IBM introduces cloud-based products that apply big data techniques to recruitment and HR

IT giant IBM launched three new cloud-based tools overnight aimed at the human resources and recruitment market, as part of its Smarter Workforce initiative.

The products are based on a data mining technique called predictive analytics, where a computer searches through a database to find patterns from which predictions about the future can be made.

The first of the new products, called Kenexa Predictive Hiring, uses a database of existing performance and behavioural data to identify traits that can be used to identify top performing staff. These can applied during the recruitment process to predict which candidates are likely to be effective.

The second is called Kenexa Workforce Readiness, and applies predictive analytics to skills testing data to help businesses put together more effective teams.

The third, called Kenexa Predictive Retention, applies predictive analytics to exit data and workforce data to identify which staff are most likely to leave a company.

The products were announced less than a month after IBM promised to develop 100 industry-specific cloud-based apps for iPhone and iOS as part of a partnership with Apple.