HR software with learning and development: how IRIS connects HR and learning

IRIS provides HR software with learning and development through Staffology HR and IRIS Cascade, connected to Kallidus Learn LMS, so learning is driven by the same employee data as HR.

If you’re seeking HR software with learning and development (L&D) functionality, you need to make a decision: do you want learning built into the HR suite as a module, or delivered by a specialist platform that connects to your HR record?

IRIS takes the second route.

Staffology HR and IRIS Cascade connect with Kallidus Learn LMS to provide you with the best of both HR and learning.

These systems are built for UK organisations, serving a range of business sizes from 50 to over 1,000 employees.

This page explains how that works in practice, what the Kallidus platform covers and how UK organisations use it to assign and evidence mandatory training.

What does ‘HR software with L&D’ actually mean?

HR software with L&D typically covers three options.

Native learning management system inside the HR software

Here, learning is a module within the HR software, meaning one vendor, one contract.

However, the trade-off is often functionality.

Modules inside HR tend to offer less depth than a dedicated learning platform.

Standalone learning platform

A standalone L&D platform is bought separately from your HR software, often chosen for the quality of the learning.

With this option, the trade-off is that you have a second employee database because the learning platform sits separately from your HR software.

Without integration, joiners, movers and leavers need to be entered and managed twice, and there is often a disconnect between your learning data and employee records.

HR software integrated with a specialist learning platform

An integrated approach between HR and learning means that the HR system connects directly with the learning platform.

With this option, employee records and learning data are maintained by a supported, automated connection between the two systems.

The trade-off is that it only works if the integration is real and supported.

An integration that relies on someone remembering to run it is not true integration, and will result in additional administrative work.

HR software with L&D: option summary

How does IRIS deliver learning and development?

IRIS provides the HR software and the employee record, and Kallidus provides the learning platform.

In practical terms, IRIS holds accurate employee data built for UK employment requirements, and Kallidus brings depth in course delivery, certification tracking and learning reporting.

Staffology HR connects to Kallidus Learn LMS through an API.

IRIS Cascade also connects using an API, but SFTP integration is available where the fixed API integration is not technically viable.

The integration is set up once during implementation and then runs in the background.

There’s no scheduled file export that someone has to remember.

Your HR data flows into the learning platform, meaning new and existing employees have their learner accounts built from the record already held in Staffology HR or IRIS Cascade.

If someone changes role or moves department and needs different training, that change carries across to Kallidus rather than needing to be re-entered.

Aside from reducing administrative work, what does this integration mean? With employee and learning records connected, training can be allocated, progress can be tracked and managers can be alerted if someone is falling behind.

Why did IRIS partner with Kallidus for learning and development?

The two areas call for different expertise.

IRIS invests in HR functionality and compliance-grade accuracy for UK organisations.

Kallidus invests in course libraries, learner experience and analytics, backed by more than 20 years in the learning market.

What can employers do with the Kallidus learning platform?

Once Kallidus Learn LMS is connected with your IRIS HR software, you get an extensive learning platform that runs on connected employee data.

Kallidus course delivery and content

• Access over 250 interactive, scenario-based courses
• Fully AA accessible, mobile-friendly
• Upload and manage your own learning content alongside the Kallidus library
• Create blended training that combines eLearning, video and instructor-led sessions
• Deliver training content in over 100 languages
• Complete training on any device with an internet connection

Compliance and mandatory training

• Assign mandatory training by individual, role, team or organisation
• Capture training completion
• Hold training certifications and renewal dates against employee records

Cover the mandatory training UK employers are expected to evidence

• GDPR and data protection awareness, under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
• Health and safety, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Fire safety, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales, with equivalent regimes in Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Manual handling, under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, supporting obligations under the Equality Act 2010

Learning paths and development

• Offer role-specific learning pathways
• Provide structured onboarding programmes
• Give managers a clear view of their team’s progress
• Enable managers to assign learning
• Link learning to performance conversations and development plans

Reporting

• Track training completion rates
• Locate overdue training
• Run reports by team, site, role or course
• Evidence compliance without chasing spreadsheets
• Enable managers to see where their team stands without asking HR

Is an integrated learning platform worse than built-in L&D?

While having a single product may seem like the most important factor, it’s only one part of the overall offering and shouldn’t dictate decisions.

What truly matters is whether:

• Employee records are connected or split
• People can easily reach their training
• The learning platform is genuinely good

IRIS HR software ensures the first two and brings in Kallidus for the third.

Five questions to ask before buying HR software with L&D

1. How are learners created and offboarded?
2. How is compliance training evidenced for audit?
3. Does the course library suit your sector?
4. What happens to learning records if you change HR provider?
5. What’s the total cost across both platforms?

How much of a learning platform can you configure?

While IRIS and Kallidus are on hand to support with set-up, the beauty of the platform is that you can configure it to your needs.

• User roles and permissions: define who administers the platform, who assigns/approves training and what managers see.
• Automatic assignment: assign training by role, department, site or contract type, so new starters automatically receive the necessary training.
• Mandatory vs optional: flag training as either mandatory or optional, and set deadlines, schedule reminders and escalate overdue training to line managers.
• Renewal and expiry cycles: set how long a certification stays valid and create a renewal prompt for when it expires.
• Branding: apply your own branding to the learning environment.
• Reporting: build and save the reports you want running regularly, and schedule reports to run automatically.

Which IRIS HR software is right for your organisation?

IRIS HR software is built for UK organisations from 50 to 1,000+ employees.

Staffology HR suits organisations of around 50 to 250 employees with straightforward HR processes – typically those that have outgrown spreadsheets, manual processes or disconnected tools and want comprehensive HR without complex configuration.

Between roughly 250 and 1,000 employees, either product can fit, and the choice depends on the complexity of your needs.

Staffology HR is the route where HR processes remain relatively straightforward.

IRIS Cascade is the route where the HR function is more developed and where reporting requirements are deeper.

Above 1,000 employees, IRIS Cascade is the appropriate platform.

Both products are built for UK organisations and UK employment requirements, and both connect to Kallidus Learn LMS, available through the IRIS HR Marketplace.

See IRIS and Kallidus in action

The quickest way to judge a system is to see it in action.

Book a demo and see how our Kallidus integration can help you transform the learner experience.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Does IRIS HR software include learning and development?

Yes, through our partner, Kallidus. IRIS Cascade and Staffology HR both connect to Kallidus Learn LMS. Kallidus is a specialist learning platform that integrates with the employee records in IRIS Cascade and Staffology HR.

How does Kallidus integrate with Staffology HR and IRIS Cascade?

The integration between Kallidus and IRIS is designed to streamline employee data management by pulling active employee details, job information and hierarchy data. Both Staffology HR and IRIS Cascade can connect to Kallidus via an API. However, IRIS Cascade also offers SFTP integration where the fixed API integration is not technically viable.

Can I track mandatory and compliance training in IRIS HR software?

Yes, with Kallidus Learn LMS connected to Staffology HR or IRIS Cascade, you can record which certifications each employee holds, when they were completed, when they expire and who’s already overdue. This can also be reported by team, site or role.

Does IRIS HR software support UK compliance training requirements?

Yes, with Kallidus Learn LMS connected to Staffology HR or IRIS Cascade, UK organisations can assign mandatory training such as:

• GDPR awareness
• Health and safety
• Fire safety
• Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

With Kallidus, you can track training completion against the employee record and report on overdue or expiring training by team, site or role.

Which IRIS HR software is right for a mid-sized UK organisation?

For a UK organisation of 200 to 1,000 employees, either fits. Staffology HR suits straightforward HR processes and deploys in weeks. IRIS Cascade suits complex HR requirements, deeper reporting and organisations consolidating an existing system. Both connect to Kallidus Learn LMS.

What size organisation is IRIS HR software built for?

IRIS HR software is built for UK organisations of roughly 50 to 1,000+ employees. Staffology HR suits smaller and less complex HR functions and IRIS Cascade suits complex requirements and deeper reporting.