Connected services are here to stay
Softline Pastel Payroll’s connected services division enables SMEs to extend their desktop payroll with an online solution that will ease the growing burden of HR managers and payroll administrators.
Connected services include a web-based self-service tool that enables employees to manage and maintain their own information online. Employees are able to make online applications for:
- Leave;
- Loans;
- Bursaries; and
- Travel claims.
They are also able to view their payslips and update personal information no matter where they are - as long as they have an Internet connection.
“The Internet is here to stay and its capacity and connectivity have tangibly improved recently, providing an increasingly compelling service at very competitive prices,” says Philip Meyer, technology director at Pastel Payroll.
Meyer says that the number of new entrants into the market adopting online business software is increasing. This poses the question of how to bridge the gap between the growing trend towards online software and the traditional desktop application users in the same market segments.
“The adoption of what many consider to be commercial uses for the Internet is a steady process. The switch from legacy desktop applications to the cloud is proving to be gradual rather than a rush to jump on the bandwagon.”
4 advantages of connected services
1. These aid dual-deployment business software models, such as client-side hosted applications.
2. This department has workflow capabilities based on the organisation chart or a specific workflow order per online form. Once an employee applies for leave online and the manager approves it, the payroll system is automatically updated. The software also provides for leave scheduling, which is particularly practical over traditional December holidays when ‘skeleton staff’ are required. The program helps to manage minimum staff levels by providing system warnings.
3. Connected services enable traditional desktop applications to update over the Internet with minimal intervention from the end-user of the software. Customers no longer need to visit a website to download and install updates manually and install CD versions. The software now does it all for you. The days of CD-based updates and disruptive installation and implementation cycles are over.
4. You can receive RSS feeds to your desktop notifying you of legislative and tax changes, and new system software releases so that you are always on track and up to date.
