OrangeHRM is a leading human resource management (HRM) company that offers several products. This free and open source HR software is basic compared to its more advanced package. However, it is a flexible option that you can customize as per your requirements.
OrangeHRM is a self-hosted product, which means that getting started is a little trickier than your average Human resources program (Opens in a new tab). In this guide, we provide step-by-step instructions to help you get started in a simple and hassle-free way.
How to build an HR system using OrangeHRM: preparation
There are a few different things you need to do before you can use OrangeHRM. For one, you will need to get some web hosting. Orange HRM is self-hosted software, and hosting provides the computing resources and hardware needed to run it.
We have used Hostinger (Opens in a new tab), a popular web host known for its industry-leading security packages and very competitive pricing. Their prices usually start at $1.99 per month, but we managed to secure an exclusive deal and Hostinger’s hosting that’s completely free!
One of our favorite things about Hostinger is its automatic installer, which enables you to install OrangeHRM in a matter of minutes. A complete guide to the automatic installer is available here (Opens in a new tab).
Other web hosts include their own one-click installers, but you may have to install the software manually with some providers. Talk to your host’s support team if you’re having problems.
Step 1: Adjust your subtitle settings
Once you’re logged into your OrangeHRM dashboard and familiar with the overall layout, you’ll need to do a few things.
First, update your translation settings. Head to Admin > Configuration > Localization and set the language and date format. Custom languages can be added via Admin > Configuration > Language Packs if your language is not pre-installed.
Step 2: Select your units
Next, you will need to select the modules you want to use. Head to Admin > Configuration > Modules, where you will find a list of modules currently in use. Click the Edit button to select or deselect units as required.
Step 3: Configure the email
The OrangeHRM platform allows you to set up multiple automated emails, but you need to configure your email settings beforehand. Head to Admin > Configuration > Email Configuration and fill in the required fields.
Make sure to use the option to send a test email to ensure that you have entered the correct information.
You can turn different types of emails on and off under the Email Subscriptions menu, which can be found under Admin > Configuration > Email Subscriptions. You can also add subscribers to each list here if needed.
Step 4: Add organization information
It’s also a good idea to add information about your organization before you start using OrangeHRM. Head to Admin > Organization > General Information to access your organization’s information.
To edit existing information (which will mostly be absent at this point), scroll to the bottom of the page and hit the edit button. You can add things like your tax ID, registration number, and address.
Step 5: Add playback locations (if necessary)
If you’re running a small business in a single office location, you can ignore this. But if you operate from multiple locations, whether globally or within the same country, you must add them to OrangeHRM.
Head to Admin > Organization > Sites, and follow the instructions.
Step 6: Create your Organizational Structure
Adding information about your organization’s structure will help you use OrangeHRM tools more efficiently. Head to Admin > Organization > Sites, where you can define your structure in a visual way. For example, this enables you to see which departments fall under other departments or where the departments are located.
Under Administrator > Job, you can add job-related information that applies across your organization. Completing these tasks is not mandatory, but we suggest making use of them to streamline the HR department’s workflow.
You’ll find clear instructions on how to add relevant information under each menu item. Just ignore the options you don’t want to use.
Step 8: Add Users
At this point, the OrangeHRM system should be well set up. To add new users and manage existing employees, head to PIM > Employee List and follow the instructions. You can set job and salary information and add as much information about each employee as required.
summary
Although setup can take some time, getting started with OrangeHRM is a straightforward process. In this guide, we have outlined each step, allowing you to get started in a hassle-free manner.
If you want a simpler alternative to OrangeHRM that doesn’t require hosting, browse our guide to The best HR software (Opens in a new tab) available today. Instead, check out our website The Complete HR Software Buying Guide (Opens in a new tab) To learn more about the features you should look out for.
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