Not sure if your HR platform can keep up?
You might already have the features you’re looking for…
Some teams start looking for a new system when things feel stuck. Reports aren’t doing what they should. The interface feels clunky. Someone sees a sleek demo from a newer platform. Suddenly, it feels like the grass is greener on the other side.
But here’s the thing. Most of the time, the platform isn’t the problem. The real issue is what hasn’t been used yet. What’s not connected. What hasn’t been set up in a way that works for your people.
A 2023 KPMG study found that most organizations don’t fully activate the features they already have. New functionality gets released, but often never rolled out. The result? Missed opportunities across the board.
You probably don’t need another platform. You need smarter use of the one you already have. And maybe a few smart connections around it.
Before jumping to new platforms, start by asking the right questions: What exactly isn’t working? Where are the real bottlenecks? What are employees struggling to do today? What’s the actual delta from “meh” to “yeah!”?
Once you have that clarity, take a second look at your current platform. You don’t have to figure this out by yourself. The teams that get the most out of their platform usually bring in the right mix of people. That might include your Cornerstone account manager, your customer success contact, and partners like Octily who know how to unlock what’s possible. Sometimes it just takes a fresh perspective to spot what’s already there.
You might be surprised at what it can already do with the right setup.
Source: KPMG
Not Missing. Just Unused.
| What feels missing | What’s already there | How we can help |
|---|---|---|
| Deep analytics and better insights | Cornerstone offers dashboards for learning and skills that track progress, measure completions, and highlight gaps. Reporting includes support for external learners and compliance tracking | We help teams build dashboards that connect learning to business goals and use skills data to drive progress. This often includes combining Cornerstone reporting tools with custom visualizations that make insights easier to act on. |
| A proper mobile experience | Mobile-friendly custom pages that work across all devices | We design pages and content that are fully responsive and accessible from any screen size, without needing to rely on the Cornerstone mobile app. Your content stays clear, fast, and easy to use everywhere. |
| Easy integrations | Widgets, connectors, and API-based sync options to connect different tools and systems. | We help you connect small but important pieces. Whether it’s surfacing tasks from your HR system, embedding feeds, or streamlining user flows between systems, we design touchpoints that work smoothly without a heavy integration project. |
| Custom workflows and flexibility | Page Builder, widgets, automations, dynamic fields, rule-based visibility | We create pages and flows that support your teams’ daily work, reduce manual steps, and make key actions easier to complete. |
| A cleaner, on-brand interface | Theme settings, modular layouts, flexible structure | We fine-tune the design to reflect your brand and remove friction points along the way |
What Companies Think Their Platform Can’t Do
In a recent survey, hundreds of organizations shared what they feel is missing from their current setup.
The pain points are real, but they’re often less about missing features and more about how disconnected the experience feels in daily work. Manual processes, siloed systems, and clunky interfaces are still slowing people down.
Here’s what the data shows:
want better integration with other tools
Data is stuck in silos, making it harder to connect systems and create a seamless user experience across platforms.
want a better employee experience
Clunky interfaces and disconnected content make it harder for employees to find what they need and stay engaged.
Source: KPMG
Why Companies Should Rethink Before They Replace
Switching platforms can feel like the easy fix. But in reality, it is rarely simple. New systems often promise exciting features and show off sleek demos. But you are not comparing like for like. You are comparing your real, day-to-day experience to someone else’s polished marketing version.
And switching comes with real costs. Implementation takes time. Migrations are expensive. Teams have to relearn processes, rebuild integrations, and redo configurations that already exist.
That is also why many companies choose to stay with Cornerstone. It is designed to support the full employee lifecycle: learning, development, skills, compliance, and talent management in one place. Because it is highly configurable, it can adapt to the way your company actually works instead of forcing you into a standard setup.
There are many strong platforms on the market, including Thrive, Docebo, Degreed, 360Learning, and HiBob. Each brings attractive features, but in many cases those same capabilities already exist within Cornerstone and can be tailored to your organization.
Before replacing your system, it is worth taking a closer look at what is already available and how it can be set up to deliver the results you are after.
When two platforms work better together
Cornerstone is not designed to replace your core HR system. That is what Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, or Oracle are built for.
But when used together, they can create a seamless employee experience. Cornerstone focuses on learning, skills, performance, and development, while core HR systems handle worker records, payroll, job structures, and compensation. Connected properly, the two sides reinforce each other.
New hires can be synced instantly so learning and onboarding begin on day one. Training plans can be matched to upcoming role changes or hiring needs. Performance reviews can be linked to recognition and pay decisions. And analytics from both systems can combine into a full view of talent, growth potential, and business impact.
When everything is connected, it feels like one platform working in sync, with fewer manual steps.
A smarter way to get more out of what you already have
Before jumping to a new tool, here are a few steps that make a real difference:
Run a quick audit
List what you’re already licensed for and what’s being used today
Enable the good stuff
Many advanced features are already included, just not switched on
Connect the dots
Integrate your HR system, analytics tools, or content libraries so they work together
Clean up the interface
Make it easy for people to find what they need and move through tasks quickly
Train the right people at the right time
Short, focused sessions are more effective than long guides or annual refreshers
Keep a living roadmap
Review usage every few months, add new ideas, and retire what no longer works
Our part in all of this
An in-depth audit highlights under-used modules, dormant dashboards, and quick wins that unlock immediate value.
Core Cornerstone pages can be redesigned to reflect your branding, remove daily pain points, and surface the content and features employees need to get things done.
Cornerstone covers a lot, but a few key elements that boost engagement or support your HR strategy might still be missing. Features like feedback widgets, article comments, or browser notifications can be added with OCE. And if it doesn’t exist yet, we’ll find a way to build it.
We help you design content and flows that work alongside your existing HR tools, without the need for complex integrations. Whether it’s embedding simple tasks, adding lightweight widgets, or creating triggers that guide users to the right next step, we create seamless experiences for employees without adding technical overhead.
Map every step across onboarding, compliance, development, and engagement. Plan, customize, and measure each touchpoint to guide employees, reduce friction, and support progress.
Create a template setup your team can manage with ease. Build pages and keep content up to date across any format such as FAQs, policies, campaigns, academies, or other page types that support your strategy.
Pages and features are fully responsive and load quickly, giving users a smooth, consistent experience on any screen size or device.
Focused, role-based sessions build confidence for admins and content owners, turning powerful features into daily habits.
Even the best features can go unnoticed if no one knows they’re there. Use video, illustrations, characters, and motion design to build excitement and drive awareness through internal campaigns and creative assets.
More and more companies are bringing in the right partners to get more out of their existing platforms. In fact, nearly 40 % already work with external experts to roll out new features and manage SaaS improvements.
Still thinking you need something new?
Try this instead:
List the top three challenges you’re facing today.
Then take a closer look at what your current platform is actually capable of.
Chances are, the solution is closer than you think. No new platform needed. The real shift happens when you set up what you already have to work better for your team.
Make the Most of What You Already Have
Still wondering what your platform is really capable of? We help teams uncover what’s already there, connect the pieces, and make it all work better together.
Missing features? Managing content across systems? Tired of workarounds? We can help you take control again.
Get in touch, send an email, or book a meeting. We would love to explore what we can create together.
