Why October 2015 Matters for HR Professionals
The HR industry was shifting rapidly in the early 2010s, pushed by growing demands for transparency, agility, and scalable solutions that worked across borders. October 2015 marked a milestone moment with the launch of the world’s first open source human resources software conference OHRM Con in New York. It wasn't just a gathering. It was a declaration that the future of HR Technology would be collaborative, flexible, and deeply rooted in the needs of its users.
OrangeHRM, already known as a pioneer in the open source space, saw the need for a centralized platform where HR professionals, developers, and visionaries could come together to redefine how human resources should function in a digital world. Their vision went beyond software, it was about community, usability, and innovation. This conference was the materialization of that vision.
At its core, OHRM Con served as a response to a growing movement: organizations wanted HR systems that didn’t trap them in expensive, locked ecosystems. They wanted solutions that were adaptable and transparent. Open source wasn’t just a tech choice, it was a philosophical stance. And in a world increasingly driven by data, the need for user-driven systems became critical. OrangeHRM stepped in with a platform that could evolve with organizations and made it accessible to all.
With that backdrop, October 1–2, 2015 wasn’t simply about sessions and speeches. It was about sparking a new trajectory for HR: one where HR Technology became a strategic ally, not just a background tool.
New York as a Strategic Choice
There’s no place quite like New York City to host a global conversation. A symbol of cultural convergence and business ambition, New York stood as the ideal setting for a conference that sought to break barriers and invite change-makers to the table. The energy, diversity, and accessibility of NYC made it more than a location, it became part of the message.
Hosting OHRM Con in New York was about signaling to the HR world that open source was no longer on the fringe. It was center stage, right in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. From the iconic skyline to the buzzing streets of Times Square, the environment reflected the very qualities that modern HR needed to embrace agility, boldness, and constant reinvention.
New York was also a meeting point for global professionals navigating rapid organizational change. The rise of remote work, digital transformation, and skills-based talent wars meant that HR had to evolve, and fast. The conference’s location allowed professionals from across industries and countries to engage with this evolution head-on. It became a convergence zone for dialogue on Workforce Planning, Employee Experience, and Talent Management, shaped by a backdrop that knew all about hustle, change, and ambition.
OHRM Con’s placement in New York wasn’t just about geography it was a nod to the pulse of global HR. In a world where speed and innovation reign, this city mirrored the urgency and potential of a field that was transforming before our eyes.
What to Expect at OHRM Con 2015
Thought Leaders Shaping the Future of HR
OHRM Con 2015 isn’t just another conference, it’s where bold ideas meet real-world applications. The speaker lineup reflects the kind of innovation and relevance that today’s HR professionals are hungry for. These are voices shaping the next era of workforce strategy, digital transformation, and open collaboration.
David Axmark, co-founder of MySQL and advisor to MariaDB, brings decades of expertise in open source ecosystems and dual licensing models. His insights go beyond code; they tap into how collaborative software models can drive down costs, foster flexibility, and enhance HR system scalability. His participation is a direct nod to the growing influence of Open Source Software in HR infrastructure.
Lee Congdon, CIO at Red Hat, has spent over 25 years in IT and strategic transformation. His work exemplifies the connection between technology and business value, particularly in Workforce Planning and delivery systems that scale to meet employee and organizational needs. With Red Hat at the forefront of enterprise open source, Lee’s perspective will help attendees reframe how they align HR operations with evolving tech capabilities.
Dr. Richard Johnson brings an academic lens to the discussion. As Department Chair at the University at Albany, his research in HR Analytics, e-learning, and digital transformation offers a forward-thinking view of how data can deepen our understanding of the employee experience. Dr. Johnson dives into how HR professionals can leverage analytics not only to measure engagement and performance, but to proactively shape organizational culture and learning pathways.
Together, these speakers represent a bridge between technology, data, and people, precisely what HR needs in an increasingly competitive, digital-first world.
Sessions that Deliver Real Value
OHRM Con 2015 isn’t about theory. It’s about action, experimentation, and progress. The agenda is stacked with sessions designed to solve problems HR professionals face every day, whether it’s rolling out a new system, increasing retention, or improving team performance.
Panel discussions bring multiple perspectives to the table, from practitioners in mid-sized companies to tech visionaries from global firms. These are candid conversations designed to unpack real-world challenges in Talent Management and Performance Management, offering tools and frameworks that participants can adapt immediately.
Workshops allow attendees to go hands-on with OrangeHRM tools, including the much-anticipated Applicant Tracking Module. It's more than a product launch, it’s an opportunity to explore how recruitment tech can be intuitive, customizable, and aligned with a company’s broader Employee Experience strategy.
Training sessions are practical deep-dives that help teams implement what they’ve learned on the ground. With guidance from product specialists and system architects, users can improve their understanding of workflows, automation, and configuration, unlocking better ROI and user adoption rates across their organizations.
The whole conference is designed to elevate skills while also opening the door to a new era. Each reason above aligns with a major organizational goal, innovation, learning, operational excellence, and talent retention. That’s what makes OHRM Con in New York not just a destination, but a turning point for HR professionals ready to evolve with the industry collaboration. As Human Capital Management continues to evolve, OHRM Con is the kind of event where conversations become strategies, and ideas move quickly toward execution.
Five Reasons Not to Miss OHRM Con 2015
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Explore the frontier of open source HR solutions. With open source becoming a serious contender in enterprise environments, this conference lets you talk directly to the people shaping its role in HR.
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Engage with hands-on workshops and expert panels. These aren’t lectures, they’re collaborative problem-solving environments where you can walk away with new tools and approaches to tackle ongoing challenges in Workforce Engagement.
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Experience tailored training with OrangeHRM tools. Learn how to get the most from your systems from applicant tracking to employee performance, so you can strengthen retention and improve process efficiency.
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Take home practical best practices for your HR team. With a mix of strategy and real-world implementation examples, you’ll gain takeaways that can immediately improve your HR Compliance and team coordination.
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Immerse yourself in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Between keynotes and workshops, you’ll be just steps away from NYC’s October events, like the Film Festival and Oktoberfest, making this a cultural and professional highlight all in one.
More Than a Conference, A Community Movement
Building a Community Around Open Source HR
What makes OHRM Con in New York distinct isn’t just its sessions or skyline, it’s the growing movement behind it. For the first time, HR professionals, technologists, and developers are gathering under one banner: open source. This isn't a trend; it's a shift in values. Transparency, flexibility, and community-driven development are no longer just tech ideals, they’re reshaping HR Technology itself.
Open source principles allow HR teams to tailor their tools to fit evolving needs. Instead of waiting for vendor updates or navigating locked systems, professionals can collaborate, iterate, and implement custom features that make sense for their people. That’s collaboration with immediate, measurable value.
But beyond the codebase, the community element is vital. HR professionals around the world face similar challenges from aligning policies across cultures to engaging remote workforces. At OHRM Con, that shared experience creates more than knowledge exchange, it creates kinship. It’s this environment of openness and inclusivity that encourages the kind of innovation large, closed systems can’t replicate.
This movement aligns with how today’s HR must operate: more agile, more transparent, and more in tune with the people it supports. By embracing Open Source Software, organizations are not just optimizing workflows, they’re participating in a broader shift toward co-created, human-centered solutions in HR.
OrangeHRM’s New Module and What It Means for You
If open source represents the “why” behind the movement, OrangeHRM’s new Applicant Tracking Module represents the “how.” Launched during OHRM Con, this tool isn’t just a product demo, it’s the beginning of a smarter, more integrated approach to hiring and development.
The module simplifies the entire recruitment pipeline from job posting to candidate selection, offering a user-friendly interface and workflow customization that rivals enterprise-level platforms. But more importantly, it connects seamlessly with OrangeHRM’s existing suite, linking hiring data to Performance Management and Talent Management in real time.
Imagine this: a high-performing hire is flagged during onboarding and placed on a leadership track within their first year. Because performance data and candidate profiles are connected from the start, teams can identify high potential employees earlier and track their growth continuously, not reactively. That’s how smart systems drive better people's outcomes.
The module also brings new efficiency to internal mobility. Existing employees looking to grow can be matched to new roles based on performance indicators and historical evaluations, creating a virtuous cycle of Employee Engagement and opportunity. This isn’t just automation, it’s HR intelligence that helps build future-ready teams.
And for organizations serious about reducing time-to-hire and increasing retention, the Applicant Tracking Module is more than a tool, it’s a cornerstone. It enables hiring managers to make decisions backed by data and ensures that HR strategy isn’t just aligned with business goals, it’s leading them.
With these capabilities in hand, the launch of this module at OHRM Con feels symbolic. It signals a step forward not just for OrangeHRM, but for any HR team ready to embrace technology that grows with them, not around them.
FAQ Section
What makes this conference different from others?
Unlike traditional HR conferences that often spotlight proprietary software or corporate-sponsored tools, OHRM Con in New York centers around open source and the power of community-driven development. It’s the first of its kind, where collaboration, transparency, and adaptability are at the core of every session. With a strong focus on HR Technology, innovation, and practical implementation, attendees leave with not just ideas but actual solutions and partnerships that scale.
How does open source benefit HR departments?
Open source solutions allow HR teams to break free from the limitations of vendor-locked systems. You can customize features, adapt workflows, and integrate across platforms without waiting for permission or updates. This flexibility is crucial for areas like Workforce Planning, Talent Management, and Performance Management, where agility and precision often drive success. Plus, being part of an open source ecosystem means you benefit from continuous contributions by a global HR and tech community.
Is this only for tech-savvy professionals?
Not at all. OHRM Con is designed for everyone invested in improving HR systems, regardless of their technical background. Whether you're focused on Employee Experience, strategy, compliance, or innovation, the sessions are tailored to be accessible and actionable. Plus, with OrangeHRM-led training and live demos, anyone can walk away with new tools and a deeper understanding of how to implement them.
What kind of networking or learning can I expect?
You’ll connect with global peers, open source pioneers, and HR influencers in an environment that’s collaborative rather than commercial. Expect to engage in deep conversations around HR Analytics, organizational design, digital adoption, and more. Workshops and panels will cover everything from hands-on product training to high-level discussions on the future of HR. It’s a one-of-a-kind chance to share, learn, and grow with others committed to redefining how HR works.