05. Outsourcing with icons

Payroll Services ensures Payroll Business Continuity

Payroll is an essential business process and successful payroll delivery relies on technology that is fit for purpose, robust processes and a competent, well-trained payroll team.

Every organisation is subject to somewhat unique terms and conditions of employment, requiring different combinations of people, process and technology. But what happens when something disrupts this trilogy and payroll delivery becomes vulnerable. Without considering strategies to mitigate payroll disruption, organisations will be at the mercy of any event or action that affects their people and/or technology.

Outsourcing payroll to a reputable and experienced vendor is an effective way to protect against any event that threatens payroll delivery. Organisations that outsource payroll services can save money on software, staff and training costs. They mitigate risk by having a dedicated team of experts focused on their payroll, instead of relying on internal employees. They also save time by leveraging best practice processes developed by payroll specialists.

Deciding to outsource payroll services enables an organisation to take advantage of the business continuity plans implemented and maintained by their chosen vendor. Typically, vendors that offer payroll services have well-developed and tested business continuity plans.

A payroll services supplier will protect their technology

Reputable payroll vendors have to ensure that their technology is available anytime. They invest significant sums of money in developing infrastructure that can survive adverse events that can incapacitate other organisations. This includes having secondary sites for IT infrastructure.

They may partner with data hosting centres that will provide world-class BCP strategies. Such providers ensure card access security to premises, duplicates of critical equipment, sophisticated climate control systems and backups, their own electrical sub-stations supported by back-up generators and state-of-the-art fire monitoring and control systems.

A payroll services supplier can restore quickly

Because they use world-class vendors for hosting, payroll service providers can commit to restoring services quickly; usually within an hour or two. For an organisation not well-versed in activating back-up plans, this process could take much longer. Furthermore, a payroll services supplier with significant experience has tested and refined their plans, ensuring complete preparedness for future events.

A payroll services supplier preserves your expertise

Outsourcing payroll services avoids the threat of single-point sensitivity. If an organisation risks being single-point sensitive, an event such as a natural disaster or health pandemic might present a significant threat. By outsourcing payroll services, the threat is mitigated. The payroll services team has a shared understanding of your processes and employment conditions and each team member can apply that knowledge when processing your payroll.

In conclusion

Nothing can stop a pandemic or natural disaster, but you can prepare for it by taking appropriate actions. It takes time, resources and funds to install strategies that will deliver payroll services in the face of disaster. Success requires detailed preparation, trained resources and the support of your executive team. Or, you can consider outsourcing to an experienced payroll services provider that already has rigorous business continuity plans in place. One thing is certain: an organisation can always take a payroll back in-house, but it can’t outsource it when a disaster occurs. An organisation has to be sure of its ability to deliver something as vital as the payroll in a disaster scenario.

Are you prepared?

To find out how outsourcing payroll services can protect you, contact Frontier Software here or email sales@frontiersoftware.com. You can trust Frontier Software with your payroll.


Article originally published on Public Sector Focus March 2022.