The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) will use Snowdrop’s HR software to manage its staff data and recruitment processes.

Snowdrop’s recruitment (Spring), personnel records management (Evergreen) and self-service (U-Access) services have all been purchased by the CIOB.

"Our present system is time-consuming and labour intensive - for example CVs have to be named and saved manually. Spring is more efficient and reduces the likelihood of errors," Marianne Meinke, HR Director of the CIOB, told Pay Magazine.

Six suppliers were invited to present their products to the CIOB, after which two were shortlisted and Snowdrop was selected.

Initially the system will be used by three members of the HR team, with other members having access to certain screens, including a member of the finance team, the IT manager and managers. Once U-Access is launched staff will be able to access their own staff records and book holidays on the system. In future the system will also be used for managing the appraisal process through the issuing of reminders.

Meinke said she hoped that HR staff will spend less time managing multiple spreadsheets and documents and all information will be in one place.

"There will be a reduction in absenteeism and thus a reduction in sick pay," she told Pay Magazine. "Paper will also be reduced so less space will be required for storing holiday and attendance forms and, ultimately, appraisal forms. Reporting is a simple process and, as well as individual records, job and salary reports may be produced. This will enable us to ensure equality in reward systems."

The Institute has 110 staff, based around the world, and is planning to add 20 additional members of staff in the coming months.

Project teams from Snowdrop and the CIOB are now working together on a pilot of the software.

The team is currently at stage one: data cleansing. Stage two is the download of information and it will take place next month. The system will then be tested by the HR team and additional testers and the CIOB hopes it will be operational by the end of July.

The U-Access system will be implemented later, as the CIOB needs longer to ensure that confidentiality aspects are "fully considered".