Smart SaaS

Company:              Kenexa

Started:                 1987

Located:                Wayne, Pennsylvania

Geography:           Global

Market:                  On-demand Enterprise Recruitment Management

Products:

Employee Assessment

Recruitment Process Outsourcing

Talent Management

Surveys

Key Customers:     Cablevision, ConAgra, Hilton Hotels, Pitney Bowes and SAP.

Website:                 Kenexa

Blog:                      Kenexa Blog

Recent News:

You Can’t Spell Appraisal Without “Praise”: The Kenexa Research Institute Finds that Performance Appraisals Positively Affect Employee Attitudes

Hiring Becomes More Precise With Kenexa’s Enhanced Interview Assessment Solution

Kenexa Thought Leader To Present At Dubai School Of Government

I asked Ron Hanscome, VP of Product Strategy a few questions about Kenexa and his view of the SaaS market in 2009.

Did you start out as a Software-as-a-Service company?

Kenexa began operations in 1987 as a provider of recruitment services to a wide variety of industries. In 1993, we offered our first automated recruitment management system, and by 1997, we had expanded to provide employee research, employee performance management technology and consulting services. In late 1997, responding to growing demand from our customers, we embarked on a strategy to provide comprehensive human capital management services integrated with on-demand software. Since that time Kenexa has participated in the evolution of HCM software from hosted applications to full multi-tenant SaaS, and all current (as well as future) solutions are built according to this model

Why do your customers buy from Kenexa?

Many prospective customers today are looking for more than just a technology solution, or even process optimization along with technology; they are looking for solutions that truly impact their organization’s critical outcomes. They are also looking for providers that are able to partner with them to truly understand their business and help them to build a better workforce.

We help companies identify the right individuals and create the right environments to enhance individual and organizational performance. The formula i X e = s is our foundation for maximizing business success. When you multiply the right individual by the right environment, success is inevitable.

The i in our formula stands for individual. Successful companies are built one person at a time.

The e in our formula stands for environment. High performing organizations result from work environments that create engaged, aligned and motivated employees.

The s in our formula stands for success. Success refers to the ability of an organization to realize every part of its mission and vision, while driving measurable business outcomes.

The multiplication sign in our formula is the secret to unlocking human potential. It is the factor that separates Kenexa from every other company in the marketplace. While other companies have tools to affect either the i or the e, Kenexa has the solutions to impact both, and thus multiply business outcomes.

Through science supported by more than 100 applied human scientists and 600 HR professionals, technology based on expertise and extensive research and development, business processes reinforced by more than 1,400 professionals, and customized consulting with every business partner, no other business in the HR industry can do what we do for organizations.

What do you see as the key trend emerging in the SaaS industry?

At Kenexa we don’t really think of SaaS as an industry unto itself; rather, we believe that SaaS is a way to deliver our solutions in an effective, efficient manner to our customers. To be successful, providers in the talent management space need to be able to embed their consulting and domain expertise as well as their applied human science into their solutions; without it they will not be able to deliver demonstrable business impact to their customers. This requires developers, domain experts and scientists to work collaboratively in new ways – those that can quickly implement this new approach will see greater success and market penetration.

What is your outlook for 2009?

Despite the tough economy, Kenexa is still seeing significant interest in its SaaS integrated talent management solutions. More than ever, organizations are looking for proven ROI and business impact, and our unique blend of science, consulting, business process expertise, and technology is resonating with the market. Kenexa continues to invest in its solutions while maintaining a strong focus on profitable growth. With no long-term debt and a strong cash position, our long-term viability is another reason that prospective customers will continue to choose Kenexa. We also expect to continue our strong trend of selling additional products into our customer base.