Advantage
Building a high-performance and secure IT infrastructure
Data
Diverse data sources
Toolset
Open Source R, RStudio Server, SAP HANA, Active Directory Identification
Challenge
SMA Solar Technology AG relies on development interviews as a tool for personnel development. Their focus is on competency management. The outcome of the interview is a target-actual comparison of the respective employee's competencies.
The central tool for documenting the interviews is a multi-page paper form. SMA deliberately avoids the use of computers during development interviews to promote a more pleasant atmosphere and interaction between the interviewer and the employee. The form contains the target competency level as a result of the last interview. The actual competency level is then entered manually during the interview. The forms are then manually entered, evaluated, and the results transferred to the SAP® HR system, which requires considerable effort.
Goal
eoda was asked to develop a system that, after scanning the documents, reads the hand-entered crosses and numbers and then transfers the recorded values to the SAP system.
Solution
The first task is to design the forms generated from the SAP system in such a way that they ensure the most error-free automatic capture possible. A Java application customized by eoda represents the software solution for reading the scanned documents. To map a holistic workflow without interfaces and media breaks, it is crucial to seamlessly integrate the software with the leading SAP system. A SOAP web service is used to transfer the captured information to the SAP system.
Form Creation
The SAP system for managing personnel data is the leading system in the entire workflow. The forms for determining competency levels are created based on the personnel data maintained in the SAP database. For later automatic capture of the forms, identification features are printed on them, enabling the different versions of the forms to be identified. A barcode also enables clear assignment to the corresponding employee.
Personnel Interview
The printed forms are used by the person in charge of the development interview to record the information obtained about the competency level of the respective employee. Avoiding the use of computers is intended to create a more confidential atmosphere and thus increase the quality and meaningfulness of the interview results. After the interview, the completed forms are scanned for digital storage.
Automatic Capture
The basis of eoda's customized solution is the open source version of optical mark recognition software developed by the University of Kassel. The software is capable of recognizing the different form variants defined in advance using a "scan mask." This allows the position of checkmarks or numbers in boxes in the questionnaire to be recognized and evaluated. Data from free-text fields can also be captured as images from the forms. This is an option in cases where error-free automatic recognition of individual content is not possible due to data protection reasons or poor handwriting. In addition to the automated data recognition process, the captured data can be manually compared with the scanned documents and corrected if necessary. A supplementary software module enables SMA employees to create "read-in masks" for new variants of the data entry form. This allows them to make individual adjustments independently. eoda supported SMA employees in using the new form evaluation software by training the responsible employees.
Integration of results
Using the web-based SOAP data exchange protocol, the received information is transferred to the SAP system with a single click and integrated there for further use. The data in the SAP HR system then forms the basis for specific support measures and for creating forms for the next interview.
Result
Especially in knowledge-intensive companies, human resources represent the most important resource. Therefore, the development and advancement of employees is one of the most important tasks of management in general and of human resources departments in particular. Well-managed and meaningful employee data forms the basis for structuring concrete development measures.
Efficient competency management processes, supported by intelligent IT systems that allow for real-life conversations, relieve the burden on HR staff. They can thus better focus on their core HR tasks. The automatic capture of forms and their transfer to the SAP system significantly reduces the effort involved.
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We look forward to exchanging ideas with you.
Your expert on Data-Science-Projects:
Lutz Mastmayer
projects@eoda.de
Tel. +49 561 87948-370
