Bullhorn has more than 1,400 firms and 14,000 users worldwide of its software-asa- service (SaaS) product, which integrates diary and sourcing features with applicant tracking and customer relationship management features.

Like many in the SaaS sector, Barry Hinckley, president and co-founder of Bullhorn, believes client/server solutions will be usurped by web-based SaaS offerings, which mean no software has to be loaded or maintained locally.

He explained that because it is a more efficient delivery model, the software can develop more rapidly. “Customers receive four upgrades a year and we’re already on version 66 of Bullhorn,” he said, adding that the software has evolved as a direct result of input from recruiters. One popular feature is the in-built email facility which can replace Outlook. “Around 50-70% of what happens in recruitment happens in the mailbox, so we can capture the recruiter’s entire day,” he said.

One of the first users in the UK is Talascend, formerly EPCglobal, a global engineering resourcing consultancy specialising in engineering and construction. European managing director Russell Dalgleish told Recruiter that the company switched from its existing homegrown platform to
Bullhorn because of plans to expand internationally.

“There could be a challenge in using a new product here that is supported by a company in North America but so far support has been exemplary and Bullhorn has a strong roadmap of new technology,” he said. Commenting on the benefits of the email feature, he added: “Because everything is tracked in the system, we can easily report on it all.”

Henry Massey, director of Circle People, which specialises in the areas of IT, risk and business transformation, is another early adoptor of Bullhorn in the UK and said the SaaS approach had given staff the flexibility to work at home, and reduce support costs.

“SaaS removes much of the need for support, improves remote access, makes updates easier and means that we no longer have to back up our own database,” he said. “All you need to provide your recruiter with now is a PC, phone and notepad. With no distractions, recruiters and their managers can get on with the job of placing people.”

www.bullhorn.com