An integrated and customisable payroll, human resources and employee self-service software suite enables users to manage individual and group remuneration in real time within one Structured Query Language (SQL) database. This includes a full audit trail, says payroll software developer Sage VIP MD Anton van Heerden.

The software suite, called VIP People, caters to the diverse and often quite complex payroll and human resources challenges faced by South African organisations, especially those with a large number of employees, he says.

It also effectively incorporates Sage VIP’s extensive experience in the human resources and payroll industry, ensuring that companies are legislatively com- pliant, while maintaining a focus on business efficiency and value, states Van Heerden.

“VIP People is the result of years of interaction with our clients, learning how they operate and incorporating best practices and procedures,” he explains.

For example, the VIP People suite can record and manage details of external payments, such as garnishees, bond payments and revenue services, besides others. The software suite also creates remuneration structures containing all the payroll definitions applicable to a specific individual or group of employees, which streamline payment processes, Van Heerden adds.

“Unlimited companies can be created per database and pay periods can be viewed two years in advance. “Users can view leave transactions against the country’s calendar and leave is managed according to company- specific policies. Multiple medical-aid providers, with their various option plans, can be created,” he says.

Complex calculations and customisa- tion can be done on reports. The software suite is designed to function in real time, he explains.

“The software suite uses a friendly and familiar user interface, with the ability to customise the work space for each user according to his or her preferences. The secure design of VIP People employs best-practice principles to ensure maximum security and control,” he notes.

Development of the software was completed in August 2011. The software suite was then sold in a controlled environment to a small number of companies. This ensured that it functioned smoothly before the formal launch of the product, says Van Heerden.

Insurance company King Price was the first live user of VIP People.

“We like the fact that the software suite is scalable and that it can grow and expand as our requirements change. “Secondly, it is easy to use. I was put in a position where I had to submit equity reports at short notice and, by using VIP People, I was able to submit on time, with ease,” says King Price Insurance financial director Basil Song.

Existing customers of VIP’s current payroll offerings will have the choice to continue with their existing software or buy the VIP People offering, with full support from Sage VIP resources. The roll-out into Africa is scheduled for 2014, concludes Van Heerden.