Starting a new job should feel exciting—not frustrating. But for many new hires, the first day looks more like a blur of paperwork, login issues, and awkward questions. It’s not the kind of welcome that leaves a great impression.

Most companies think they’re doing a decent job with onboarding, but research tells a different story. Studies show that only a small percentage of employees feel their company excels at welcoming new hires. That’s a big gap—and a huge opportunity to improve through better IT planning and support.

The first few months are critical to retention. Many employees who leave within six months point to poor onboarding as a key reason. Not only does this affect morale, but it drives up costs due to turnover and retraining. The good news? A thoughtful, tech-supported onboarding process can make a real difference from day one.

The traditional onboarding process is often inefficient. New hires are stuck filling out forms, asking where to find things, and waiting for IT to catch up. At the same time, HR and IT departments are bogged down with repetitive work like tracking equipment, managing account access, and dealing with incomplete paperwork.

Typical pain points include redundant forms, unclear expectations, inconsistent processes between departments, and delays in providing access to tools and systems. These issues waste time and undermine the employee experience. Fortunately, smart IT services can fix all of this—and more.

One of the biggest improvements you can make is to start the onboarding process before the first day. As soon as a job offer is accepted, your systems should already be preparing for the new arrival. With IT support, companies can send welcome messages, set up user accounts, and ship pre-configured devices. New employees can fill out forms online, review training materials, and get introduced to team members before they even walk through the door.

Automating repetitive onboarding tasks is another major win. IT teams can help eliminate manual data entry, streamline compliance training assignments, and ensure reminders go out automatically. This frees up HR to actually connect with people, rather than manage forms and follow-ups.

Training is another area where IT makes a measurable impact. Instead of printed manuals and outdated videos, companies can provide dynamic, role-specific training using learning platforms that offer interactive content, progress tracking, and mobile access. These systems can adjust to different learning styles and ensure employees get the information they need without wasting time on irrelevant material.

Centralizing the entire onboarding experience is just as important. When all the necessary tools, documents, training modules, and communication channels are accessible from a single portal, there’s no confusion. Whether employees are in the office or remote, they can get what they need with minimal friction.

IT also enables ongoing improvement. By tracking key metrics like training completion rates, productivity timelines, and employee feedback, organizations can refine their onboarding programs over time. This data-driven approach helps identify gaps and improve the process for future hires.

Not every employee needs the same onboarding experience, and customization matters. IT allows companies to tailor onboarding to fit different roles, experience levels, and learning preferences. Whether it’s assigning a mentor, curating training paths, or scheduling regular check-ins, technology can help deliver a more personalized and effective start.

Managers also play a vital role—but they often lack the time or tools to be fully involved. IT platforms can help by providing reminders, assigning specific tasks, and gathering feedback to keep everyone aligned. With the right system in place, managers can stay connected to their new team members without the process becoming overwhelming.

Ultimately, onboarding is about setting people up for success. That means reducing delays, simplifying access, and making room for real human connection. When IT handles the background work—automation, coordination, and analytics—your team can focus on what truly matters: building confidence, clarity, and momentum.

If you’re ready to transform your onboarding process, we’re here to help. Reach out to learn how the right IT tools and strategies can create a better first day—and a stronger, more engaged team.

Adapted and rewritten from original content by The Technology Press.