Choosing the right payroll software package can be a complicated task. We look at what may suit you best depending on the size of your organisation, and list the UK’s best-known suppliers.
Most of the big suppliers in the payroll software market offer both integrated HR and payroll packages as well as standalone payroll systems. The biggest names include Oracle, NorthgateArinso and Midland HR.
Packages offered by enterprise software vendors such as Oracle and SAP offer a higher level of integration than their standalone competitors. If you need to link payroll data into other back-office systems, then an ERP (enterprise resource planning) system may be more cost-effective – but this integration comes at a price.
Standalone packages are often chosen by smaller organisations because they are less expensive and tend to be less complicated to install. They are popular where companies have less money to spend and may only have one location.
Key suppliers in the UK HR software market
Accord Payroll
See Payroll Business Solutions below.
ADP
ADP is the largest payroll services supplier in the world. Present in 33 countries, with almost 60 years’ experience, ADP pays 33 million people around the world every payday. All levels of outsourcing can be provided, from basic processing to full business process outsourcing.
Agresso
Agresso is an international developer and distributor of integrated business information management systems, including HR and payroll, workflow and reporting tools.
Bond TeamSpirit
A division of Bond International Software, Bond TeamSpirit is a provider of HR and payroll software across a range of modules.
Carval Computing
Carval’s HR Unity Software offers solutions for HR, recruitment and training administration, payroll processing, time and attendance management, access control and employee self-service. These can be integrated, and all modules are also standalone solutions.
Cascade
Cascade is a browser-based HR system with a range of modules, including HR, payroll, workflow, learning and development, recruitment, online recruitment and timesheets, as well as self-service.
Ceridian
Ceridian offers a range of integrated HR services and software including payroll, flexible benefits, talent acquisition and employee assistance programmes.
Chris21
See Frontier Software, below.
COA Solutions
COA Solutions’ key product is Smart Business Suite, which combines core HR and payroll systems with financial management, procurement, document management and business intelligence solutions.
Frontier Software
In addition to core HR and payroll modules, Frontier Software offers integrated tools to manage recruitment and e-recruitment, learning and development, time and attendance and employee and manager self-service.
Midland HR
Midland has a range of HR and payroll software systems, and the company’s Trent HR package is a best-seller in local government and education, although it is strongest in the mid-market, with most customers having around 250 employees.
NorthgateArinso
The specialist HR, pensions, payroll and reward division of Northgate Information Systems. NorthgateArinso says more than half of customers are from the public sector, because it is able to customise its software easily for unusual employers like universities and local authorities.
Oracle
The current market leader for HR and payroll software. Oracle customers in the UK include the NHS and British Airways, and most customers are large enterprises, although Oracle offers a version of its software specifically for smaller businesses.
Payroll Business Solutions
Provides a comprehensive range of payroll products, including: Accord Payroll, a package designed for Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows 7, supporting all of the UK payroll requirements and procedures; and Payroll Bureau Service, a professional payroll bureau service to process company payrolls.
Patersons – Global HR & Software
Patersons’ online International HR and Payroll product is tailorable, flexible and integrates easily with existing systems. It is delivered as a single system under a single global contract.
plusHR
The company provides HR and payroll outsourcing services. These include HR management/administration, recruitment, performance management, learning and development, exit interviews and payroll.
Pyramid HR
Pyramid is a software house that specialises in the development of integrated payroll and HR solutions for medium and large companies. Pyramid is fully integrated, but with full security and auditing features to help you keep control of your data. It also integrates with Microsoft Office and all major report writers.
Sage HR & Payroll
Sage HR & Payroll is a new division of Sage UK, delivering integrated HR and payroll software and outsource services to organisations of all structures and sizes, while specialising in the needs of larger organisations and those with bespoke requirements. Its SnowdropKCS range of HR software solutions help manage an entire employee lifecycle.
SAP
Includes a payroll function as part of its ERP software. Has a reputation for being slow and complex to install, but the company points out that since many of its customers install SAP as part of a major change programme, challenges are to be expected. Clients include Barclays, HBOS and Revenue & Customs.
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Select Software UK
SelectPay is this software house’s payroll offering. Also provides integrated HR and payroll systems, including Select HR Web Edition, based on the latest Microsoft.NET technology. Fully customisable, featuring a drag and drop workflow designer, this product is aimed at all sizes of company.
Simply Personnel
Simply Personnel provides HR and payroll management software to small, medium and large organisations from all industry sectors. mktoMunchkin(“589-ITG-580”);
