With the newest iteration of its Strategic Workforce Optimization suite, Evolve Software Inc. is entering the IT work force automation space.
Evolve, of Emeryville, Calif., which previously focused on service integrators needs, is pushing into IT and other high-tech areas with Evolve4 and expanding the companys overall platform capabilities, officials said.
Evolve4, due July 31, has three new modules that address corporate IT departments needs: Portfolio Manager, Knowledge Collaboration and Contract Manager. Portfolio Manager gives an overview of which IT projects are in place and whats happening with each project. The module enables users to analyze and make projections using Evolves Resource Management database. Knowledge Collaboration combines project management and knowledge management capabilities to standardize unstructured data such as résumés and e-mail. It also helps project team management deliverables.
Contract Manager is a Web-based portal that lets companies work with contract companies through such functions as accepting electronically submitted résumés, negotiating rates, conducting online interviews and following up on contract negotiations with settlements.
Evolve isnt alone. Traditional enterprise resource planning vendors such as PeopleSoft Inc. and Lawson Software recently entered the work force management arena. PeopleSoft bought SkillsVillage Inc. in May, and that month Lawson announced at its user conference that it, too, will venture into the market.
Tim King, director of operations at InfoSphere Inc., in Fort Worth, Texas, uses Evolve3 to manage the work force management chains workflow process. King sees advantages to Evolves upgrade, including the shift from a thick-client server model to a fully Web-enabled one. Another key upgrade is global scheduling. “We have offices in Mexico, and [Evolve3] was not able to support [international] holiday changes,” King said.