Custom HR app development for modern organisations
From pre-boarding to offboarding: we build HR applications that digitise the entire employee journey. Custom software that relieves HR teams, empowers employees and enables data-driven decision-making.
The challenge of HR digitalisation
HR departments manage dozens of processes at once: leave requests, onboarding programmes, performance cycles, expense claims, certifications and compliance records. In many organisations, this still runs on loose spreadsheets, email chains and legacy systems that don't talk to each other.
The result: HR professionals spend most of their time on administration rather than strategic people management. Employees experience friction with simple tasks, and managers lack the data they need to make good decisions about their teams. A custom-built HR app fundamentally solves this by centralising, automating and visualising processes.
Onboarding & preboarding
Digital welcome programmes, contract signing and buddy matching before day one.
Employee self-service
Request leave, submit expense claims and update personal details from an app.
HR helpdesk automation
AI chatbot for frequently asked questions, smart ticket routing and a self-service knowledge base.
Performance management
360-degree feedback, OKR tracking and continuous check-ins instead of annual reviews.
Technology behind modern HR software
We build HR applications on a scalable, secure architecture that fits within your organisation's existing IT landscape. From identity management to AI-driven analytics, every component is chosen based on your specific requirements.
Identity & access
- SAML 2.0 / OAuth 2.0
- Azure AD / Entra ID
- SSO integration
- RBAC (role-based access)
- MFA enforcement
AI & NLP
- Conversational AI chatbots
- Sentiment analysis
- Attrition prediction models
- Skills-matching algorithms
- Document intelligence
Architecture
- Microservices (event-driven)
- API-first design
- Containerised deployment
- Real-time sync & webhooks
- Multi-tenant or dedicated
Compliance & security
- GDPR by design
- Data residency (EU)
- Audit trails & logging
- Encryption at rest & in transit
- ISO 27001 aligned
HR domains we digitalise
Each stage of the employee lifecycle requires specific tooling. We build bespoke solutions for each domain that connect seamlessly, so you avoid duplicate data entry and employees enjoy a consistent experience.
Recruitment & selection
Applicant tracking, AI-driven CV screening, structured interview scorecards and candidate experience portals. Integration with job boards and your own careers page.
Pre- & onboarding
Digital contract signing, preboarding apps with welcome videos and checklists, buddy matching, IT provisioning triggers and progress monitoring for hiring managers.
Learning & development
Course catalogues with certification workflows, skills matrices, personal development plans, manager approvals and integration with external e-learning platforms.
Performance & growth
Continuous feedback loops, 360-degree reviews, OKR and KPI dashboards, talent pools, succession planning and data-driven promotion criteria.
Payroll & benefits
Expense claim workflows with photo upload, integration with payroll providers, cafeteria schemes, pension insight and automatic processing of mutations when contracts change.
Offboarding & alumni
Exit interview forms, knowledge transfer checklists, equipment return, access deprovisioning and alumni network portals for future rehires.
Our approach to HR app development
HR software directly affects the employee experience and sensitive personal data. That is why we work to a structured approach that ensures compliance, user adoption and scalability from day one.
Process mining & requirements
We map your current HR processes, identify bottlenecks and define the desired employee experience. This includes stakeholder interviews with HR, IT and end users.
Architecture & integration design
We design the technical architecture, including integrations with your existing HRIS, payroll system and identity provider. Data flows and the security model are documented.
Iterative development
Agile sprints with working software every two weeks. The HR team and employees test along through pilot groups. Feedback is processed immediately in the next iteration.
Rollout & adoption
Phased rollout by department or location, with change management support, in-app onboarding flows and helpdesk integration. Monitoring of adoption rates and user satisfaction.
Integrations with your HR ecosystem
An HR app never stands alone. We connect your custom application to the systems you already use, so data synchronises automatically and employees don't have to switch between tools.
No standard integration available? We build custom API integrations with any system that offers a REST or SOAP interface. Legacy systems can also be connected via middleware or ETL processes.
Frequently asked questions about HR app development
How long does it take to develop an HR app?
+A first working module (for example employee self-service or onboarding) is typically live within 8 to 12 weeks. A complete HR platform spanning multiple domains and integrations takes on average 4 to 8 months, depending on complexity and the number of integrations with existing systems.
How do you ensure GDPR compliance for HR data?
+Privacy by design is part of our architecture. That means: minimal data collection, encryption of personal data, role-based access control, automatic retention policies and full audit trails. We host within the EU and support DPIA (Data Protection Impact Assessment) processes.
Can the app integrate with our existing HRIS or payroll system?
+Yes. We build integrations with all the common HR and payroll systems, such as AFAS, Nmbrs, SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, ADP and Loket.nl. Integrations with identity providers (Azure AD, Okta) and productivity tools (Microsoft 365, Slack) are also a standard part of our approach.
Do you also support mobile use?
+Absolutely. Most HR actions (requesting leave, giving feedback, completing onboarding tasks) are now carried out on mobile. We build responsive web apps or native iOS and Android apps, depending on your requirements around offline access, push notifications and device management.
How do you ensure user adoption?
+Adoption starts at the design stage: we involve end users from the first sprint through pilot groups. We also build in-app onboarding flows, contextual help and intuitive UX that requires no manual. During rollout we support you with change management advice and metrics dashboards to monitor adoption per team.
How much does it cost to develop an HR app?
+The investment depends on scope, the number of domains and the complexity of integrations. We work with a transparent sprint model: you pay per two-week iteration and can adjust course after each sprint. Get in touch for a no-obligation scoping session in which we review your situation.
Ready to transform your HR processes?
Tell us about your biggest HR challenge. In a no-obligation conversation, we'll explore together which digital solution will have the greatest impact on your organisation and employee experience.
From spreadsheet to people platform
Whether it's a pre-boarding app for new starters, an HR helpdesk with an AI chatbot or a complete people analytics dashboard, we build the HR technology that suits your organisation. No off-the-shelf solution, but bespoke software that grows with your team.
For the technical details, see building an HR system at applatenmaken.com.