommends the Oracle8 database, although the software also works with IBM's DB2/400 and Microsoft SQL Server. PS Enterprise can share data with many standard Windows 95/98/NT applications. The software also integrates well with mail programs compliant with the MAPI standard, which gives normal e-mail groupware-like abilities. An example of such a program is Microsoft Outlook 98.
