April 26, 2022
Rapidly training new employees has evolved from a beneficial feature to an essential requirement for business success.
The situation is critical because 30% of employees depart during their first 90 days on the job. Ineffective onboarding practices result in the loss of talent while also affecting your financial resources and team spirit.
Here's the problem:
Outdated onboarding systems are widespread among companies and they make newcomers feel bewildered and stressed, leading them to consider quitting before beginning their jobs.
The solution? Business success depends on using onboarding software that contains essential features which deliver effective results. This guide will break down the must-have features that separate mediocre onboarding platforms from the best employee onboarding software that transforms your entire hiring process.
The workplace has undergone fundamental changes so your onboarding process now requires an update.
The rise of remote work alongside hybrid teams and digital-first operations has turned traditional onboarding processes into obsolete systems. Face-to-face meetings and paperwork can't work when your employees start their job from three different time zones.
Here's what's happening right now:
As of 2025 42% of Australian businesses have adopted digital solutions for remote onboarding which shows the essential role technology plays today. Merely possessing digital tools does not guarantee effective outcomes.
Organisations which achieve genuine outcomes utilise robust onboarding software that delivers attributes designed for contemporary workplace challenges. These elements serve as key determinants between new hires who start strong and those who face several months of difficulties settling into their roles.
Ready for a surprising fact about hiring costs?
The financial impact of hiring the wrong employee usually falls between $15,000 and $75,000 which varies based on the position. The majority of problematic employee situations result from good people who failed to receive adequate initial training and support.
Inadequate onboarding software attributes create an environment where new employees are destined to struggle. New employees are unable to understand company procedures which results in them not being able to locate necessary resources and feeling isolated from their team and company culture.
That's a recipe for disaster.
Not all onboarding software is created equal. The platforms that produce effective results exhibit particular characteristics that improve the employee experience immediately on day one.
The critical point that differentiates successful platforms from the rest looks like this:
Top-notch onboarding software extends beyond data storage by orchestrating the entire onboarding process automatically. The automated system ensures new hires receive necessary information precisely when needed without HR needing to manage every step manually.
Automated reminders during the onboarding process help 32% of companies maintain compliance for good reasons. Automated workflows create seamless processes that prevent new employees from being overlooked during onboarding.
Automation ensures that nothing gets overlooked because everything runs as programmed. Employees receive their initial communications and system access through automated processes which ensure they get training schedules and check-ins without manual intervention.
Modern onboarding software must have the ability to adjust according to varied job functions, departmental requirements and personal employee needs. The onboarding path for software developers needs to differ from that of sales representatives because your platform should be capable of recognising these distinctions.
Effective platforms enable creation of workflows specific to roles while customising content for different departments and modifying pace according to employee feedback and advancement.
Here's something most companies get wrong...
Your onboarding software must integrate without issues into your current technological ecosystem. Incompatibility with your HRIS, payroll system, learning management platform and communication tools results in more problems than solutions.
Organisations report that 82% of employee satisfaction rates improve during digital onboarding as long as the tools involved function together without any problems. When systems fail to connect properly they lead to employee frustration and bewilderment which directly contradicts the goals of effective onboarding.
The digital transformation of onboarding extends beyond digitising paper documents. The digital transformation of onboarding should establish connected experiences that provide new employees with support and information from the beginning of their journey.
The permanent presence of remote and hybrid work requires your onboarding software to function seamlessly from any location and across all devices. New hires can finish their onboarding process from home or the office or anywhere else through cloud-based platforms.
Optimal platforms function well on mobile devices and work consistently across various browsers while remaining accessible from every employee access point.
Discover the groundbreaking features of contemporary onboarding software solutions.
Modern onboarding solutions offer real-time tracking of new hires' progress throughout their onboarding process. HR teams can track the completion status of each step for new hires which enables them to spot bottlenecks early and offer specialised support when necessary.
The goal extends beyond simple task completion because it requires analysing engagement metrics and modifying procedures based on factual evidence instead of guesses.
Here's where things get really interesting...
Businesses implementing AI solutions during onboarding processes experienced a 29% faster time-to-productivity with data supporting this outcome. AI tools can autonomously distribute tasks and recommend following actions while detecting signs of struggle from new employees.
Outstanding onboarding software employs AI to manage routine tasks which enables HR departments to dedicate their time to relationship-building and personalised support where it has real impact.
Organisations must prioritise compliance because it represents a fundamental necessity. Incorrect methods may lead to legal liabilities yet proper processes deliver a smooth experience.
The use of paper-based document collection remains antiquated while also posing a potential liability for businesses. Today's onboarding software must facilitate document collection and storage management through digital processes while implementing robust security protocols.
E-signature functions remove the need to print, sign, scan and email documents through manual processes. Any device allows new hires to finish all necessary paperwork and HR receives immediate confirmation upon completion.
Different industries come with particular compliance needs which your onboarding software must address to avoid any oversights. The system should manage requirements tracking while alerting users about missing elements and creating audit reports automatically.
The optimum onboarding software goes beyond functionality because it enables new hires to enjoy their initial experience. Employees who feel supported and welcomed upon starting show better long-term engagement and productivity.
Static training materials are boring and ineffective. Today's onboarding platforms engage new hires through interactive components such as video content, quizzes, and gamification elements.
The key is variety. The platform must deliver content in multiple formats to accommodate different learning styles while keeping to important deadlines.
Onboarding extends beyond filling out forms and conducting training since its main goal is to help new employees become part of their teams and understand the company culture. The best platforms enable new employees to establish relationships right from their first day through integrated social features.
Onboarding platforms use team introductions, mentorship pairing and company culture lessons to show new employees both their tasks and the methods of working.
Selecting proper onboarding software with essential features leads to organisational success beyond simply enhancing efficiency. Employees who experience seamless and interactive onboarding processes will likely demonstrate better productivity and satisfaction with a strong commitment to their organisation over time.
The data demonstrates clear results coupled with proven advantages and fully developed technology. Modernise your company's onboarding procedures to avoid performance setbacks.
