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Payroll integration is a business advantage. How do you make it happen?

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3 months ago

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digital economy

Integration forms the modern digital economy’s backbone, along with the cloud and broadband internet

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Business silos have their purpose, but they are not effective. Connect the dots, and the results pay handsomely. This wisdom can revolutionise payroll operations and employee relationships. What should companies know about integrating payroll (or other operations)?

The case for integration

In Charles Duhigg’s award-winning book Habits, he tells the story of Tony Dungy, the first African-American head coach to win the Superbowl, the peak of competitive American Football. Dungy’s success hinged on a central principle: keep practising the team until their plays became reactions. The team that doesn’t have to think to respond is quicker than the one that does. The more integrated the team is, the better it performs.

Sports teams are a fitting comparison for organisations. They rely on their players’ individual skills and talents, yet those players don’t succeed if everyone is isolated and there are significant delays between them. Businesses call these ‘silos’. Silos are not bad. Like a talented player, a silo creates a safe space for people and processes to flourish. But if they are too isolated, they quickly lose their effectiveness.

The answer is integration, says Warren van Wyk, Director at PaySpace, “Silos are important but have their limits. It’s tempting to try and remove those silos, but that is often the wrong approach. It’s much more effective to integrate silos by connecting them through special channels. The concept works well in business, and it works incredibly well in modern technology.”

Today’s digital systems thrive through integration, often called the ‘API economy’. An API (application programming interface) is software that translates instructions between two systems. For example, rather than multiple applications having copies of a database, they can all draw information from a central database via its API, cutting down on duplication and confusion.

Integration forms the modern digital economy’s backbone, along with the cloud and broadband internet. When businesses integrate their primary systems, they produce substantial benefits.

Payroll that works for everyone

Payroll systems offer a practical example of this dynamic. Payroll is typically isolated. Though it might share some connections with other business systems, such as HR and finance, the information is often added manually and usually by a handful of people who crunch payroll runs at monthly intervals.

An isolated payroll system is not a benefit

This is labour-intensive, prone to errors, opens opportunities for fraud, and stops payroll from becoming a living part of the organisation. Yet payroll is crucial to every company. Miss a salary run or miscalculate remuneration, and you quickly have angry employees. Isolated payrolls also drag down the speed of leave applications and are often marginalised in financial discussions.

“An isolated payroll system is not a benefit,” says van Wyk. “Even if it works, I can guarantee it is still inefficient and lacks visibility. Many CFOs and other finance professionals have a very hands-off relationship with payroll, which doesn’t make sense as it’s often their biggest and most complicated expenditure. But the reason they end up there is because it’s easy for payroll to fall into a silo rut.”

Getting payroll integration right

Integration overcomes the silos and marginalised operations in a business. It can be a complicated journey but with great benefits. Smooth the transition with these tips:

  • Look for an HR, finance or ERP platform that offers payroll integration options. Outdated and legacy software struggles with integration, while new-generation cloud-native platforms are natural. These platforms can partner with other modern software, such as cloud-native and multi-tenant payroll platforms with native API capabilities.
  • Embrace APIs. Some providers work around integration shortcomings by using flat files or other tricks. However, an API approach is the only truly effective and long-term way to invest in integration for payroll or any other business area.
  • Involve the system’s users. The departments and people who use those systems are crucial to helping plan and design the relevant processes and data. Manage integration through collaboration, not dictation.
  • Take stock of in-house skills. Larger enterprises with substantial IT skills may have some of what they need for integration projects. Using these skills will help reduce project costs and improve delivery times. But integration is specialised—don’t make the mistake of thinking in-house technologies can do it all. They will need complementing partner skills and experience.
  • Explore Integration Platform as a Service (iPaas) Tools. These toolsets enable you to rapidly build powerful applications, data and API integrations from a single interface in minutes using a low code integration platform. This could result in substantial savings if you have the in-house technical skills that are not necessarily specialised back-end sleepers.
  • Vet your integration partner. An integration partner brings experience and skills to the table. They should be able to demonstrate their project history and provide reference sites. Select partners that do their homework, especially towards understanding the specific systems you want to integrate.
  • Go cloud-native. Genuine cloud-native systems support integration, digital workflow design, and business process management. The best sign of a cloud-native system is a single-instance, multi-tenant platform, meaning one cloud software serves multiple customers. This model powers SalesForce, Slack, Microsoft 365, and other cloud-era giants. Cloud-native software is more affordable, faster to integrate, and future-proof.

Not sure where to start? Contact specialists such as PaySpace to discuss your payroll integration options, and start making this crucial business silo a team player in your enterprise.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PaySpace.

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CLG Joins African Energy Week 2024 (AEW) as Platinum Sponsor as Proactive Policies Entice African Energy Investment

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2 hours ago

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September 25, 2024

By

CLG

During AEW: Invest in African Energy, CLG will delve into the state of play of Africa’s energy policies

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 25, 2024/APO Group/ — 

In line with its commitment to unlock Africa’s energy market potential, pan-African legal, tax and business advisory conglomerate CLG has joined this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town – as a platinum sponsor. During the event, CLG will participate in high-level panel discussions, workshops and project showcases, spotlighting lucrative opportunities across Africa’s entire energy value chain.

With a strong presence across both the regional and international market, CLG has established itself as the go-to advisor for global investors seeking commercial opportunities in Africa. The firm offers unique insight into the African energy market and leverages its expertise to support deals and new investments. At AEW 2024, the firm will facilitate deal-signing and negotiations in line with a shared goal to make energy poverty history by 2030.

CLG has positioned itself as a reliable facilitator of deals between African stakeholders and global investors, fast-tracking the flow of investments and expediting project rollout

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Renowned for its innovative and flexible approach to meeting the diverse needs of its clients, CLG has supported various strategic projects in Africa. In May 2024, the firm negotiated a deal between Africa + Rain Cage Ltd. – a subsidiary of global cleantech firm Rain Cage Carbon – and Nigerian energy firm Sapele Power to decarbonize the Sapele Thermal Power Plant. The deal facilitates the adoption of carbon storage techniques, reducing the plant’s emissions while increasing power output by an additional 1,000 MW, thereby enhancing the reliability of Nigeria’s power grid. In December 2023, CLG advised Nigerian upstream firm Oranto Petroleum Limited on the renewal of its oil exploration license in Uganda, paving the way for new investments to unlock Uganda’s oil and gas potential. As Africa continues strengthen its environment for foreign investment, CLG is poised to play a more central role in supporting transactions.

Across both emerging and established energy markets in Africa, a slate of regulatory reforms and block opportunities are cropping up under efforts to boost exploration and production. Licensing rounds, for example, are expected to be launched in markets such as Nigeria, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Angola and more, providing access to strategic acreage. Given its experience in contract negotiation, CLG offers both guidance and strategic support for companies interested in participating in African licensing rounds. Further insight will be provided at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024.

Meanwhile, as African nations revamp regulatory frameworks to create more favorable conditions for investors, CLG remains at the forefront of the continent’s energy market expansion, publishing regular insights and whitepapers to guide investors on the state of African energy policies. For example, Namibia is finalizing its local content development policy to increase local participation in energy developments and ensure the sustainable management of hydrocarbon resources. Similarly, the Republic of Congo is finalizing its Gas Master Plan to accelerate gas development and drive local involvement. To help global stakeholders navigate and capitalize on these regulatory changes, CLG released a report on Unleashing Africa’s Next Big Play: Namibia’s Emerging Oil and Gas Sector this September, highlighting prospects in Namibia and recent fiscal reform. CLG published similar reports in September and August 2024, offering guidance on regulatory changes in Nigeria and the Republic of Congo. At AEW: Invest in African Energy, CLG will explore the role of Africa’s evolving legal landscape in driving the expansion of the energy market.

“Africa is taking bold strides to revitalize its investment landscape by reforming laws and regulations. CLG has positioned itself as a reliable facilitator of deals between African stakeholders and global investors, fast-tracking the flow of investments and expediting project rollout,” stated NJ Ayuk, the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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South African (SA) Department of Communications and Digital Technologies partners with Africa Tech Festival 2024, hosts exclusive Ministerial Summit

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3 hours ago

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September 25, 2024

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Africa Tech Festival

Incorporating AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town, Africa Tech Festival 2024 will welcome 15,000 visitors, over 400 speakers, and more than 300 exhibitors

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 25, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Informa Tech, organisers of the 27th annual Africa Tech Festival (www.AfricaTechFestival.com)  2024, are pleased to announce that the South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) will be an official partner of this year’s event, taking place from 12 to 14 November in Cape Town. 

Incorporating AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town, Africa Tech Festival 2024 will welcome 15,000 visitors, over 400 speakers, and more than 300 exhibitors. Topics include enterprise tech innovation and disruption across key sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud and data centres, and green ICT.  

“Africa Tech Festival is the largest and most influential telecoms and technology event in Africa, with an audience that spans the entire ICT ecosystem, including trade and other ministries. The partnership with the DCDT is a clear indication of the South African government’s commitment to engaging with these key stakeholders from across the continent, opening dialogue, sharing insights, and working together to advance Africa’s digital transformation journey,” said Informa’s James Williams, Event Director of Africa Tech Festival.   

One of the highlights of the partnership is the AfricaCom 2024 Ministerial Summit, a closed-door VIP event bringing together close to a dozen African and international ministers from across critical sectors such as ICT, innovation, trade, finance, education, and enterprise. The Ministerial Summit will provide government leaders with a platform that facilitates discussion, collaboration, and sharing of learnings on how progressive policy is nurturing tech ecosystems, building efficient workforces, unlocking technological innovation across public and enterprise sectors, and driving Africa’s socioeconomic development.  

Another initiative that forms part of the partnership is an exclusive government pavilion at which a small group of top South African businesses, SMEs, and startups will be hosted, again reflecting top-tier support for businesses that are contributing to the country’s technology-driven agenda.  

The Africa Tech Festival presents such platform for different innovative minds to come together to explore and exchange tech solutions for Africa and the rest of the world

“The importance of collaborative efforts and partnerships in realising our goal of a connected and digitally transformed society cannot be overemphasised. The Africa Tech Festival presents such platform for different innovative minds to come together to explore and exchange tech solutions for Africa and the rest of the world. This global platform will not only afford us an opportunity to learn best practices but also afford our SMEs to market their innovative solutions to the more than 15 000 visitors from across the globe. We are committed to ensuring that Africa does not become a mere consumer of digital solutions developed elsewhere but a meaningful participant in the digital economy by being a supplier of solutions and infrastructure that are tried and tested in our shores. We are looking forward to welcoming the world to our shores.” said Ms Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, Director-General of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. 

The introduction of the Ministerial Summit, along with the official endorsement of the event by the DCDT, add significantly to the depth of Africa Tech Festival. In addition to showcasing the immensely innovative nature of the industry, the event is also a targeted networking platform for tech leaders, role-players, and investors to make a positive contribution to Africa’s successful navigation of a tech-driven future. 

Confirmed Africa Tech Festival 2024 speakers include: 

  • Faith Burn, Chief Information Officer, Eskom Holdings SOC  
  • Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne  
  • Kerissa Varma, CISO, Vodacom Group  
  • Leo Skarlatos, CEO, AT (formerly Airtel Tigo)  
  • Mary Mahuma, CIO, Southern Africa, Philip Morris  
  • Motunrayo Opayinka, Founder and CEO, Womenovate  
  • Nollie Maoto, Chief Data and Analytics Officer – Merchant Services, FNB South Africa  
  • Norbert Prihoda, Deputy CEO, Tunisie Telecom 
  • Prasanna Kumar Burri, Group Chief Information Officer, Dangote Group  
  • Samwel Magesa, Chief Data Officer, NBC Bank  
  • Simbah Mutasa, Managing Director, Bank of America  
  • Sithembile Songo, CISO, Eskom Holdings SOC  
  • Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister, Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies, The Republic of South Africa 
  • Hon. Rose Pola Pricemou, Minister, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Republic of Guinea 
  • Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, CEO, M-Pesa 
  • Brelotte Ba, Deputy CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, Orange 
  • Hazem Metwally, CEO, e& Egypt (etisalat) 
  • Christian Bombrun, Group CEO: Digital Platforms, MTN Group 
  • Faith Burn, Chief Information Officer, Eskom Holdings SOC 
  • Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne  
  • Thomas Dohmke, CEO, GitHub 
  • Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Africa, Google 
  • Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO, Cassava Technologies 
  • Morgane Imbert, CEO (South Africa), Jumia 

Register now to secure your spot and join us in shaping the future of technology in Africa: https://AfricaTechFestival.com/ 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

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State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) to Advocate Energy Security, Emission Reduction at African Energy Week 2024

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3 hours ago

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September 25, 2024

By

SOCAR

SOCAR will send a delegation of representatives to Cape Town this November for AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 25, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The National Oil Company (NOC) of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) will participate at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 conference – taking place on 4-8 November in Cape Town. During this year’s event, representatives from the Business Development Department of SOCAR are poised to discuss energy security development and emissions reduction strategies in the African oil and gas industry.

Breaking ground in the modernization of refineries in the Republic of the Congo (ROC), the NOC has shown an unwavering dedication to contributing to local content development, poverty alleviation and the equitable management of natural resources in Africa. As such, SOCAR’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 is set to drive a commitment towards sustainability and collaborative ventures with local partners.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

By engaging with local stakeholders and companies, SOCAR demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing energy development across the continent

In April, SOCAR signed three agreements with ROC’s NOC the Société nationale des pétroles du Congo (SNPC) in the fields of refinery development, training and sustainable resource management. The first agreement, an MoU on terms for the improvement and expansion of the Congolaise de Raffinage oil refinery, was signed between SNPC Director General Maixent Raoul Ominga and the President of SOCAR Roshvan Najaf. The refinery boasts a production capacity of 1 million tons of oil per year, specializing in the processing of light oil.

Meanwhile, Ominga and Najaf also signed an MoU on training between SOCAR and the SNPC, widening the NOC’s strategy to work with a reliable partner to explore its oil reserves. A third agreement was signed between the ROC’s Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the Congo Basin Arlette Soudan-Nonault and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev to promote sustainable resource management in the Central African country. The protocol of intent for the agreements aims to enhance the protection of the environment to contribute to human health, well-being and poverty alleviation while promoting equitable management of natural resources.

Najaf also met with the President Adviser for International Strategy of the ROC Françoise Joly to discuss potential cooperation in various areas of the oil and gas sector in the country. The two discussed potential collaboration in trading oil and oil-based products, developing human capital and other shared interests. Najaf and Joly also engaged in discussions regarding Azerbaijan’s global energy projects, SOCAR’s operations in multiple countries and collaborative ventures with the company’s partners.

“SOCAR’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 underscores our commitment to fostering sustainable energy solutions in Africa. By engaging with local stakeholders and companies, SOCAR demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing energy development across the continent. We look forward to their participation at this year’s conference as a testament to international dedication to a sustainable energy landscape in Africa,” states African Energy Chamber Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk.

Creating robust international partnerships is a key theme of this year’s AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference. As such, SOCAR’s participation at the event is set to deliver on global energy initiatives while enhancing resource management and human capital development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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