Looking to further automate your organization? Payroll might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, payroll management offers plenty of opportunities to work smarter, faster, and more securely. Advances in AI, cloud technology, and compliance are accelerating this transition. How can you future-proof your payroll? That was the key focus of the Future Proof Payroll & Time Event on March 20 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
Payroll: from stable to strategic
Does it feel like payroll processes have remained unchanged for years? That’s true—but change is coming fast. During the Future Proof Payroll & Time Event, organized by SAP SuccessFactors and SD Worx, experts and users shed light on the new possibilities for your organization.
“Payroll may feel like a stable pillar within your organization”, said Simon Humphreys, SAP Global Solution Architect. “But now is the time to embrace transformation. Four technological innovations are shaping the future of payroll: cloud-based payroll, AI, compliance monitoring, and payroll add-ons. Organizations that adopt these developments not only save costs and time but also leverage payroll strategically.”
Lower costs, greater possibilities
For a long time, organizations were hesitant about moving payroll to the cloud, mainly due to concerns about privacy and security. However, that reluctance is fading as the benefits become clear: lower IT costs, reduced maintenance, and automated compliance with legal regulations. Payroll add-ons are enhancing this transformation, offering applications that integrate with HR systems and time tracking.
The power of AI and continuous payroll
AI is unlocking new opportunities in payroll, Humphreys explained. “Let’s be honest: most employees don’t fully understand their payslip. Yes, they check the final amount, but the breakdown remains unclear. AI changes this with interactive payslips and automated answers to salary-related questions, reducing the burden on HR teams.”
AI also plays a crucial role in compliance. SAP automatically processes around 700 legal changes globally each year. “Errors or missed regulations can result in significant financial and reputational damage. AI minimizes these risks”, Humphreys added.
New technologies are making payroll not only more efficient but also more flexible. Continuous payroll replaces the traditional monthly payroll run with an ongoing process, allowing errors to be detected and corrected in real-time. “Employees expect more control over their salaries, such as pay-on-demand”, said Humphreys. “This enables them to decide when they get paid, helping them with financial planning.”
Automating payroll: where to start?
In his session, Humphreys outlined the key trends, challenges, and opportunities in payroll. But the next question was: how can organizations get started? And how does SAP Employee Central Payroll work? To dive deeper, the event’s afternoon sessions were divided into two tracks: one for companies already using SAP Employee Central Payroll and another for those new to the solution.
For attendees unfamiliar with SAP Employee Central Payroll, Wouter Rademaker, Solution Advisor at SAP, provided a deep dive. In his demo, he showcased the dashboard of this intelligent payroll solution and its key functionalities. He emphasized the importance of a payroll system that ensures reliability. “As Simon Humphreys mentioned earlier: few employees truly understand their payslip. They simply expect it to be correct. And it should be. That responsibility lies with your organization—and with us.”
Next, Bruno Bianchi, Global Executive Advisor at SAP SuccessFactors, led an interactive session where attendees analyzed their own payroll processes. How does your payroll work today? Where do you want to go? And how urgent is the need for change? “What if you could reduce your payroll systems from 20 to just four? It may seem impossible, but with the right approach, more is achievable than you might think”, he stated.
Taking the leap: stories from the field
Organizations that take the jump to cloud-based payroll will immediately notice the benefits. Such as the Dutch Railways (NS). “Every year, we onboard around 5,000 new employees”, explained Vincent Boeschoten from NS. “With over 21,000 employees in total, having a solid HR foundation is essential. That includes smart and efficient payroll processes. SD Worx supported us in this transformation, and we are extremely pleased with the results. It has saved us a tremendous amount of work.”
Flink and PostNL also took the leap to SAP Employee Central Payroll. Rick Scheepers from Flink and Jack Naude from PostNL shared their transformation stories at the end of the day. Their key takeaway? “You can wait, but the urgency to move to the cloud is only growing”, said Naude. “The benefits are immediate, so take the jump today.”
SAP SuccessFactors and SD Worx: stronger together in payroll transformation
Sanne Noordam, Head of SAP SuccessFactors Benelux, and Raymond Schröder, Commercial Director at SD Worx SAP Solutions Netherlands, concluded the day. Their message: SAP SuccessFactors and SD Worx provide not only the technology but also the expertise and tools to guide companies through a successful payroll transformation. The future of payroll is all about flexibility, automation, and integration. That’s how you make your payroll future-proof, smarter, more efficient, and user-friendly.
Want to learn how your organization can take the step toward future-proof payroll processes? Please contact Marjolein de Wit (marjolein.de.wit@sap.com) from SAP to explore the possibilities.
