Snowdrop Launches Version 5.2 at Softworld Birmingham 2004 IT Training, October 2004 Snowdrop Systems will launch updated versions of its HR and payroll software at the Softworld exhibition at the NEC Birmingham on 20 and 21 October. Version 5.2 has been designed to streamline communication between the human resources and IT departments, speeding up HR processes for new starters, as well as enabling organisations to recruit more easily through their intranet and website. A new component, Snowdrop Directory Services (SDS), provides a link between Snowdrop’s HR/payroll software and an organisation’s IT network. The new component automatically creates network access for new employees as soon as their data is entered into the HR system. The system can also disable network access when an employee leaves the organisation to prevent potential security breaches. Snowdrop Fountain, the training and development module, can now group series of development activities together and apply them simultaneously to a group of individuals. For example, a general induction process may include a variety of standard learning and development activities. These can be grouped together as a learning programme, a quick and easy way of assigning an employee to the waiting lists of all elements of that programme.