What is onboarding software and why does your SME need it?
A onboarding software is a platform that automates and organizes the process of incorporating new employees. It makes you more efficient from day one, reduces repetitive tutoring and visualizes what skills each operator has.
For industrial SMEs, well-implemented onboarding software reduces training costs between 30-40%, accelerates time-to-productivity in 2-3 days and records the competence management clearly.
The problem: Onboarding without software
The majority of industrial SMEs do onboarding manually:
- Dependency of the guardian: The best operator spends 3-5 days teaching while it stops producing. Estimated cost: €150-250 per incorporation in lost time.
- Without competency management: There is no record of what each person knows how to do. Impossible to know who dominates which process or position.
- Inconsistency: Onboarding depends on who tutors. Every time it's different. No standardization.
- Operational errors: 40% more errors during the first 5 days because the new one does not have clear access to the instructions.
- Rotation: CTI (Cost to Incorporate) rises exponentially in companies with high turnover or ETT staff.
The solution: Onboarding software + Skills management
An onboarding software reduces the friction of the first day. The competence management integrated records the evolution of the operator.
Onboarding in the position
The new operator finds clear instructions on the machine from the first day. He does not look for papers or remember by heart.
Less tutoring, more productivity
The expert spends 30% less time teaching. The onboarding software guides, the tutor only accompanies what is critical.
Documented competency management
Automatic recording of each execution. You visualize which processes each operator masters. Real data, not scattered papers.
Consistent Onboarding
Everyone receives the same onboarding. No variations depending on who teaches. Repeatable sorted additions.
ROI of onboarding software in SMEs
Practical example: An SME with 50 workers that hires 2 people per month you would save ~€600/month in direct tutoring costs + ~€800/month in lost performance = €1,400/month. Annual: €16,800. An onboarding software costs €49/month.
Competence management: The invisible factor of software onboarding
Many onboarding software only documents the process. The best onboarding software integrate competence management from day 1.
What is competency management in onboarding?
Automatic recording of which processes the operator completed, with what quality and in how much time. Not only did he "attend training" but he "executed the process correctly 10 times."
❌ Without competency management
- 18/03 - Juan attended machine A training
- Attendance signature
- END
- You don't really know if he masters the machine
✅ With competency management
- 18/03 - Juan executes machine A process (guided)
- 19/03 - Juan executes machine A process (semi-autonomous)
- 20/03 - Juan executes machine A process (autonomous) x3
- 21/03 - Competence: CERTIFIED
- You know exactly what he can do alone
Types of onboarding software for SMEs
1. Generic SaaS software onboarding
Workable, BambooHR, etc. General purpose tools. Good for administration, weak in plant operations. Sometimes they do not capture actual competency management.
2. Onboarding specialized industrial software
Platforms focused on manufacturing. They capture real processes in the plant, competency management by execution, SOP documentation.
3. Custom software onboarding
Tailor-made solutions. More expensive, slower to implement, but highly specific.
Checklist: Does your SME need onboarding software?
If you scored 3+ points: An onboarding software will probably save you money in the first 3-6 months.
Ready to improve your onboarding?
REELEVO is an onboarding software + skills management designed for industrial SMEs. From €49/month.