Technology alone can't provide a magic solution to one of themajor challenges facing Human Resources experts and employeesduring open enrollment — but it certainly helps.

“Our biggest challenge is communication,” said Linda Garcia,vice president of human resources for Rooms to Go, a furnitureretailer based just outside Tampa, Fla. Her company has 7,500employees working at 160 retail outlets and seven distributioncenters across the Southeast and Texas.

“We simply don't have the resources to send an HR person toevery store,” Garcia said. “We are taking advantage of technology,and we are combining the best of old- and new-school tactics. Allemployees receive printed materials, we hold as many in-personmeetings as we can and we broadcast those meetings to ourdistribution centers. Technology really has helped us reach ouremployees with a more consistent message.”