The number of U.S. companies that conduct human resource transactions over the Web doubled from 27% to 54% in the last year, according to the second annual "Forging Global Links Through Web Technology" survey of nearly 500 employers by management consultants Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Bethesda, Md. What's more, the use of interactive voice response systems is up from 53% to 71%.
"Web technology enables companies to rethink their HR service delivery strategy," says Steve McCormick, virtual HR consultant at Watson Wyatt. "The choice is no longer between insourcing or outsourcing. Now companies can achieve the same HR service goals by networking existing systems and databases into a seamless interface that is directly accessible to employees."