Looking to reduce complexity and overhead in its infrastructure systems, this European Restaurant Franchise Management Company implemented SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll as a unique, cloud-based HR information system to centralize all HR transactional processes under one provider. The company selected Accenture to implement as well as manage the platform for more than 2,000 employees at its headquarters.
The company’s business model makes it imperative for the company to buy and sell restaurants frequently to remain competitive. To simplify personnel accounting processes, provide timely information to corporate leadership and reduce costs, the company was seeking a new payroll solution. The new solution would need to consolidate HR processes, integrate with its existing SAP Financials, business intelligence and time management systems, and provide more than 2,000 employees with self-service capabilities to directly interact with the Human Resources Information System. It was also critical for the new solution to have the ability to easily make mass updates of restaurant employee records and handle the complexities associated with adhering to multiple local business laws and collective agreements.
The company decided to implement SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll and centralize all HR transactional processes with Accenture. The cloud-based platform was the first implementation in Europe and second worldwide for a commercial enterprise. It was also implemented months before the release of the official Spanish language version of the solution to meet the company’s timeframe. With a platform that was still evolving, Accenture’s experience as the number one implementation partner for SuccessFactors solutions worldwide, and its strong alliance with SAP to resolve specific design issues, was critical.
To ensure a successful implementation of the cloud-based system, which would also need to integrate with a hosted SAP ECC financial platform and on-premise local solutions, the team utilized Accenture Delivery Methods for HCM Cloud, a proprietary tool founded in Accenture’s deep experience in implementing complex cloud-based solutions. Accenture analyzed the company’s existing HR processes, including those of external HR representatives and its payroll provider, to create an improved solution. Key features of this solution were a single communication channel for HR requests, reliable approval workflows and a single data entry/master repository for HR information.
To help achieve maximum user adoption and a smooth transition to the new system, Accenture also trained a dedicated team of trainers, in coordination with the company’s corporate training department. The team organized five centralized train-the-trainer sessions to cover key personnel, including managers of more than 130 restaurants.
The SAP SuccessFactors implementation has successfully centralized payroll operations and service management for the company’s corporate headquarters and over 100 restaurants in Spain. The new cloud-based platform provides the company with much needed flexibility in conducting its business and the ability to scale for future growth. Employees, business managers and HR administrators can now access HR information easily and quickly using the centralized platform, eliminating data errors and duplicate entries.
The first-of-its-kind implementation has improved operational efficiency, including reducing cycle times for key processes. For example, the month-end closure cycle has been reduced by two days because of simplified personnel accounting processes. Moreover, with Accenture providing consolidated HR and payroll services, the company has saved 30 percent in personnel and payroll management costs.
Accenture’s strong alliance with SAP and expertise with complex implementations were key to the project’s success.
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