The Forrester Wave™: Human Resource Management Systems, Q4 2008

In Forrester's 104-criteria evaluation of human resource management system (HRMS) vendors, we found that Oracle and SAP continue to be the leading options for large multinational enterprises, with Lawson Software and Ultimate Software also placing among the Leaders with differentiating alternatives. Among the multinational enterprise choices, Oracle's E-Business Suite (EBS) outpaced SAP and Oracle PeopleSoft in achieving the highest Current Offering scores, while Ultimate Software had the top-rated strategy. Ultimate Software placed as the only Leader for the US midmarket ranking, where rapid deployment and lower ownership costs are higher priorities. Workday, a new competitor in this Forrester Wave™ evaluation, is a Strong Performer with an advanced software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution. Lawson's new talent management suite also represents an innovative approach, as the company shifts from a traditional HRMS to a next-generation offering. Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Ceridian placed as Strong Performers, with solid scores in the US midmarket ranking, offering mature core HRMS capabilities, complemented by outsourced service offerings and integrated third-party solutions.