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ATS vs. CRM - What's The Difference, and What's Right For You?

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November 1, 2023

If you run a healthcare staffing agency, chances are you’ve heard of applicant tracking systems (ATS) and customer relationship management (CRM). Both tools are incredibly important components of maintaining an efficient and successful operation, but they serve very different purposes. It’s important to explore what differentiates ATS from CRMs and examine their advantages and disadvantages individually to provide insight into the benefits for each solution, along with which one may be best suited for your organization’s needs.  

Whether or not you use Insight ATS+ as your recruitment automation platform matters less than understanding how these two solutions fit together to help streamline business processes so that healthcare providers can concentrate on pursuing more meaningful engagements and recruiting expert talent efficiently.

What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

An ATS is a software application designed to to help HR professionals manage recruiting and hiring processes. An ATS helps to simplify the recruitment process by providing a central location for candidate data, allowing recruiters and staffing agency administrators to easily manage and track applicant information. It also helps to reduce the time and costs associated with recruitment by automating repetitive tasks such as candidate screening and application tracking. As job competition continues to increase, an ATS is becoming an essential tool for employers to efficiently manage their hiring process and bring aboard the right people for their organizations.

What is a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and how does it work?

A CRM system is a tool used by businesses to manage interactions with their customers (staffing agencies primarily utilize CRM's to attract new candidates and clients) and is geared toward sales and marketing initiatives. It helps companies streamline their sales processes, track interactions, and analyze  data to provide better services. A CRM typically includes modules for managing sales, marketing, customer service, and support. It works by gathering data from various touchpoints, such as emails, phone calls, social media interactions, and website visits, and consolidating this data into one central location. This allows businesses to have a comprehensive view of their candidate base and to develop better strategies for candidate retention and growth. In short, a CRM is an essential tool for businesses looking to optimize their customer and candidate relations and gain a competitive advantage.

What is ATS+, and how does it differ from ATS?

Looking for a more robust ATS solution? Then you might want to consider ATS+. ATS+ offers more advanced features compared to regular ATS, including customized workflows, advanced analytics, candidate lifecycle visibility, quote-to-confirmation, and machine learning capabilities. It's a great choice for businesses that want to streamline their hiring process even further and optimize their recruitment strategies. With ATS+ you'll be able to efficiently track and manage candidate applications while having a deeper insight into their hiring data. So if you're looking to take your hiring process to the next level, ATS+ might be the perfect solution for you.

Which one is right for you - pros and cons of using an ATS or CRM system:

When choosing between an ATS or CRM system, it's important to understand the pros and cons of both options. While both systems have their benefits, it ultimately comes down to what your specific needs are. If you're looking to streamline your hiring process, an ATS may be the way to go. But if you're looking to build relationships with your candidates and engage them during various steps in the hiring funnel, a CRM might be a better fit. It's important to weigh the pros and cons of each and determine which one is right for you and your business.

Overall, digital systems have revolutionized the way companies interact and manage their data. Whether you choose an ATS or CRM system for your healthcare staffing agency, Insight ATS+ has proven to be a reliable partner that maximizes efficiency, improves collaboration, and streamlines communication between recruiters, applicants and clients. Insight ATS+ was built to address the specific needs of healthcare staffing agencies, which allows us to provide our customers with specialized features required for a successful job placement process.

If you want to learn more about how Insight ATS+ is helping healthcare staffing agencies around the world reach new heights, please out to one of our team members today!

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