Despite the promises of modern HR technology—streamlining processes, unlocking insights, empowering people teams—the reality for many HR professionals is… a bit messier.
In our Index by Udder survey, we asked HR leaders about the biggest challenges they’re facing with their current HR tech stack.
The results were eye-opening:
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64% said integration difficulties were a major issue
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40% are still stuck with too many manual processes
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48% say their current tools lack necessary features
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32% struggle with usability
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28% cite process inefficiencies
In other words: while the HR tech market has boomed, the experience for many users hasn't kept up.
Integration: The Unfinished Puzzle
The most cited issue—integration difficulties (64%)—is a familiar pain point.
Many HR platforms are purchased to solve specific problems (like recruitment or onboarding), but they rarely plug seamlessly into the wider tech ecosystem. This results in siloed systems, duplicated data entry, and missed insights.
Instead of automation, teams end up performing ‘digital admin’—moving data between platforms manually, just to keep things working.
Manual Work is Still the Default for Many
Manual processes came in second, with 40% of respondents calling it a major challenge.
These aren’t just minor tasks—they’re often critical workflows:
- Reporting that takes hours to compile
- Onboarding journeys built from scratch each time
- Performance reviews managed in spreadsheets
That’s not just inefficient—it’s demoralising for HR teams who signed up to be strategic, not just operational.
What Does This Tell Us?
It tells us that HR tech isn’t always serving the people who use it most.
Whether it’s a lack of integration, clunky design, or tools that weren’t built with HR in mind, the result is the same:
HR is spending too much time working around tech, instead of with it.
So… What Can You Do?
Start with a benchmark.
The Index by Udder is a quick, free assessment designed to show how your HR function stacks up across technology, people, process and culture.
You’ll get an objective view of where your biggest opportunities lie—and where your tech might be holding you back.